£130million regeneration of Plymouth’s North Prospect reaches historic completion
The transformational £130m project, the largest regeneration scheme of its kind in the South West, began in 2012 and saw the demolition of almost 800 homes in a poor condition over the following years.
The North Prospect community now includes more than 1,100 high quality, energy-efficient new homes, offering a better variety of house types, sizes and tenures. The building works were so substantial that the construction of new homes was divided into five phases, which are now complete.
The project delivered 491 new homes made available for affordable and social rent, and 195 for purchase as shared ownership, creating overall 686 affordable homes– more than the 605 socially rented homes previously in the area. PCH also refurbished a further 300 social rented homes.
The regeneration has led to a reduction in crime in the area of 59%, and improved employment outcomes for local people.
To mark this historic milestone, PCH, the largest social housing landlord in Plymouth, today (30th September) hosted a special celebration event at both The Beacon Community Hub in the heart of North Prospect followed by a VIP reception at the Home Park Club Argyle Lounge.
Throughout the day, invited guests joined PCH staff past and present and North Prospect residents along with all those involved with the regeneration from partner organisations, including Plymouth City Council, Homes England and local developers. Guests had the opportunity to reflect on the journey of transforming the community as they learned more about the history of North Prospect, and the impact of the regeneration.
The Beacon event featured a specially designed history exhibition, curated by Plymouth Community Homes with the help of residents and local history enthusiasts. This exhibition will stay open for the next week for local people to visit, showcasing historical images, memorabilia and touching memories shared by local people.
Attendees also had the chance to tour the area during the event on a specially arranged, PCH-customised Land Train, viewing some of the redevelopment and hearing a potted commentary about the development on route.
After the morning celebration event finished, the Land Train was made available to pupils from nearby school, Mayflower Community Academy, with around 60 primary school children visiting the specially curated history display at The Beacon for part of their history studies before taking tours on the Land Train during the afternoon.
The school visit was particularly poignant for students as Mayflower Community Academy itself was built as part of the regeneration project so the celebration offered the school a chance to celebrate its own history whilst engaging pupils with their local community.
The event at The Beacon was followed by a lunchtime VIP reception where guest speakers included former CEOs of Plymouth Community Homes, John Clark and Clive Turner, as well as current CEO Jonathan Cowie, alongside Leader of Plymouth City Council, Cllr Tudor Evans OBE, also a ward councillor for Ham ward which includes North Prospect, and Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Tina Tuohy, who is a North Prospect resident and a ward councillor for the area.
Over the years, the North Prospect regeneration scheme has been shortlisted for several industry awards, including Best Project at the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence, and scooped the Best Regeneration Project awardfrom the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Before the regeneration, the area formerly known as Swilly had become synonymous with social deprivation, antisocial behaviour and crime. Initial considerations for a regeneration project began almost 30 years ago, and the work has succeeded in improving the wellbeing of residents through the strategic use of architectural features, such as open spaces to help deter antisocial behaviour.
Recently completed surveys and research have recorded that total crime in North Prospect has dropped by 59% since the regeneration, while public order offences have reduced by 76%.
From the beginning of the project, PCH sought to rehouse as many residents back into the local area as possible. Efforts were made to safeguard the rights of families with roots in the area. During the final three phases of works, more than 70% of residents were able to move back into new homes in the neighbourhood.
Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council and Ward Councillor for Ham, which includes North Prospect, said: “I’ve been the ward councillor here since 1988, so way before the regeneration started. When you think about what’s been achieved, how many homes went and how many homes have been created, and the lives that have been transformed, that money has worked out for North Prospect.”
Long-standing North Prospect resident and Plymouth Lord Mayor Cllr Tina Tuohy, described the regeneration as “a tale of two cities.”
Lord Mayor Cllr Tina Tuohy explained: “After the First World War, the North Prospect area was completely different – it was originally designed as offering ‘homes for heroes’ but the area would require change in the future.
“It’s wonderful to see that the regeneration has done just that. This is why a newly regenerated community with nice wide-open spaces and better homes is far more suitable for modern times.”
Andrew Lawrie, Head of Development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “North Prospect was once a notorious area with a reputation for antisocial behaviour. The properties in the area were built just after the First World War and suffered from a number of serious building defects, such as damp.
“The regeneration was a hugely ambitious project costing almost £130m and PCH would not have been able to deliver this without the vital grant funding we had from Homes England, in addition to help provided by Plymouth City Council.
“It’s too early to say what the lasting effect of the regeneration will be, but resident surveys already show that people feel safe in their homes, which is fantastic to see, alongside a tremendous drop in crime of 59% in the community.”
Nick Jackson, Executive Director of Business Services and Development at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “Today’s celebration marks a major milestone after many years of work to deliver the largest regeneration scheme of its kind in the South West region. We are delighted to see the final phase conclude this autumn, delivering more than 1,100 new homes for the community and for the city of Plymouth.
“This regeneration would not have been possible without the determination, passion and dedication of numerous staff both at PCH, and through our positive partnership working, especially with Plymouth City Council, and we are proud to be celebrating with our partners, stakeholders and suppliers today, as well as with our residents who live in North Prospect.”
Jonathan Cowie, Chief Executive at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “Having joined PCH a year ago, it is an honour to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, John Clark and Clive Turner, who began this work back in 2009, and then drove forward the regeneration of such a pivotal transformation for the city of Plymouth.
“Achieving a project of this scale is the result of years of hard work from talented and committed people who wanted to improve the community for the people who live there – which is our vision at PCH, to create thriving communities where people want to live, and to change lives. I have little doubt that the North Prospect regeneration will lead the way in showing the possibilities of reimagining a community.”
