Work begins on 125 new affordable homes in the north of Plymouth
Construction has begun on 125 much-needed affordable homes in Southway, in the north of Plymouth, as Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) and Plymouth City Council came together on site earlier this week to mark the start of the work.
The scheme was awarded full planning permission in 2025 before vital grant funding from Homes England was later secured to enable building work to begin through PCH’s appointed contractor Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes.
PCH is Plymouth’s largest social housing landlord with 16,000 properties providing homes to over 35,000 people in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. The organisation has a growth strategy to deliver 1,500 new affordable homes in the area over the next five years to help meet local housing need, with the Southway development forming a key part of that aim, along with a wider ambition to grow across the Devon and Cornwall region over the next 10 years.
The Southway site, previously home to a paper-converting mill, was purchased by PCH from Vistry in June 2023. The land forms part of a wider area which received planning permission in March 2007 for 490 homes.
The plans involve delivering 125 new, energy efficient affordable homes in a sought-after residential suburb of Plymouth, and were shaped and informed by a community consultation held in 2023, gathering valuable feedback from local residents.
The development will include a mixture of detached and semi-detached properties, including 41 two bedroom, 38 three bedroom and 10 four-bedroom homes, as well 21 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments. These apartments will be delivered across four three-story buildings.
All homes will have access to an outdoor space or garden, while residents living in the apartments will have access to green communal spaces, with a blend of traditional and modern architectural features used throughout the development.
Parking provision will include 221 spaces, delivered through parking courts, parking bays and on-plot parking, including 97 electric vehicle charging points, alongside secure covered cycle parking.
Landscaping will enhance the area with 34 new street trees, 2,751 hedgerow species, and 2,918 shrubs. The development will also aim to achieve a 15.84% reduction in carbon emissions beyond 2021 Building Regulation standards.
The new community will benefit from established local schools, nearby amenities and strong transport links, making Southway an attractive and well-connected place to live.
Chris Brook, Executive Director of Place at Plymouth Community Homes, said:
“We are delighted that work is now underway on 125 new affordable homes in this sought-after part of Plymouth, a scheme which is huge for both Plymouth Community Homes and for the city of Plymouth.
“The Southway development will be a community of 100% affordable homes which is very unusual for a scheme of this size, and there will be a generous mix of homes of different sizes for both individuals and families with 81 made available for social rent to those in housing need, as well as 44 for shared ownership purchase.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Vistry, Homes England and Plymouth City Council as we move ahead with our growth strategy, as well as our long term ambitions for the wider Devon and Cornwall region, to provide even more high quality, affordable housing for local people and families who need it most.”
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Cooperative Development at Plymouth City Council, said:
“With the housing crisis continuing to take its toll in Plymouth and beyond, I am so very pleased to see work begin here in Southway and I’d like to thank PCH and Vistry for bringing it forward.
“These homes will be vital to ensuring that so many of the families on our housing waiting list one day have a permanent place to call home and I look forward to seeing construction progress.”
Fred Thomas, Labour Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View, said:
“I am really pleased to see that work is getting underway on this site in Southway.
“We have a housing crisis in Plymouth, that is replicated across the country, and it is vital that we get building on appropriate sites like this one.
“I’m excited for the day that local people – who have been on the housing waiting list for a long time – get the keys to these new homes.”
Peter Sadler, Managing Director of Vistry Devon & Cornwall said:
“It’s great to see this site moving forward at pace, knowing that once complete it will make a significant contribution to the area’s affordable housing supply.”
Shahi Islam, Director of Affordable Housing Grants at Homes England, said:
“As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality, affordable homes remains one of our key objectives, and we are committed to supporting Plymouth Community Homes in achieving its ambitions.
“The start of construction on site marks an important milestone for Southway Drive and is a strong example of how we work collaboratively with partners to create thriving communities that people can be proud of.”
The first homes are anticipated for completion by early 2027. All available homes to rent will be advertised on Devon Home Choice. To bid for a property or to be considered for a tenancy, registration will need to be completed using their online application form.
