First stage of plan to transform historic Plymouth harbour is unveiled
THE first phase of work to transform Plymouth's historic Sutton Harbour has been unveiled – with the creation of a new pedestrian boardwalk featuring restaurants, shops and cafes.
The free-standing timber structure, which would link Guys Quay and Vauxhall Quay for the first time, is a feature of a multi-million-pound scheme to redevelop Sutton Harbour.
Plans have now been submitted to city planners, and developers have promised the project will boost visitor numbers and create jobs.
It is the first stage of a £75million masterplan drawn up by developers Sutton Harbour Holdings which was revealed by The Herald in November to promote the harbour as a national destination.
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The planning application submitted this week is for a free-standing, timber-clad pedestrian boardwalk created to link Guys Quay and Vauxhall Quay, allowing visitors to stroll along a large section of the harbourside alongside new waterside restaurants and shops.
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Jason Schofield, chief executive of Sutton Harbour Holdings, said: "We want to transform Sutton Harbour into a national destination that celebrates Plymouth's fantastic world-class waterfront and attracts more visitors, businesses and jobs, and the boardwalk would do all these things.
"It would provide a direct pedestrian link from the southern area of the harbour to the north without having to leave the water's edge, helping to create an unbroken trail around the harbour.
"And it would offer high quality restaurant and retail uses that we want to appeal to families in particular so that we can boost visitor numbers."
The boardwalk would be constructed on steel and concrete legs, and would run from the Three Crowns pub along Vauxhall Quay towards the Sutton Harbour Marina.
It would hold three buildings made up of 20,000sq ft of space for a mixture of shops and restaurants.
Mr Schofield says the development is expected to create about 120 jobs and that there is already "firm interest" from potential occupiers should the scheme be approved.
Chris Arscott, chairman of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: "We welcome investment in the waterfront area that enables easier access between key destinations.
"We have yet to review the current waterfront application, but in principle we are keen to see enhanced pedestrian links between the historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour and access to the Bretonside area.
"It is exciting to see investment in areas of the waterfront which is essential to create new jobs and grow this city's visitor economy."
The overall masterplan includes proposals to continue the walkway right around the perimeter of the harbour and build restaurants, cafes, shops, offices and flats in underused areas of the harbour.
Bringing the proposals to life could create as many as 4,000 jobs, with a total of 350,000 sq ft earmarked for development.
An organic food outlet has already been lined up for Quay Point, while 'pop-up shops' could use a pod planned for Quay Road and a landing point for a water taxi could go next to the China House.
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Planning application made for ‘bike bus’ rental service by Plymouth’s Waterfront pub
PLYMOUTH planning bosses are to decide whether to approve an application to allow a “bike bus” to set up shop on the waterfront.
Earlier this week The Herald revealed Plymouth City Council was aiming to breathe new life into the foreshore by encouraging firms – including cafes and bike rental businesses – to make use of empty fisherman’s storage arches at Commercial Wharf.
However, the council has received a planning application from Andrew Thompson who aims to set up Plymouth Bike Hire in a converted single decker bus within the car park of the Waterfront restaurant and pub on Grand Parade.
According to the application, the bus will hold the bikes which can be rented to members of the public.
The single decker will be “suitably wrapped displaying company logo and purpose” and will sit on “a small piece of unused land within a car park marked ‘no parking’”.
The application states there will be five part-time employees and the hours of business will be between 8am to 7pm each day of the week including Bank Holidays.
The application will be decided at a later date by a planning officer.
Sutton Harbour plan is latest in series of projects to breathe new life into Plymouth
THE plan to redevelop Sutton Harbour is the latest in a series of projects aimed at breathing new life into Plymouth’s waterfront
Earlier this week The Herald reported on a bid to turn key locations along the shore, including Commercial Wharf and the Royal William Yard, into bike-friendly attractions.
The £670,000 plan would see empty fisherman’s storage arches refurbished to allow small businesses to set up shops or cafes.
The scheme also outlines plans to improve cycling paths and racks along the waterfront to link the Barbican, the Hoe, Tinside Pool, Millbay and Royal William Yard.
Sutton Harbour Holdings is pushing ahead with plans to develop a new 179-berth marina at Millbay, while the Waterfront could soon be home to traditional traders selling arts and crafts, fresh fish and fruit and vegetables.
Last year the council launched the “Get Plymouth building” campaign to spruce up neglected sites right across the city and encourage future development.
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by dthorntonparr
Monday, February 18 2013, 3:35PM
“The planning proposal is not justified and would be incompatible with the Conservation Area, of which the quay and adjacent listed buildings are part. This appears to be an opportunity for commercial exploitation by property developers with no corresponding benefits for the residents, local businesses or visitors. There is a real threat to overdevelop the area to the point where nearly every remaining open space and harbour will have a building on it.”
by philman
Monday, February 18 2013, 11:39AM
“Appalling development. The last thing the Historic harbour requires are more restaurants/bars.
They were blocked from filling in the harbour a few years ago and what do they decide to do now? They decide to put some awful monsterous development on stilts.
I would urge anyone who values the Barbican to contact the Planning Office immediately to voice their concerns before this thing is approved (not sure how it could be though by anyone in their right mind).”
by ThatWoman
Saturday, February 16 2013, 3:17PM
“Well said Walter Smith. Yes, I think The Herald employees try to drive the arrow buttons on here. It's all propaganda.”
by notolisbon
Saturday, February 16 2013, 12:01PM
“Wow! The Evening Herald actually censors comments on the relationship between councillors and developers' interests.
How is it seen as improving the lives of some Barbican residents to put huge tower blocks in front of their houses.
How many more lives are to have the sun removed from their lives by the sham councillors who are meant to be representing the Plymouth people.
Our council are turning our city into a overcrowded cesspit - conveniently similar to Labour-held northern counterparts.
Labour = social engineering, they are the creators of poverty; environmental and financial, to create a society dependent on Labour.
Why isn't the Herald investigating why our city is being degraded?”
by notolisbon
Saturday, February 16 2013, 11:51AM
“Wow! The Evening Herald actually censors comments on the relationship between councillors and developers' interests.
How is it seen as improving the lives of some Barbican residents to put huge tower blocks in front of their houses.
How many more lives are to have the sun removed from their lives by the sham councillors who are meant to be representing the Plymouth people.
Our council are turning our city into a overcrowded cesspit - conveniently similar to Labour-held northern counterparts.
Labour = social engineering, they are the creators of poverty; environmental and financial, to create a society dependent on Labour.
Why isn't the Herald investigating why our city is being degraded?”
by GreenGOM
Friday, February 15 2013, 6:27PM
“Looks good and should attract more people into the area and create much needed jobs. The Barbican and the Hoe need to improve their image and become more upmarket. let's hope this and other similar developments get the go ahead.
No I don't work for SHH or the Herald.”
by JohnWheeler48
Friday, February 15 2013, 5:38PM
“Has not Sutton Holdings and this Council damaged this city enough, one must beg the question, is it the "Planners" and "S/H" that really control this city? WHAT IS THE POINT OF A PLANNING COMMITTEE! One saving grace could be that Tudor-Evans and his cohorts are back in the chair, remember his expert handling of the Airport fiasco! My advice would be to draw a deep breath, and think, should we once again rise to the occaision and involve ourselves in high finance and intricate contract negotiations or revive the forgotton "Plan A" option and open a pasty shop for the proletariat instead.On the basis of past experience Tudor, both options may be a bridge too far.”
by an20na
Friday, February 15 2013, 4:41PM
“What is happening to our public open space? Structures for eating establishments in the Barbican were erected for the smoker, which reduced the pedestrian walking area. People didn't want to appear churlish and accepted this in good faith. The public always fall for it. Councils mostly grab public land by offering a carrot, supposedly giving the public what they want!!! Looking to the future, I wonder what they have planned for the city centre? Cafe Structure Extensions have taken over much of the grassed sitting area in Armada Way, and, pavements in the rest of the city. Plymouth always prided itself on it's wide open pavements which were a modern feature of this beautiful city. Soon one wont be able to push a buggy or disabled mobility vehicle in the street.”
by Waltersmith
Friday, February 15 2013, 3:56PM
“The development is simply more of the same. nothing different, nothing outstanding, architecturally bland, will not attract more people to the area. It doesn't look right, it clashes with the buildings behind and serves no other function than to increase the number of bars and restaurants in an area that has enough anyway.
The Barbican needs diversification not entrenchment.
You can imagine SHH, advisers, consultants - all around a desk "thought showering" - and the only 2 words to come out are "bar", "restaurant"”
by londonjanner
Friday, February 15 2013, 2:05PM
“haha the usual moaning....
If developers listened to the people on here nothing would ever get built, apparantly its always a bad idea. I'm sure though most of the moaning is to do with a certain 'other issue' involving SHH.
This idea makes a lot of sense as sutton harbour bit of the barbican is currently cut off. More investment in Plymouth, new bars and restaurants. But why would we want that hey? All these glossy buildings and fancy pants restaurants offer nothing to locals!!! It reminds me of the inhabitants of Royston Vasey on the League of gentleman! ' What's all this change, we'll have none of that here!"”