South Yard Enclave, Devonport, Plymouth
Background
Since the Second World War, the former South Yard Enclave in Devonport was owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and closed to the public for security reasons. A three-metre high wall used to surround the MOD’s land including the South Yard site and Devonport, once a thriving town in its own right, had fallen into decline from the 1960s.
The 7.3ha South Yard Enclave now forms part of the Devonport New Deal for Communities area and is therefore part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
Current Status
Site purchase was completed in July 2005 in accordance with English Partnerships’ policy of bringing forward surplus public sector land to support its regeneration objectives. A planning application to create a sustainable, mixed-use neighbourhood on the site, which was previously used for warehousing, was submitted to Plymouth City Council a month earlier.
English Partnerships has been working with Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership (DRC Partnership), the New Deal for Communities vehicle, to ensure the redevelopment proposals for the former South Yard Enclave contain the right mix of homes for sale and rent plus employment opportunities for local people.
Plans for the site include the provision of over 450 high-quality homes, a community healthcare centre, new supermarket and shops, offices and managed workspace. The historic Market Hall building will be retained and key areas have been allocated as public open space.
Redrow Homes was appointed as English Partnerships' development partner in early 2006 and a year later, in January 2007, demolition of the security wall got underway.
English Partnerships has also been working closely with DRC Partnership and the local community on the Devonport Development Framework for the entire neighbourhood. People from the area will be given the opportunity to comment on English Partnerships’ plans for the South Yard Enclave and consider how it fits in with Plymouth City Council’s overall development proposals for Devonport.
The area-wide regeneration of Devonport also received the Royal Town Planning Institute's Sustainable Communities Award in February 2007.