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Devon & Cornwall Housing (DCH) is celebrating the success of a design group which has worked together since 2007 and has resulted in the massive regeneration of the Devonport area in Plymouth.
The Devonport design group, which includes key individuals from organisations such as: DCH, Plymouth Community Homes, Plymouth City Council, Lacy Hickie Caley architects, Linden Homes, Devonport Regeneration Community Project (DRCP) and many more, had one common goal. This goal was to turn around one of the most deprived areas in Plymouth and make it a desirable place to live.
By forming this partnership of key players it allowed people to learn and gain confidence from others and from experts in the field, positively influence decision-makers, spread best practice and maintain a platform for networking.
With everyone’s enthusiasm and commitment towards achieving the common goal positive things started to happen in Devonport.
Today Devonport houses one of the most desirable extra care schemes in Plymouth, DCH has sold 58 new homes, has developed over 92 affordable new homes, built a 16,000 sq ft office, and is home to five of the most environmentally friendly homes in Plymouth, developed on behalf of the Devonport Community Land Trust.
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Much of this has happened due to the partnership working of the Devonport design group who have met on a monthly basis since 2007.
The Devonport regeneration has won some prestigious awards. It was the national winner in the Local Authority Building Control Awards, it received a commendation in the Local Government Business Awards for Best Regeneration, and a commendation from the Landscape Institute for the design of the landscape and space.
At this celebratory meeting the partners reflect on the achievements. Tony Franklin, Head of Development for Westco, part of Devon & Cornwall Housing said: “I have been involved right from the start in this design group and it’s been rewarding to see how everyone has collaborated together to achieve such fantastic results. I probably won’t have the opportunity again to be involved in a project that has made such a massive difference to an area. The best thing about this project is not only all the fantastic design, but the fact that everyone played their part and actually made it happen”.
Neil Emery, from Lacy Hickie Caley architects said: “Devonport is a brilliant example of how lots of different organisations, all having the same objective, can work successfully together. We are urban designers so we think about all the ingredients it takes to create an attractive living environment then devise the master plan for the area. The plan for Ker Street is a result of lots of people and organisations collaborating successfully. It was the perfect project for us. There is still more work to do in Devonport which I am really excited about.”
Stuart Palmer, from Plymouth City Council said: “When you all pull together in the same direction you can conquer some huge problems. Being pragmatic and flexible without compromising the principles agreed at the outset I believe was the key to the Devonport regeneration success. The group has been the catalyst for making this happen by sharing knowledge and best practice. If I could sum up our Devonport design group I would say we don’t just talk, we make it happen too”.
Richard Connolly, group Director of Investment for Devon & Cornwall Housing said: “This is an example of our extensive work with local communities to support and generate confidence, economic growth, jobs and well being. Devon & Cornwall Housing has built 2089 affordable homes, all of which are mixed tenure developments, over the past four years”.
