Philip Coombe, a former resident of the Bull Ring in Devonport started the demolition of the block of flats on Tuesday 10 June making way for a scheme providing new homes in Devonport, Plymouth. Mr Coombe lived in the Bull Ring from its opening in 1962 until June 2006.
This marks the start of a scheme creating new homes in Plymouth regenerating the Ker Street area of Devonport. The first phase of the development will provide 62 new homes with 48% being affordable housing.
Mr Coombe commented at the event, “You're bound to feel a bit emotional after all that time but, come the end, I was glad to get out. I'm hoping the new development will bring back some of the community spirit.”
The team of Devon and Cornwall Housing, Midas Homes and Lacey Hickie Caley architects is the same one that created award winning Gun Wharf in Devonport, which won a number of national awards including a gold CABE Building for Life Standard in 2006 and Best Housing-Led Regeneration Project in the 2006 Regeneration Awards. Now at Ker Street the award-winning team is joined by Westco Properties, part of Devon & Cornwall Housing group.
Teresa Butchers, Group Chief Executive said, “We are delighted that this next phase of the work is starting in Devonport. The partnership between Plymouth City Council, Midas Homes and DCH has worked incredibly well, but none of it would have happened without the enormous input from the Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership and the many local residents giving up their time for the benefit of the community. Special thanks to them for their hard work and commitment."
Pictures courtesy of Apex Corporate Photography
