Change on Bath Street part of regeneration plans
A key building on Bath Street is being demolished as part of the Council’s ambition to regenerate the area around Millbay.
Work to tear down the former Kier Construction office got underway this week ahead of a major redevelopment planned for the location.
The construction company has moved out of its offices and is now in Plumer House, Crownhill, after outgrowing the building which has been their home for half a century.
The Council acquired the freehold of the 75-year-old building along with a number of other properties in Bath Street to help progress the redevelopment of this part of the city.
Now the building is being knocked down as part of the Council’s plans to create a boulevard linking the sea with the city centre with over 170 new homes as well as shops, restaurants and studios.
Council leader Ian Bowyer said: “Regeneration on this scale does not happen overnight, but we’re steadily heading in the right direction. We recently held a developer’s day so that we could showcase this location and the opportunities it offers as well.
He added: “This demolition will enable us to start clearing the land and prepare the site for redevelopment.
“It is also great to see a construction company with such as strong and lasting presence in the city do so well it has outgrown its old premises.”
Kier Construction operations director Brian Rice said: “We have delivered a number of successful developments in Millbay including the award-winning Quadrant Quay and Plymouth School of Creative Arts, and the ongoing expansion of the team means we’ve outgrown our current offices.
“Whilst we were sad to leave Millbay, our new offices are well placed to help us continue to deliver high quality schemes for our clients and we look forward to seeing the regeneration of the area take shape.”
The Homes and Communities Agency has committed to financially support developments that come forward .
Regeneration plans for Millbay formed part of the biggest redevelopment scheme the city has seen since the war and huge progress has been made over the last eight years.
The first phase of the link between the Millbay and the city centre was completed last year. Called Brunel Way, it runs alongside the inner dock and was built as part of the Quadrant Quay development phase.
There are now blocks of quality homes overlooking the docks, a marina, a new school and shops and restaurants opening up.
As well as the completion of Quadrant Quay, King Point Marina has brought waterfront activity back to Millbay's refurbished inner harbour. The Plymouth School of Creative Arts on Millbay Road has been open since 2014 in addition to the award-winning Cargo developments.
