Plans submitted for new homes in Plymouth housing estate

The proposals would see 10 blocks of maisonettes replaced with 106 new apartments in Barne Barton

How the housing estate could look if plans are approved
Author: Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 11th Nov 2020

Plans have been submitted for new homes in a £35million regeneration of a housing estate at Barne Barton in Plymouth.

The proposals from Sanctuary Housing for Talbot Gardens would see 10 blocks of maisonettes replaced with 106 new apartments, 12 houses and a 60-bed care home.

The homes would range from one to four-bed properties.

The social housing provider says the redevelopment would “completely transform the area into a modernised, thriving estate.”

Work started in June to demolish the blocks at Talbot Gardens, including one damaged in an arson attack in 2018.

Sanctuary said in a statement on Tuesday it had now submitted a planning application for the redevelopment scheme to Plymouth City Council.

It said: “Proposals for the regeneration have been drawn up following close consultation with residents from the blocks, stakeholders and the wider Barne Barton community.

“As part of this work, Sanctuary has also been in detailed conversations with individual leaseholders of homes on the estate and has completed the buyback of almost a third of the dwellings.

“Sanctuary would welcome conversations with further leaseholders about their plans and the purchasing options for their properties.”

John Hanson, Sanctuary’s director of regeneration, said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone in our plans for Barne Barton and share our vision for the future of the estate.

“Close working with residents and the wider community has been integral through this process and their feedback has helped shape these exciting proposals.

“Subject to planning approval, the regeneration will not only provide a mix of high-quality new housing and breathe new life into the community, it will provide a number of employment opportunities through the construction process and in the new care home which will boost the local economy.”

More details will be available when the city council validates the planning application and publishes the documents on its planning website.

A document submitted to the city council in the summer ahead of the planning application gave an outline of what was proposed for the five-acre site in St Budeaux.

The information then showed 98 one and two bedroom flats in four buildings of up to six floors, with covered parking.

The regeneration scheme would also see 12 three and four bedroom town houses and a 60-bed care home with a cafe.

A statement on behalf of the social housing provider said: “Residents will all have access to communal facilities including beautiful shared courtyard gardens and play areas, as well as allocated parking and cycle storage.”

It said sustainability measures such as solar panels were being explored to help Plymouth Council meet its CO2 emissions reduction target.

The document from planning consultants Pegasus Group added: “The local community will benefit from the proposed woodland grove and public square area which will provide a place to meet, play and enjoy the outdoors, with a link through to Blackie Woods.”

In a separate scheme at Barne Barton, Clarion Housing Group is demolishing 25 blocks nearby in the area around Wilkinson Road to build 204 new affordable homes.

Sanctuary says residents can continue to provide feedback directly on its plans or ask questions by calling 0800 917 0477 from a landline, 0300 123 3590 from a mobile, or emailing BarneBarton@sanctuary-housing.co.uk.

More information about the scheme is on Sanctuary’s website at www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk/talbot-gardens-barne-barton-regeneration.