Armada Way plan approved by council

A DATE has finally been set for work to start on the long-awaited transformation of Armada Way, which Plymouth City Council claims will be a “catalyst for change”.

- ALISON STEPHENSON

The council’s cabinet unanimously approved final costs for the £30 million project this week, after making savings of £7 million.

It is understood to be one of the largest public space projects in the UK. The cost to taxpayers will be £11.2 million and could reduce further through grant funding and developers’ contributions, cabinet members were told.

Work will begin on October 1 in an area around the Copthorne Hotel, with phase two starting in February. Phase three, which includes Cornwall Street and the Armada Dial will begin next July.

Works to The Piazza area (phase four) will be tied in with improvements to Royal Parade. The scheme will cover an area the size of three football pitches and include a play village the size of five tennis courts, seating for 500 people, a new CCTV system, new lighting and more than 5,000 square metres of green space, similar to the size of the park on West Hoe. There will be new six metre granite walkways and a cycle path of about a third of a mile. It will be a venue for pop-up theatre, festivals and events during the day and night and create a cafe culture.