Plenty of ideas on spending £20m windfall

BRINGING a disused military barracks back into use as a community hub and transforming empty shops in the high street into hive of activities for young people these are among the ideas being championed for a cash handout of £20 million for St Budeaux over the next 10 years... but residents will be the ones who will decide.

- By ALISON STEPHENSON

Bailey Tremain, Geoffrey Walker and Nicky Lane from Geoffs Family Butchers

Speaking to the ‘movers and shakers’ in the community, it’s clear that this much needed cash, announced last month by the government as part of its £5 billion Pride in Place programme to revitalise some of the country’s most disadvantaged places, will make long term change - but only if it is spent wisely.

Plymouth City Councillor for the last 20 years in St Budeaux Sally Haydon, who I met in the busy community cafe at The Barn family hub in Barne Barton, said she was waiting on the government for the next steps but there would definitely be a board of people made up of the local MP, one councillor, residents and businesses who would hold the purse strings and make decisions on where the £2 million per year for 10 years would be spent.

Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas is currently inviting people to put forward ideas.

Cllr Haydon said for too long this part of Plymouth had seen “lots of consultation and too little action” and St Budeaux Square was in serious need of some redevelopment.

“We have some empty shops and far too many takeaways, which is not helpful, and we need to do something for our youth and give them a purpose other than hanging around in empty shops.

“Here in Barne Barton we have got the regeneration that’s been going on, which includes replacing some of the old housing, but I think there is more that needs to be done.

“Much of the community work is being done by volunteers - I think a lot of things would collapse without them.”

The family hub also hosts a food-bank, representatives from Citizen’s Advice, Plymouth Community Builders, mother and toddler groups, English and maths tuition and is an all-round great place to socialise with a cuppa and bacon sandwich. The local midwives are also based there, councillors host regular surgeries and there are NHS drop-in services.