Public welcomes plans to revamp the Civic Centre

'THE SOONER THE BETTER' SAY LOCALS VIEWING THE PLANS

- By ALISON STEPHENSON Local Democracy Reporter

REGENERATION plans for Plymouth's iconic Civic Centre have gone on show for the first time this week and there seems a consensus of support that this derelict symbol of the city's post war reconstruction is coming back to life.

Plymouth City council's vision for 144 privately rented one and two-bed apartments in the 14-storey landmark, and a City College campus focusing on training people for the 25,000 job openings in Plymouth over the next decade, is going down well with the public... who say it can’t come soon enough.

Architects are also hoping there will be a public viewing point at the top of the tower block and a restaurant again, like back in its heyday.

A series of events are being held this month to consult with local residents and businesses before Plymouth City Council submits a formal planning application. Construction could start as early as next year on the £47 million scheme if there is public support.

Thousands of postcards encouraging people to share their views and their stories of the old building online are being handed out by engagement experts ECF, who have been commissioned by the council to undertake the public consultation, as they did for the Armada Way regeneration in late 2023.

Paul Grosch, who attended the first consultation event on Thursday at the piazza, said he thought the plans for the Civic Centre were "splendid, "The council has to be congratulated for trying to resurrect what was once a fine building and hopefully will be again, and with the City College element is a superb idea," he said.

"I have lived in Plymouth since 1980 and what the council is doing with Armada Way and other projects such as the community diagnostics centre are things to be proud of and we should be supporting them.

"Councils and the government are given a pretty hard time and it's about time people stood up for all the positive things they are doing."