COUNCILLORS VISIT BIG BARNE BARTON REGENERATION PROJECT WITH CONSTRUCTION WORK ALL SET TO START

Plymouth councillors joined housing provider Clarion Housing Group and local residents on the site of an award-winning regeneration project in Barne Barton to mark the imminent start of work to construct more than 200 new affordable homes.

Clarion is working with contractor Lovell to transform its 1960s Barne Barton housing estate – once the largest naval settlement in the country – into a multi-million pound new mixed-tenure community comprising solely of vital new affordable homes for local people.

Cllr Rebecca Smith, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities, and St Budeaux ward members Cllr Pat Patel, Cllr George Wheeler and Cllr Sally Hayden visited the scheme as part of a special stakeholder event marking the £22m project’s latest milestone and building work beginning this spring.

Following the approval of a revised planning application earlier this year, work is now set to start on building 204 quality and sustainable new houses and apartments for social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership sale.

The ambitious Barne Barton project will transform the layout and design of the previous estate to create a thriving new community with a variety of housing types better suited to the needs of residents, who will be rehoused when the homes complete.

Clarion’s plans, which were shaped in partnership with the council and a dedicated residents’ steering group, will also deliver new community spaces and a pedestrianised ‘green route’ into the city centre.

Clare Miller, chief executive of Clarion Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to have come together with trusted partners and residents of Barne Barton to mark the beginning of the most important phase of this transformative project – the building of vital new affordable homes.

“We have a long history in Plymouth, providing homes and shelter to those who need it most. Our redevelopment of Barne Barton begins another chapter in that history, and we are incredibly proud to be working with the council, development partners and the local community to finally turn our shared vision into a reality.”

Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: “I was delighted to hear that Clarion is celebrating planning permission for continued works in the Barne Barton area. I have worked closely with all housing providers in the area and am excited to see the transformation in this closeknit community.

“Quality of housing has been a problem in this area for some time and I fully support all that Clarion is doing to improve the offering for my constituents.”

Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities, added: “The regeneration of Barne Barton is a long-anticipated project and I know it has taken many people many years to get to this point. Key to the success so far has been community engagement. This regeneration is for them and we must never lose sight of that. Today is just the start and I look forward to returning here to see wonderful new houses transformed into homes.”

Clarion Housing Group will deliver the new homes, designed by architects Clifton Emery Design, in phases with the first 39 homes completing by summer 2024.

The housing provider’s Barne Barton project is hoping to secure a ‘Building with Nature’ Design Award, an external recognition for green and sustainability standards. Building with Nature is the UK’s first evidence-based benchmark for sustainable infrastructure, created in partnership with planners, developers and other key stakeholders.

Plymouth residents who will be 18-years-old by May 4 are encouraged to register to vote now and make sure they have eligible photo ID in time for this year’s local election.

With the deadline to register only a few weeks away on April 17, Plymouth City Council is encouraging all those eligible to vote to make sure that they take the opportunity to have their say in the election.

Registration is quick and easy and can be done online at www.plymouth.gov.uk/registervote and only takes a few minutes.

When registering, applicants can also apply for a postal vote. This means that during an election they will automatically be sent a ballot paper, so they can vote via post, avoiding the need to go to a polling station.

Once registered applicants will be placed onto the electoral register – which means they won’t need to register again, unless moving house.

In addition, unlike parliamentary elections, students living in Plymouth, studying away from home, can register to vote in local elections in both their home town as well as Plymouth.

Tracey Lee, Returning Officer for Plymouth, said: “There are thousands of students and young adults in Plymouth that aren’t registered to vote, but care about our great city and want the opportunity to shape its future. We don’t want them to miss out. Their views are important.

“Registering to vote is quick, easy and has a number of benefits – not only can you take part in the democratic process, but it will also help with future credit checks. Helping with mortgages, loans or even a mobile phone contract.”

Those registered to vote, and plan to cast their ballot in person, will also have to show eligible photographic ID at polling stations from May. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a full or provisional UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass and a blue badge. Unfortunately, student ID is NOT an accepted form of ID.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can nregister for a postal vote by April 18, or can apply for free Voter Authority Certificate online at www.gov.uk/ apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificateor by completing a paper form which is available from the Council. The deadline to apply for this ID is April 25