850 new jobs at £400million quarry village of 1,684 homes in Plymouth
THE new 'urban village' planned for Plymstock Quarry will bring investment of about £400million and 850 new construction jobs to Plymouth, councillors have been told, writes Political Reporter Keith Rossiter.
A plan by Persimmon Homes for 1,684 homes in the former Blue Circle quarry north of Billacombe Road won the green light from members of the city council planning committee yesterday.
The scheme will include shops, offices, schools and industrial units.
Stephen Bawtree, agent for the developers, said they hoped to start engineering and remodelling work in about 18 months, with the first houses completed in about three years.
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He said an independent assessment by Knight Frank had estimated the value of the investment at about £400million over the three phases of the development, which is expected to take 15 to 20 years to complete.
The work will create about 850 jobs, including apprenticeships.
Planning officer Alan Hartridge said the site, to be known as Morley Park, would be a development with its own heart rather than just a housing estate bolted on to Plymstock.
Mr Hartridge said the developers would have to pay for a bridge over Billacombe Road. Persimmon would also have to contribute £420,000 towards the swimming pool to be built as part of the Sherford new town development.
Because of problems with viability, Persimmon is to be allowed to build only 12.5 per cent affordable housing, with a clawback mechanism which the city hopes will raise the figure to 25 per cent.
A businessman based at Pomphlett Farm Industrial Estate said the development would mean the loss of parking for companies on the estate. Brian Prowse, who said he represented 16 businesses, said the developers were offering 16 parking spaces but that was not enough.
Local Conservative councillor Michael Leaves welcomed the application, the formation of the new country park next to Saltram House, and protection of Billacombe Green. He said it would remove a blackspot on Plymstock. But Mr Leaves called for early highways work to prevent problems on Billacombe Road being caused by what he called "the largest cul-de-sac in the country".
Mr Leaves said the footbridge across Billacombe Road should be provided as soon as possible. Mr Hartridge said it would be needed after about 900 homes had been built.
Mr Leaves said Pomphlett Primary School needed extra funding and protection because it would have to take children the houses built in phase one.
Gerry Rogers, who owns Hilltop House east of the site, objected to plans for a Devon bank with trees to soften the edge of the development. He said it would overshadow his house. Councillors approved a condition that would shorten the bank.
Cllr Wendy Foster (Con, Plymstock Radford), a member of the planning committee, said the Billacombe Road footbridge should be built before any houses because of the danger posed for children going to schools in Plymstock.
The council's highways department said that push-button pedestrian crossings would be provided. The new homes would be served by a new public transport link.
Councillors gave unanimous approval for the outline planning application.
Comments
by jellyintheove
Friday, October 19 2012, 10:46PM
“The mindless destruction of local wildlife. I recently discovered the quarry on a Sunday walk and I must say how beautiful it is. And now I read this. Disturbing. I will certainly be writing to the local authorities to express my displeasure with this decision.”
by Objector
Monday, October 03 2011, 5:59PM
“Whilst it's agreed people need houses to live in, however this shouldn't and mustn't be to the determent of our environment. It's the duty of local MP's and Councillors to protect our ecosystem for future generations to come. They have failed, allowing Persimmon Homes to fell 240 trees alongside the Billacombe Road in the area of Broxton Drive to the south of the quarry.
Persimmon Homes have disguised their intensions by calling it "Remodelling the quarry". By using explosives, after felling the trees, they then intend to flatten the hill were the trees have grown upon for generations, using the rubble to infill the quarry. Once flattened, the area devoid of trees, will be turned into a concrete mobi-hub most likely for a park and ride. The objections of the Local Residents have been completely ignored by the planers and the Plymouth City Planning Committee, one of whom is the Local Councillor.
The area with its profusion of vegetation and trees acts as a home to a diverse abundance of wild life including numerous rare buzzards and owls, all habitat to be destroyed forever and replaced by an environment disaster. The trees help lower the carbon emission levels from an already busy commuter route. Desecration of the wooded land along the Billacombe Road would be against the ethos of maintaining green sites for the benefit of future generations.
Allowing the destruction of this wooded area by the City Council can only be regarded as environmental vandalism. I'm positive the people of Plymouth and surrounding areas would not wish to see a beautiful wooded hill with all its flora and fauna turned into a concrete jungle.”
by Laura, Hooe
Monday, January 24 2011, 1:21PM
“Ah, a nice new house next to a land fill site, grid lock into the city and a school that will not be built until the houses are finished, hold me back”
by robert Ball, glasgow
Saturday, January 22 2011, 7:16PM
“Marc marc Get the facts 1st, Facts are the are actually making the turbines up here, Go and tell the 500 families their Husbands dont have REAL jobs, Also they have won a EU Energy grant to develop this, Also facts are the electricity made will go back into scottish Grid, Facts being this will decrease the electricity costs for homeowners etc, Do understand your point but understand mine as an Ex Plymouthian the area must use its merits it has! for all concerned.”
by Grace, Plymouth
Saturday, January 22 2011, 6:08PM
“Dear Marcmarc, The Welfer State .... it means benefits. It is very, very sad....”
by marcmarc, plymouth
Saturday, January 22 2011, 7:02AM
“Grace Plymouth,It is not just an English problem,it is a British problem and it is only three words,The Welfare State.”
by Grace, Plymouth
Friday, January 21 2011, 10:10PM
“marcmarc.... Tell me please, why English people do not want to work hard like Polish,,,? Please...”
by Ralphie, Plymouth
Friday, January 21 2011, 9:45PM
“Planning permission lasts years and in the current climate it is unlikely they will be built immediately. Just land banking until value and prices go up”
by marcmarc, plymouth
Friday, January 21 2011, 8:55PM
“Robert Ball Glasgow,those 500 jobs are not real jobs they are payed for by increasing the cost of electricity to subsidise the wind farm developers who build the bloody useless monstrosities,of course increasing the cost of electricity also increases the costs of real companies that make useful things making them uncompetitive especially in global markets.”
by robert Ball, glasgow
Friday, January 21 2011, 8:08PM
“When are we going to see some real job creations in the SouthWest, yet again they have just signed a deal up here to create 500 jobs to produce Wind turbine machines, Based in Glasgow and tayside. Why the hell cant we do this in Cornwall or Devon? ETC. CREATING CHEAP HOUSING, you need the jobs to pay for the Mortgage to live in the house! The way its going Plymouth will be full of Students looking for Cheap coffee and Bars, (Nothing wrong with that, As its their age group etc.) and cheap shoe and clothes shops!! So yet again nothing creating real wealth. Temporary jobs until the next Building Development.”