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19 March 2008 - One of the Europe’s most exciting waterside regeneration projects was launched on the international stage last week when plans for English Cities Fund's Millbay development in Plymouth were unveiled at MIPIM - the world’s premier real estate and development summit, in Cannes, France.
In a development which is spearheading the wider renaissance of Plymouth, Millbay’s former docksides are being transformed to create a vibrant residential and cultural quarter set in high quality public realm in a truly magnificent location.
Millbay will be one of the finest urban redevelopments in Europe, with contemporary apartments overlooking a completely redeveloped main harbour, a vibrant and dynamic cafe and restaurant world and, for the first time in decades, a direct link from the harbour area to the centre of the city via a tree-lined boulevard. Landmark architecture at either end will create a focus for the entire Millbay development.
Howard Morris, project director for English Cities Fund, said: “Millbay offers a genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build an inspirational urban environment in a historic location with spectacular waterfront views. Our proposals – which have received outline planning consent - are about creating a vibrant residential and cultural environment to completely rejuvenate this fantastic coastal quarter and make it a great place to live work and play.
“Even before unveiling our plans at MIPIM we’ve been delighted with the strong interest from operators in the opportunities available in Millbay for up to two hotels plus a range of café, restaurant and leisure outlets.”
Plymouth is the largest city on the south coast of England, with a population of 250,000 and an ambitious vision for population, housing and economic growth - an additional 30,000 new homes and 40,000 news jobs by 2026. This will be driven forward by the recently-formed Plymouth City Development Company, which is one of the first of the new breed of Economic Development Companies in the UK.
As the largest and most significant development project within the city, Millbay is a key element in the economic and physical regeneration of Plymouth. The 20 acre scheme has an estimated value of £350 million and includes 1,232 housing units, 22,850 sq m of retail and leisure space, 31,000 sq m of high quality business space, opportunities for two hotels, a 10,500 sq m arena and leisure facility and a new marina with 9,200 sq m of marine related uses.
Millbay will also be a sustainable development with renewable energy sources, variable street lighting schemes, lawned courtyards, and integrated urban parking.
Millbay is one of six schemes in the UK being delivered by English Cities Fund, a public-private regeneration partnership involving English Partnerships, Muse Developments and Legal and General.
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