Olympic launch for Devonport regeneration

Plymouth-born, Plymouth-raised and Plymouth-trained Olympic athlete Sharron Davies MBE will officially launch ‘evolve’ – a new regeneration development being created by Midas Homes, in partnership with Westco Properties, in Devonport on Saturday 11th July.

The development will provide new homes for the Devonport community and will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at 11am.

Evolve, off Ker Street, is an exciting regeneration project comprising the demolition of existing post war buildings and the building of new homes within a refreshed street scene. The scheme, together with other important initiatives in the area, plays an important role in the creation of a new balanced and sustainable community within Devonport.

Designed by Lacey Hickie Caley architects and marketed by Fulfords estate agents, the first phase of the development will provide contemporary three storey, three bedroom homes from a competitively priced £144,950. The new show home, which will also be unveiled on Saturday, will enable potential homebuyers to view one of the properties and see how their finished home could look.

Wayne Bennett, Sales and Marketing Director for Midas Homes said: “Evolve will breathe new life into Ker Street and its neighbouring area; providing quality new homes for the Devonport community. We’re thrilled that Sharron Davies is available to open the development and support our scheme, especially as she was born in Devonport, at the old Alexander Hospital.”

“We really will be turning the page on a new chapter in the regeneration of Devonport – it’s an exciting time and we expect the event to be a real success.”

Richard Connolly, Managing Director of Westco Properties (a subsidiary of Devon and Cornwall Housing Association) said: “We have spent many years working in Plymouth and this scheme in Devonport will be a major step forward in the regeneration of what used to be a real village community. The village spirit remains and it is fantastic that this has been recognised by everyone involved with a willingness to recreate what used to be.”

Dave Brown, DRC Partnership Resident Board member said: “This is a fantastic development for Devonport - yet another piece of the regeneration of Devonport. All the partners involved have worked hard to make sure the local community has been kept informed and updated on the development. With the Devonport Guildhall also undergoing refurbishment, this area will soon become a thriving part of the community.”

Mike Nally, Devonport Regeneration Manager for Plymouth City Council is pleased to see the development of historic Ker Street. He said: "It's fantastic to see new high quality housing being built. People can see the contrast with the old housing and can start to imagine the striking change in the area. Partnership has been key to making this progress."

Demolition work was started on site last year by ex-resident Mr Philip Coombe, 78, who lived in the former Bull Ring development from the time it opened in 1962 until he was decanted in June 2006 prior to the demolition. He lived at no.14 (two bed) with his family, until he was alone and he moved into no.12 (one bed).

Speaking at the demolition event he said: “You're bound to feel a bit emotional after all that time but, come the end, I was glad to get out. It was a good community in the beginning, but it started to go down.

“I'm hoping the new development will bring back some of the community spirit”, he added.

Earlier in the year, Evolve received a commendation for ‘Urban Design and Masterplanning’ at the Landscape Institute Awards.

The team of Midas Homes, Devon and Cornwall Housing Association and Lacey Hickie Caley architects have already created an award winning development, Gun Wharf in Devonport, a couple of years ago, which won a number of national awards including a prestigious gold CABE Building for Life Standard in 2006 and Best Housing-Led Regeneration Project in the 2006 Regeneration Awards.

Westco and Midas Homes have proved a winning combination with a number of successful developments within the south west, including TR1 in Truro and The Central in Bodmin.

For further information on Evolve or any of the new homes, visit midashomes.com.