Multi-Million Pound Makeover Leaves Plymouth Residents Furious
Plymouth City Council is facing intense backlash from shoppers and residents after spending nearly £40 million on a controversial city centre regeneration project that many are describing as "abysmal". The scheme, which has seen costs triple from the original budget, features concrete benches, rusty metal plates and a stream that may remain dry for another year.
The controversy reached new heights last month when the council held an opening ceremony for the latest phase of the development, despite much of the area remaining a construction site. Local residents expressed their frustration to the Daily Mail, questioning both the timing of the celebration and the value for money of the entire project.
Budget Triples Amid Growing Anger
The original regeneration venture was set to cost £12.7 million, but in 2024 the new Labour council launched a revised plan that tripled the cost to £36.8 million. This dramatic increase has left taxpayers questioning how the budget escalated so significantly, especially given the current state of the development.
The project first sparked national outrage in March 2023 when the then-Conservative council chopped down 110 trees in one night as part of the regeneration works. The tree felling led to residents taking the council to the High Court, arguing the action was illegal, which halted works for months and ultimately cost taxpayers an additional £3.3 million.
A review conducted by local government organisation Solace criticised both politicians and council staff, noting that "significant tensions" remained as a result of the tree felling and that the council needed to find a way "to rebuild trust, internally and externally".
Local Residents Voice Their Discontent
Laura Walker, 38, expressed the frustration felt by many locals: "Why did the council hold an opening ceremony just for this section? What happened to getting on with the rest of it? They've spent millions of pounds of our money to block off the road for two years, chop down 100 perfectly good trees, pour a load of concrete everywhere, put up some rusty metal and dig a stream then plant some new trees. And now it looks worse than before."
Lee Broadbent, a 61-year-old business and economics teacher, questioned the spending priorities: "I can't understand why they have spent £30 million on an area where people don't actually live. As somebody who pays their council tax I've seen my local area deteriorate while they spend £30 million here and another £6 million in Central Park."
Philip Tapp, a 68-year-old former milkman, added: "All the building work going on is a pain at the moment and it's taken absolutely years already. I don't know if it's good value for money but I can think of better ways to spend millions of pounds in Plymouth that would help a lot more people."
Council Defends Ambitious Regeneration Scheme
Despite the criticism, the council maintains that the project is bringing new investment to the city centre. A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council stated: "Old Town Street and New George Street has changed – it's fresh, spacious and uncluttered and people have been flocking to enjoy some amazing events that have been hosted in the newly-created square."
The council attributed the budget increases to several factors beyond their control, including the pandemic, Brexit's effect on supply chains, the Ukraine War, and unexpected construction challenges. They revealed that cement costs rocketed and construction contract inflation ran at 17 percent, while ground investigations took longer than anticipated due to more Blitz rubble below the surface than expected.
The Armada Way scheme forms part of a town centre masterplan to build 10,000 new homes in the city centre. The council spokesperson emphasised: "At a time when High Streets are in decline, we believe in making our city centre a place for people to enjoy, shop, eat and linger and while there will always be people who do not like the changes, there are plenty of people who do."
Some residents have come to the scheme's defence, including Kevin May, a 65-year-old lifelong Plymouth resident who said: "People moan because it looks crap with all the works happening at the moment but I keep saying they need to give them time to finish it. I think it'll be amazing when they've finished it, it'll be the best this area has looked in the last 50 years."
This isn't the first controversial regeneration scheme in Plymouth. A neighbouring street project took four and a half years to complete and cost over £18 million despite an original estimate of £7 million, prompting local councillor Steve Ricketts to brand it "total madness".
The current project is one of the largest of its type taking place anywhere in the country, with up to 90 workers on site seven days per week. A giant play area, the size of five tennis courts, will be the next stage to be completed in early 2026, with the full regeneration expected to be complete by early summer next year.
