Western Morning News (Saturday)
City set to get a ‘stunning new landmark’
COUNCILLORS have unanimously given the go-ahead for plans for a ‘stunning and glorious’ new landmark towering major redevelopment at Sutton Harbour. Plymouth City Council’s planning committee on Thursday evening backed the Sugar Quay redevelopment scheme.
The plans, which will dramatically change the landscape of the city, will see the erection of a 21 storey skyscraper and 170 residential apartments, as well as commercial and retail units. The landmark skyscraper was recommended for approval and got it - with the hope the development will be built before the end of 2024.
At a previous meeting in February, councillors had issued a ‘minded to approve’ decision to allow further negotiations to take place over the provision of disabled parking. That has since taken place, and delivered a ‘better outcome’.
A previous version of the scheme for a 20-floor harbourside tower with 170 flats known as Sugar Quay was given planning permission in December 2018 - but work never began and as a result, the agreed consent has expired, forcing developers to ask again for permission.
The buildings would hold a total of 170 apartments - making up bed space for 590 people - with 73 onebedroom apartments, 69 two-bedroom apartments, and 28 three-bedroom apartments.
The scheme for the area would also include a public square and landscaped walkway to the harbour from St John’s Bridge.
While the new plans would be for a storey higher than the previously agreed scheme, details with the application state the height and the number of internal storeys are unchanged, but that the rooftop mezzanine should be considered as a full additional storey. The roof of the commercial plinth would provide both private amenity space for future residents and a landscaped roof garden, with a green roof with a species-rich maritime grassland mix with other areas of more structural planting.
Phil Jones, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the committee that the changes since the February deferral have resulted in functional enhancement and overall improvements. He said that they have responded to the issues raised and have provided a positive solution. There will now be onsite disabled parking spaces and a dedicated short-term bay. Cllr Margaret Corvid said: “I am impressed by the changes to disabled spaces access, not just for residents, but retail on the ground floor as disabled people like to shop as well.”
Cllr Bill Stevens said: “We took the right decision to defer as there has been considerable movement in the right direction,” while Cllr Rebecca Smith, committee chairman, added: “We have a better application and a nod to bravery in deferring it. It has been enhanced and has made the decision and conditions more robust.”