Everyone welcome to see Devonport ‘vision’

Fri, Mar 2nd 2007, 09:17

The people of Devonport will have their first chance to step inside the three-metre high wall that has divided their community for over 50 years, when Redrow opens its brand new information centre on Friday, March 2nd. 

The component parts of Redrow’s ‘Insight into Vision’ information centre have been craned onto site and assembled; it is now being fitted out internally in readiness to open its doors.

All members of the community will be welcome between 12 noon and 6pm on March 2nd, for a day of celebrations that will include music, children’s entertainers, light refreshments and a display of artwork by local schoolchildren.

There will also be an opportunity for visitors to take away souvenir pieces of the first stretch of wall to be demolished just a few weeks ago.
 
Chris Anderson, Redrow’s project manager for Vision – a new mixed-use neighbourhood on the site of the former MoD South Yard Enclave - says: “The opening of our information centre follows quickly after the significant milestone of bringing down the first section of the wall around the site. We’re sure local people will be pleased as this will be the first opportunity for them to actually come inside and we’ll welcome them with information about our regeneration project and details of how to go about owning a new home within the new development.”

The Insight into Vision centre will include an exhibition of Devonport’s past, present and future, as well as providing somewhere that people can find out more about Redrow’s regeneration plans – and register their interest in the wide range of new homes that will be built.

The site originally formed part of Devonport town centre, which was heavily damaged in the Blitz. It was subsequently incorporated into the dockyard perimeter by the MoD during the 1950s and enclosed by a three-metre high stone wall, before being declared surplus to requirements and acquired by national regeneration agency, English Partnerships.

Chosen last year as the preferred developer, Redrow has already begun the process of integrating the site back into the Devonport community and transforming it into a mixed-use neighbourhood of more than 450 new homes, shops, offices and community facilities. The development will include a substantial number of affordable homes on a shared equity or rented basis, as well as homes targeted at first time buyers. Detailed planning consent has recently been granted for the first zone by Plymouth City Council so that building work can begin.

The first homes are expected to go on sale during April.

Following the ‘drop-in’ day on March 2nd, the Insight into Vision information centre will be open weekdays between 10am and 4pm.  People can already register their interest in Vision by calling 0845 676 0328 or logging on to the website at www.vision.redrow.co.uk.