Rust and decay now.

But scheduled to be redeveloped as an hotel 

in the next phase of the regeneration of The Royal William Yard.

Rescued from decay

This Elliot Street, it leads up to Plymouth Hoe.

Many its splendid houses had become shabby and "tired" in recent years,

but you can see that they have been beautifully restored.

Regeneration

In common with many other port cities in the UK towards the end of the 20th century, 

sections of Plymouth's waterfront were characterised by dilapidated industrial buildings 

and very sub standard housing.

One such area was the shoreline of Stonehouse Creek, a small muddy inlet off the River Tamar. 

But now regeneration is well under way.

 

The derelict small industrial buildings have been cleared away and new waterside terraces have taken their place.

 

Many of the once decaying large houses, are being expensively returned to their former glory.

Gentrification

 

It seems that no waterfront development, 

of converted dockside buildings and/or newly built apartment blocks, is complete without a freshly painted crane and a length of tastefully rusting chain on one of its cobbled quay sides.

"A city is not an accident,

but the result of coherent visions and aims."

                                                                                        Leon Krier 

Sounds like a good idea.

Where did it all go wrong?

 

Mother and Daughter

This Demolitiosaur was carefully training her offspring 

in the skills she would need to break through the tough outer shell of the hiding place of her prey.

The way it was.

 The way it will be.

The way it is so far.

 

Regeneration of Devonport (10)

A Devonport skyline.

it all seems to be coming together nicely.

Regeneration of Devonport (9)

Is it just me?

Or are there similarities between these two cityscapes.

Village Street, France

By the Post Impressionist artist 

Maurice Utrillo 1883 - 1955

A recent phase in the

 Regeneration of Devonport.

Maybe Utrillo's work was an inspiration for the architect.

Regeneration of Devonport (8)

At intervals over the last couple of years I have posted images of the massive regeneration project that is taking place in Devonport.

It is taking shape on land that was formerly inside the boundary walls of the Naval Dockyard, but was released for redevelopment when the "Cold War" ended because it was seen as surplus to military requirements.

Britain's Ocean City (3)

The view from The Devonport Tower to the east, 

over some of the newly completed regeneration projects which surround the Tower,

then to the taller buildings of City Centre, and on towards the mouth of the River Plym, 

which enters Plymouth Sound from the left hand side of the city.

Union Street (2)

Perhaps the most challenging "regeneration project" is going be trying to find a new role 

for the near derelict Palace Theatre.

Union Street (1)

A major 20 year regeneration project of Union Street is due to begin shortly.

I hope it is not too late to save some of its distinctive character.

The Regeneration of Devonport (7)

Mix and Match

Periods and Styles

The Regeneration of Devonport (6)

The creators of the "new" Devonport are trying to integrate some of "old" Devonport's 

iconic buildings into the regeneration scheme.

The Guildhall is a good example of that integration.

On a bright, clear, autumn day I hope to climb the 137 steps to the viewing area at the top of the Tower, from which there should be a full panoramic view of the "new" Devonport.

The old "Egyptian House" fits in quite well with the new blocks.

The builders are busy preparing the initial ground works for the next phase, 

which will shortly be rising on the land in front of the church.

The Regeneration of Devonport (4)

The massive urban renewal project aimed at regenerating the fortunes of the area 

around the the Devonport Naval Dockyard, which had become blighted 

by economic and social problems in recent decades, is bearing fruit.

Much new housing development has replaced the squalor that was a breeding ground of social discontent.

During the "Cold War" large areas of Devonport were taken over by the Ministry of Defence 

and enclosed behind high walls as the Naval Base and Dockyard was enlarged.

Now that the size of the Navy has been reduced land has been released, and the walls demolished.

The old Devonport Market building is one of the buildings which have re-emerged from behind the wall.

It, and the clock tower, are to be refurbished and will shortly become valuable community facilities.  

The Regeneration of Devonport (3)

The towered building at the end of this street is the old Devonport Market Hall.

A market began operating in this building in 1835, and although damaged by bombing in 1941 it continued in use until 1956. Then it was taken inside the extended boundary of the Royal Dockyard, to become a naval store facility.
Now that much of "The Wall" (see yesterday's post), has been demolished it has re-emerged from its enforced separation from the community, and it will be interesting to see how imaginative its new uses will be.

The Regeneration of Devonport (2)

In yesterday's post I mentioned that very large tracts of Devonport are just beginning to emerge from fifty or so years behind "The Wall", which was erected to contain the expanded Dockyard during the Cold War Era, driving an ugly wedge right through the heart of the community.

This is "The Wall", and as you can see, there are still sections that have not yet been demolished.

However there are now vistas that have been impossible for the best part of half a century. For example, we couldn't have seen St Aubyn's Church from this distance because we would have been inside "The Wall", and its height would have blocked everything but the top of the spire.

The Regeneration of Devonport (1)

The regeneration and re-population of an enormous area of Devonport marches on. Following its devastation, by bombing in 1941, and then its disappearance for fifty or so years behind the walls of the Royal Naval Dockyard, as  the naval base was progressively extended in the immediate post war era..

However in the Post Cold War era, as the Fleet and the Dockyard have reduced in size, large tracts of land have been released for regeneration and a whole new community is beginning to take shape.

This is Fore Street.

This façade, of one of the only three buildings left intact in Fore Street after the bombing in 1941, has been incorporated into the new Fore Street

This was the scene in 1941 as sailors help with the initial work of clearing the rubble following the air raids.

Looking inland

There is a 360 degree view from the viewing platform at the Mount Wise Signal Station, 

(see yesterday's post).

Here is the scene in the opposite direction from yesterday, looking inland towards Devonport.