Land needed to deliver the first 80 homes for social rent at Bath Street West in Plymouth city centre is to be transferred to Plymouth Community Homes (PCH), clearing the way for construction to begin later this spring.

Plymouth City Council has approved the sale of the site for phase one of the scheme off Bath Street, Millbay, after working with Homes England to secure financial backing and unlock wider regeneration in the area.

In total, 135 affordable homes are planned for the Bath Street West site, which is a flagship project for boosting affordable housing provision in and around the city centre.

The announcement follows confirmation that Homes England will commence demolition this year on three major city centre plots in Armada Way North, alongside its significant commitment to regenerating the Civic Centre.

Valued at £33.5 million, the development will create a new neighbourhood on the temporary car park bordering Martin Street. It will feature energy-efficient homes for people on the social housing waiting list, communal gardens with children’s play spaces in green areas, and new commercial units.

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Councillor Chris Penberthy, cabinet member for Housing, Cooperative development and Communities said: "This is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw needed to get spades in the ground and start construction.

"We are working with partners, Plymouth Community Homes and Homes England, who are all digging deep to make this scheme happen.

"Plymouth, like most cities across the country, is experiencing a severe and lasting housing crisis. There are more than 7,000 households on the waiting list who need a decent home that they can rent at an affordable price.

"Housebuilding has declined steeply in recent years across the country due to economic challenges and we need to start fixing this."

The Council has underpinned site preparation and the project received £1.5 million from the UK Government via the Land Release Fund, supporting upfront public realm works to enable new homes.

PCH is an independent, not-for-profit social housing provider that owns and manages 16,000 social homes in Plymouth and the surrounding area.

With a strategy to build 1,500 additional affordable homes over the next five years, PCH sees the Bath Street project as a cornerstone of its growth plans, working in partnership with Plymouth City Council to make it happen.

The scheme received full planning permission at the end of 2023. The first of an anticipated three phases will start this spring, with appointed contractor Classic Builders on site to deliver 80 homes for social rent and one commercial unit.

The social homes will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom flats and three-bedroom houses, all to be advertised for people in registered housing need to bid for through Devon Home Choice.