A bold action plan to boost the crisis-hit property market has been launched at the Plymouth Regeneration Forum.

The action plan, prepared by the Council's Planning Services, seeks to keep up the momentum of the city's regeneration over the next two years.

It follows the announcement made a Cabinet meeting by leader of the Council, Vivien Pengelly who pledged that the Council would do all it can to help.

Councillor Ted Fry, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth said: "It is vital that we maintain our optimism in these difficult times and keep up the momentum over the exciting regeneration and investment opportunities that exist in Plymouth. We are focusing our efforts on delivering key projects that can be completed in 2009 and 2010.

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"Plymouth is well placed to plan for the upturn when it comes. We have an exciting vision and not all cities have that. We have clear, innovative strategies and members and officers who are totally committed to delivery."

Paul Barnard, Assistant Director of Development for Planning Services said: "We have to strike a balance between planning for the long term and supporting developments coming forward over the next two years.

"The positive planning policies that are in place and the fundamentals that make Plymouth such a great city for investment have not changed. We still want to maintain the quality of new developments and to make sure that all new developments contribute their fair share towards meeting community needs."

The Action Plan includes a 'planning tariff' with concessions, a flexible approach to planning agreements, with safeguards to ensure the system is not abused, sharing costs on studies, waiving some development fees and streamlining various development procedures.

(CD/JM)