The Minister, who is Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Minister for Digital Britain, visited the award-winning Cargo development on Millbay Road, which is the first phase of the Millbay regeneration scheme to be completed.
Mr Timms’ visit was hosted by English Cities Fund (ECf), a public and private sector regeneration partnership involving the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Muse Developments and Legal & General.
ECf project director Duncan Cumberland said: “The Minister was impressed with what we have achieved so far and was very interested in the next phase of infrastructure works and the challenges associated with a regeneration scheme of this size in the current economic climate.
“We explained the scale of ambition at Millbay and how we aim to make a major contribution to the revitalisation and regeneration of Plymouth by creating a new coastal quarter in a stunning location.”
Cargo, which scooped a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award in September, has proved hugely successful since its opening earlier this year. It features 134 stylish apartments and town houses – of which fewer than 20 remain available – plus underground car parking, landscaped courtyard garden and 1,700 sq m (18,300 sq ft) of commercial space in a commanding position on Millbay Road.
Work is now under way to prepare for important infrastructure works which will pave the way for future phases of development, thanks to a £4.5 million investment from the HCA announced in September.
The investment is part of the government’s National Infrastructure Funding Package for Priority Regeneration Schemes and enables ECf to continue progress on what is the biggest redevelopment south of Bristol and among the largest regeneration projects in the UK.
The funding is expected to be used to strengthen and restore Millbay’s original quay walls and to prepare the Clyde Quay site which will form an important part in the future development of Millbay.
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