Barne Barton transformation to deliver 204 affordable homes

Clarion Housing Group’s transformation of a 1960s housing estate is to go ahead after approval from local authority.

A multi-million pound project in Plymouth to transform a 1960s housing estate will go ahead, after the plans were rubber-stamped by the local authority.

Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest social landlord, was today (10 July) granted full planning permission by Plymouth City Council for its proposals to regenerate the Barne Barton estate.

The plans include the demolition over two phases of all of Clarion’s properties on the estate, making way for 204 new high-quality homes.

The new development will be 100 per cent affordable, with a mix of homes for social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership. The scheme will deliver 102 houses and 102 apartments. 

With residents’ backing, Clarion took the decision in 2017 to regenerate the estate due to the quality of the housing stock. The properties suffer from poor insulation, damp, and condensation plus the layout of the blocks does not utilise the open space and views in the area.

The estate, which was once the largest naval settlement in the country, will benefit from new community spaces and a new pedestrianised ‘green route’ running through the development. Residents who wish to remain on the estate will be rehoused in the new scheme.

Collaborative working

Bob Beaumont, Director for Regeneration at Clarion Housing Group, said:

“We are thrilled that Plymouth City Council has backed our plans to transform the Barne Barton estate."

“Our vision is to create a truly vibrant and sustainable community which will bring long term social, economic and environmental benefits to Plymouth."

“Today’s news is in large part due to the work of our residents who been influential in helping us to shape these plans."

“We will continue to work with residents and Plymouth City Council to turn our vision into a reality.”

Improving the lives of residents

Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said:

“This is huge news. When I go knocking on doors in Plymouth the demand for good affordable housing is always number one or two on their lists."

“My team have worked tirelessly to improve the offer to residents in Barne Barton - all of our expectations have been exceeded by Clarion in bringing this scheme forward. It will deliver genuine improvements to the lives of hundreds of Plymothians - today is a good day for them and I’m delighted to have played my role in it.”

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for housing and cooperative development, said:

"We are absolutely thrilled to support the regeneration of Barne Barton."

"The most impressive thing about this project is that it has the community at the heart of it. The consultation on the plans has been extensive and I'm really pleased that the people who will live in the new homes have had their say on the design and spec."

"I look forward to seeing construction begin."

Award-winning approach

The scheme was boosted with a £450,000 grant from the Government’s estates regeneration fund and has already scooped two national awards for its approach to planning and design.

Nationally Clarion is investing £2.6bn in regenerating its existing communities, including Barne Barton.