Plymouth residents have signed a petition over Barbican noise, community groups are reshaping Union Street and fresh investment is transforming Stonehouse.
In this week’s Councillors’ Column, St Peter and Waterfront representatives Alison Raynsford, Chris Penberthy and Lewis Allison address motorcycle crackdowns, grassroots regeneration, city centre upgrades and cultural events at The Box.
From policing concerns to green space protection and funding decisions placed directly in residents’ hands, here is what is changing across one of Plymouth’s busiest wards.
3Update from Councillor Chris Penberthy – Community groups lead Union Street regeneration drive
One of the things I love about representing the ward is seeing the way in which communities come together to actively work to improve their area through practical interventions.
Union Street is a good example of this. Following the closure of its nightclubs as the evening and night-time economy changed the street went into a visible decline.
Local people wanted to do something practical and Millfields Community Economic Development Trust, later joined by Nudge Community Builders, began to take control of buildings and land to support grassroots regeneration.
Between them Nudge and Millfields Trust now have the old Jaeger factory, Mazda Garage, C103, the Millenium and the Clipper as well as the Plot, Union Corner and Genesis.
These buildings are helping to regenerate union Street in really practical ways. Bringing them into use is adding life and activity. The businesses that are based in them generate jobs and money being spent.
More importantly community organisations such as Plymouth Energy Community, Diversity Business Incubator, the Scrapstore, Jollof Kitchen, Connecting Youth, Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council, START and so many more are making a real difference to the lives of local people.
But they don’t stop there. Both organisations do so much more in the community. Whether it is the Union Street Party, Winter Lights, the Social Supermarket or the Widening Horizons programme in Stonehouse schools they are investing their profits back into our community and putting smiles on our faces. It’s great being involved in both of these organisations and seeing their growing impacts.
We all know that Union Street still needs a lot of fixing, but there is no doubt that our community groups are leading the way and making changes. Long may that local ownership continue.
If you wish to contact me about any issues where you live my e-mail address is chris.penberthy@plymouth.gov.uk
2Update from Councillor Alison Raynsford – Barbican noise complaints prompt police action and petition response
St Peter and Waterfront has the largest number of electors in the city and this leads to a heavy casework demand. One of the key issues being raised is about noisy and inconsiderate motor cyclists and drivers.
In a number of residential areas, like the Barbican, some people are deliberately over revving bikes and doing it in groups making wholly unacceptable levels of noise.
They might think this is fun but it causes problems for resident families as well as businesses where customers might be settling down for a quiet meal or drink.
A petition signed by nearly 1000 people shows the level of concern. There has been regular contact with the police, locals, council officers and events organisers to see what we can do using both ‘carrots and sticks’ to get more considerate behaviour across the patch.
We are making progress – the police have taken action, council officers are looking at signage, motorcycle event organisers are making sure messages go out to all participants about noise and speed.
However, not every email contains a problem and so I can say it has been a real pleasure to go out on litter picks with some of the amazing community groups in the area – groups like Adelaide Street Angels and Stonehouse Residents Association.
We are also fortunate to have the Hoe Neighbourhood Forum who are guardians of the Hoe and the Talk Shop, a warm place, holding exhibitions and welcoming people in as well as the many faith-based organisations.
I’m looking forward to seeing some of the bulbs planted in Patna Park in November flowering in March and, hopefully, to more considerate use of our roads.
If you have any issues you wish to raise with me my e-mail is alison.raynsford@plymouth.gov.uk
1Update from Councillor Lewis Allison – Everyday issues, green spaces and culture in Stonehouse
A big part of my role as one of your councillors is dealing with the practical, everyday issues residents raise from fly-tipping to potholes, parking pressures and antisocial behaviour.
Sorting out these sorts of problems may seem small in isolation, but they make a real difference to how safe, tidy and welcoming our streets feel. Alongside that frontline work, I also spend time in scrutiny committees at the council asking questions about how services are delivered and pushing for improvements behind the scenes. This isn’t always visible, but it matters to how well local services work for families and businesses right here in Stonehouse.
Protecting our community facilities and green spaces remains a priority for me too. We’re lucky to have a strong community here, and I’m committed to keeping our shared spaces safe, accessible, and well looked after.
There is also lots going on in the ward I’d encourage people to know about and get involved with: Beryl Cook: Pride & Joy is running now at The Box, alongside a colourful trail of sculptures – created by the team at TR2 – across the city centre and waterfront. It’s a fun way to celebrate one of Plymouth’s best loved artists and supports our City of Culture bid.
You can find the trail map online if you fancy exploring. Closer to home, Plymouth Octopus Project is working with residents through their Stonehouse small grants programme, putting funding decisions directly in local hands.
Community meetings and local groups are shaping which ideas get supported, so if you’ve got a project or simply want a say in what happens in Stonehouse, it’s well worth getting involved.
Work is also progressing well on the Armada Way regeneration in the city centre, which aims to create greener, more family friendly spaces, new seating, planting and areas for events and performances as part of wider efforts to revitalise the heart of Plymouth.
If something isn’t right where you live, get in touch at lewis.allison@plymouth.gov.uk
