St Budeaux residents are being invited to have their say on the future of a long-disused piece of land, as councillors set out the latest updates on investment, regeneration and community safety across the area.
From new consultations behind Mantle Gardens to progress on replacing long-awaited public facilities, St Budeaux councillors are highlighting a period of renewed momentum for the neighbourhood.
Alongside plans to safeguard key services such as Camels Head Fire Station and bring forward new community spaces on the Square, councillors have also pointed to major funding opportunities and wider city developments that could shape St Budeaux for years to come.
At the same time, Plymouth is hosting the nationally significant Knife Angel sculpture, reinforcing a city-wide focus on education, prevention and community cohesion as part of ongoing efforts to keep neighbourhoods safe.
In this latest councillor update, representatives share how they are working to support local groups, respond to residents’ concerns and ensure St Budeaux continues to thrive.
3Consultations on future of disused land behind Mantle Gardens with Councillor Jon Dingle
As your St Budeaux ward councillor, I am proud to continue championing the people and community groups that make our part of Plymouth such a special place.
Over the past year, I have been pleased to provide funding from my Community Grant to support a range of fantastic local initiatives. These include the BBSB Forum, Art Craft and Laughter and The Pioneers, alongside many other worthy groups that bring residents together and make a real difference in people’s everyday lives.
I am also delighted that the local Labour team has finally secured the go ahead to replace the public toilets on the Square after six years of determined campaigning. This has been a long-running issue for residents and visitors, and it is great to see progress at last.
Another priority has been getting the ball rolling on consultations about how best to use the disused land behind Mantle Gardens. Local people’s views will be vital in shaping plans for this space so it benefits the whole community.
I continue to represent the best interests of St Budeaux through my roles on the North Yard Trust and Tamar Crossings, ensuring our community’s voice is heard in key discussions.
Looking ahead, I am working closely with colleagues to hopefully establish a new community space at the old Lloyds Bank building on the Square. The aim is to create a welcoming and safe place where both older and younger residents can access help, advice and support.
By bringing services together locally, we hope to reduce antisocial behaviour even further –something I have been committed to since being elected in 2023.
I remain determined to keep working hard for St Budeaux and to support the residents who make our community strong and proud today and in the years ahead.
2Securing future of Camels Head fire station with Councillor Josh McCarty
For Plymouth and St Budeaux, I genuinely believe we are entering an exciting moment of potential after the last 14 years of our city losing out on central government funding.
I continue my work on the council’ s Growth Scrutiny panel, examining major projects shaping the city’s future. This has included discussions around skills, defence spending strategy and the Team Plymouth approach to economic growth.
We have also been exploring the long-term concept of building up to 10,000 new homes in the city centre – a proposal that, I believe, will deliver new life, investment and opportunity back into the heart of our city.
Planning Committee has remained busy with detailed debates around national planning reforms and local decision-making.
Alongside this, I have continued my work with the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, pushing for better vessel tracking systems for the inshore fleet to support sustainable fishing practices.
In my role on the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority we have also been developing a new strategic vision for the service. I was particularly pleased to support the decision to rebuild Camels Head Fire Station in its current location.
The station has served Plymouth for more than 60 years and the new multi-million-pound facility will provide modern facilities for firefighters while maintaining strong coverage for our communities and the dockyard.
Alongside Plymouth Labour colleague Councillor Neil Hendy, who leads the Labour councillors on the committee, and Councillor William Noble, I was proud to play a part in safeguarding this important local asset.
With casework in St Budeaux I have been focusing on the everyday issues that matter most to residents. Recently, I have been pushing for improvements to road surfaces across the ward.
I have also been working closely with Councillor Mary Aspinall to help address local concerns around the Stirling Road GP surgery.
Through the North Yard Trust, I am very proud we are moving forward with plans to launch a new community asset in the Square, helping ensure resources reach the local community faster.
I’m particularly proud of a community video celebrating St Budeaux that our Community Builders have been developing with my support and I look forward to its launch very soon.
I am also excited to see the impact the £20m Pride in Place funding can have on St Budeaux, developing a lasting legacy for the community thanks to the hard work of our MP Fred Thomas.
1Knife Angel’s key focus on education and prevention with Councillor Sally Haydon
It is a real honour for our city to host the powerful sculpture the Knife Angel. Many of you will know that the Knife Angel travels around the country as a national monument against violence.
It was created from tens of thousands of knives and weapons handed in during police amnesties. Every blade represents a moment of harm, a moment of fear, a moment where a life – or a family – was changed forever.
When you stand in front of the Knife Angel, you cannot ignore the message. It reminds us of the real impact of violence, and the pain that comes when a knife is used.
It also reminds us that behind every incident there are victims, families, friends, and whole communities who feel the shockwaves.
Although the Knife Angel is a strong and emotional piece of art, it is also a message of hope. It shows that we can come together to make change.
It shows that we can choose to educate, to prevent harm, and to stand as one community that says clearly: Enough. We do not want violence here.
I want to be very clear, Plymouth does not have a knife crime problem. We are not a city where this type of violence is common.
But that does not mean we should sit back and do nothing. We have a responsibility to act early, to raise awareness, and to make sure we never allow knife crime to take hold here. Hosting the Knife Angel is part of that commitment.
This project is not about fear. It is about prevention. It is about education. And, most importantly, it is about working together.
Throughout March many schools, colleges, youth groups, community organisations, charities and families will visit the Knife Angel.
We want people of all ages, backgrounds and languages to feel welcome. We want everyone to understand that violence has no place in Plymouth, and that every single person – young or old – has a part to play in keeping our city safe.
The Knife Angel also gives us a chance to highlight the amazing work that already happens across Plymouth.
Our local charities, faith groups, youth workers, neighbourhood teams, schools, health services, and police officers work very hard every day to keep people safe. They give guidance, support young people, challenge harmful behaviour, and help people build positive futures.
Their work often goes unseen, but it makes a huge difference, and I want to thank every one of them.
