Plymstock area update with Councillor Rebecca Smith: Easter will soon be upon us, but before we start buying Easter eggs and planning for the long weekend, here’s a little update for you.
The month started with a site visit to see the new homes at Saltram Meadow with the Plymouth City Council Planning team. We walked all round the neighbourhood and talked about plans for the next phase of homes and the exciting plans for the Market Square (finally!)
Visits like this allow me to build relationships with the team at Persimmon which makes it easier to raise issue on behalf of the local community there. Plans for the all important Market Square, play park and supermarket will be published soon… watch this space!
Plymstock area update: I’m also just sorting out the issue of grit bins on the estate and will update on that in due course. In the meantime, I also raised the issue of the need for one and two bed properties in Plymstock – something which local young adults, keen to get on the property ladder but to stay close to their family, have asked me about.
The good news is that there will be more one and two bed apartments coming forward in the coming months as part of the Market Square development. If you’d like to register your interest, you can email Jane Cartwright and get added to their ‘Coming soon…’ email list to be kept updated – jane.cartwright@persimmonhomes.com
I recently had one of my routine meetings with the local Police team. It was a really useful catch up with Inspector Nicholls, PC Large, PCSO Bob and Special Constable Mel (and some new recruits to the city’s Police force in the car park as we left!).
It was good to hear that the new Chief Constable, Will Kerr, is passionate about Neighbourhood Policing and is keen it increases its profile in the Force. I’m hoping this means we’ll get more police visibility in Plymstock and as a result, see people’s confidence in the police increase locally. The team are keen to see this too.
The key issues of road safety, antisocial drivers, issues with a minority of young people and the ongoing use of nitros oxide at Jennycliff were top of the agenda, along with other issues that were raised directly with me.
I’m aware there has been some antisocial behaviour in recent weeks in certain spots across Plymstock area. The plea, as always, is firstly, please please report online when there are incidents so the Police can build up and picture of what is going on: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact and secondly, do you know where your children or teenagers are of an evening?
Our local push to extend the free parking at The Broadway (and my Conservative colleagues efforts with the Ridgeway too) from two hours to three hours was successful and will be implemented when the new machines to register your car for free parking are activated.
We heard from many that this extension to three hours is vital for local businesses and community groups.
We agreed with you and have worked behind the scenes to make the case and get this sorted. Really pleased the council have announced this extension.
Radford Councillors are lobbying for Dean Cross to be free all day on Saturdays so local sports clubs can hold their fixtures without any issues.
Work continues behind the scenes to secure a flagship Post Office at Plymstock Broadway. The Post Office have downgraded the offer to a Post Office Local but local MP, Sir Gary Streeter, myself and my councillor colleagues are fighting against this and remain committed to seeing a new branch open. It is not something we can control directly but we are doing all within our power to get the best outcome for you.
Finally, it was great to see so many local community groups attend the POP Octopus Project drop-in at Plymstock Library which I highlighted last month. I popped along with my Ward colleague, Cllr Kathy Watkin. Who doesn’t want to make the most of expert help to support and enhance your work?!
Do contact them directly if you missed the event – more info on www.plymouthoctopus.org
As ever, drop me a line if I can help with anything on rebecca.smith@plymouth.gov.uk and check out my Facebook and Instagram on @PlymouthRebecca.
