The Government's Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has visited Plymouth to meet those responsible for the regeneration of Brunel Plaza.
The scheme involves an upgrade for Plymouth Railway Station, along with a major revamp of the surrounding area, including the redevelopment of Intercity House by the University of Plymouth to train the city's future health professionals. There will also be a new hotel and multi-storey car park, improvements to public areas and links to the city centre.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said
"Our stations serve as gateways to our towns and cities, ensuring communities are connected, enabling access to education and employment and facilitating tourism. The Brunel Plaza Scheme will mark an exciting new chapter for Plymouth and I was delighted to visit the station to see first-hand how it will help transform the area into a vibrant catalyst for regeneration. This government will continue to invest in vital projects such as this to ensure we boost regional economies and build back better from Covid-19."
Permission was granted in September 2019 for the Intercity Place project, which will involve the complete regeneration of an 11-storey building overlooking Plymouth Railway Station.
It will be reconfigured and refurbished throughout - with the exterior also being rejuvenated - so that the finished development creates a striking and welcoming entrance to Britain's Ocean City. The University has now signed a long-term lease on the building from Network Rail, and work will begin imminently to give it a new lease of life.
Once completed, it will house inter-professional clinical skills facilities for the University's Faculty of Health and be used to train future nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals. There will also be additional educational services, enabling staff to work together in one location to support the future health workforce.
Tim Brooksbank (centre) talks to Chris Heaton-Harris MP (right)
Tim Brooksbank, Interim Director of Estates and Facilities at the University of Plymouth, said
"The Intercity Place project will be a landmark development in every sense and demonstrates our commitment to, and confidence in, the city of Plymouth. It will transform an iconic building on Plymouth's skyline to create a modern and attractive welcome to the city for residents, workers, tourists and students alike. But its role in training future generations of health professionals means it can be an inspiring place for all those who work and learn there, and enhance our place as the largest provider of health care training in the South West."
