Public invited to help shape Drake's Place as a community space

Plans to restore historic Drake’s Place Gardens and Reservoir on North Hill, Plymouth, and bring the site back into the life of the community are taking another leap forward this week, with the launch of a public consultation.

Plymouth University is calling on local people and organisations to help shape the plans to conserve the Victorian character of Drake’s Place, improve access and revitalise the area as a community space for leisure, learning activities, training and volunteering opportunities, and events.

With the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Parks for People award of around £60,000, the University is working closely with the community and its students and staff, to develop plans that will shape the £500,000 bid it is due to submit to the HLF in August 2012. If the bid is successful, the University plans to match that funding.

Win Scutt, the University’s Development Officer for Drake’s Place, said: “Drake’s Place is an important part of Plymouth’s heritage and we want it to be a place everyone can enjoy.

“The gardens and reservoir provide a rare green haven for people and wildlife in a very busy urban area, and have huge potential for all kinds of leisure and learning activities and events. It’s a fantastic resource for the wider community as well as the University, and this consultation is a chance for people to contribute feedback and ideas about its future.”

Nerys Watts, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West, adds: “This project has the potential to transform this important green space so that it can be enjoyed by local people, both now and for generations to come. Therefore this is a fantastic opportunity for the community to get involved in the exciting developments planned for Drake’s Place.”

The University is asking the public to submit its views using the short survey at www.plymouth.ac.uk/drakesplace or in the leaflet delivered to residences in the Drake’s Place vicinity. Alternatively, members of the public are invited to attend a drop-in session, where there will be an opportunity to speak with the project team. These drop-in events will take place at Plymouth Central Library, Drake Circus on Friday 6 and Friday 13 January from 10.30am – 4.30pm, and Sherwell Centre on the University campus on Thursday 12 January from noon – 2pm and 5pm – 7pm.

The deadline for submitting feedback is Tuesday 17 January 2012. Once views are collated a final plan will be submitted to the HLF in August, with the bid outcome anticipated in December. Progress updates will be available at the web address above.