The regeneration of one of Plymouth's landmarks has moved a step closer with submission of the latest plans for the Royal William Yard to Plymouth City Council.

Property developer Urban Splash has submitted applications for planning permission and listed building consent for the Brewhouse and Clarence buildings, which are both Grade I listed.

The Manchester-based company will spend an estimated £30m transforming the buildings.

There will be130 one and two bed-roomed apartments with a waterfront restaurant, shops, a wine bar and an arts and exhibition centre.

Exciting proposals

Work on the two buildings is expected to start in Spring 2003 and will take two years.

The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) which owns the 18-acre site, is investing £6.75m in repairing the exterior of the buildings to ensure they are ready for development.

Paul Barnard, transport and planning manager at Plymouth City Council, described the proposals as "exciting".

'Very impressed'

"It is important step forward for the urban renaissance agenda being pursued by the RDA and the city council not just at Royal William Yard, but for the city as a whole," he said.

Bruce Firth, president of the Stonehouse Residents' Association,said: "On the basis of what we have seen so far, we are very impressed with the plans for the Clarence and Brewhouse Buildings.

"There is still the question of access though and we are hoping that the RDA will come up with an imaginative solution to that problem ."