Civic Centre revamp planning permission approved

Planning permission has been approved to "transform" a prominent and empty city centre building.

Plymouth City Council's planning committee voted on Wednesday to approve plans for the derelict Civic Centre to be converted into 144 flats and a new campus for City College Plymouth with a careers hub, restaurant and wellness spa.

The Grade II listed Civic Centre has been empty since council staff left the premises in 2015.

BDP Architect Mark Braund said: "This building when it was delivered in 1962 was a symbol of the rebirth of the city and I think what we've just achieved with planning permission is a rebirth of city living."

"It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects," Braund said.

"The building's defining features will be carefully restored – the distinctive gull-wing roof, the Murano glass columns, the reflection pool and key elements of the original facades.

"Where contemporary interventions are needed, they have been designed to sit respectfully alongside the historic building, referencing the design rigour of the original plans, and using durable, high-quality materials that clearly distinguish old from new while preserving its architectural significance."

The council said Capital&Centric had been appointed as the preferred developer earlier in the year.

The 144 homes would be made up of one and two bedroom apartments and the college campus would aim to serve 2,000 students and offer up to 60 courses, according to the plans.

The council said the approved works on the building included new lift cores and staircases to meet current fire regulations, replacement cladding and glazing, a new glazed roof structure, a spiral staircase and bridge link between the Council House and the Civic Centre.

There would be more than 200 parking spaces with most reserved for residents and a proposal for 50 extra visitor cycle spaces either within the site or within 50m of it was added to the conditions.

The project was backed by £47,486,361 in public funding, including the Future High Streets Fund, Levelling Up Fund Round Three and £18,386,278 from Homes England's Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund.

The council added Capital&Centric would separately fund the residential fit-out, with City College Plymouth funding its campus.

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