An expert team has been appointed to deliver one of Plymouth’s most ambitious regeneration projects – a framework and masterplan which will be co-designed with local partners and communities to transform the city centre into a vibrant place to live, with thousands of new homes, green streets and lively public spaces.
Over the past few years, Plymouth has made huge strides in reshaping its city centre, with major public realm improvements, new cultural and commercial spaces, and investment in transport and infrastructure. Now, the focus shifts to what has been missing: city centre living. This masterplan, made possible thanks to a strategic partnership with Homes England, will set out how underused areas can be reimagined as sustainable, lively and diverse communities where people can live, work and enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Led by WSP, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, the multidisciplinary team will work closely with communities to co-design a framework for up to 10,000 new homes, alongside green streets, cultural spaces and modern infrastructure that supports walking, cycling and public transport. It’s about more than buildings – it’s about creating a city centre that works for everyone, blending homes with shops, leisure and community spaces to bring new life and energy to Plymouth. Homes England’s involvement is critical to delivering this vision. Their expertise and investment will help accelerate regeneration, ensuring Plymouth becomes a national exemplar for sustainable city living.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “This is a game-changing moment for Plymouth. Over the past few years, we’ve delivered major improvements to our city centre – from the transformation of Armada Way, Old Town Street/New George Street, our improvement works to Royal Parade and the recently announced project to reimagine the Civic Centre.
“But what’s been missing is housing. This masterplan will unlock that potential, creating thousands of new homes alongside green spaces and vibrant streets that people can enjoy.
“What excites me most is that this isn’t just about drawing up plans behind closed doors. Our residents will be at the heart of shaping this vision, with lots of opportunities to get involved and tell us what matters to them. Together, we can create a city centre that is truly for everyone – a place to live, work and thrive.”
Led by WSP’s chief economist and Director, Professor Jim Coleman, the team will ensure Plymouth’s bold plans are both ambitious and achievable – finding innovative ways to fund new homes despite tough market conditions. Adding design flair are nationally acclaimed architects Glenn Howells and Alex Ely. Howells, renowned for shaping Birmingham’s city centre and its “Our Future City” framework, brings expertise in large-scale regeneration. Alex Ely, founder of Stirling Prize-winning Mae Architects, has delivered major residential masterplans, including Enfield’s Meridian Water. They’ll collaborate with local talent too; Plymouth’s LHC Design, Truro’s Lavigne Lonsdale, Devon-based Gillespie Yunnie Architects, Makower Architects, and DNCO.
The WSP-led team was chosen for its proven track record in delivering complex regeneration projects and its ability to bring together a truly multidisciplinary team. Their experts in placemaking, architecture, transport, infrastructure, and property advice will work alongside branding and engagement specialists to ensure the vision is compelling, inclusive, and rooted in Plymouth’s identity. Highly regarded local practices will also play a key role, ensuring the proposals reflect the character and aspirations of the city.
The work will unfold in three phases: first, building a clear picture of Plymouth today and shaping an early vision; then refining options for the City Living Development Framework and City Centre Masterplan; and finally producing detailed reports, 3D models, and sustainability appraisals to guide delivery on the ground. This isn’t just about plans on paper – it’s about creating a strong case for investment and positioning Plymouth as a national leader in sustainable urban living.
Crucially, the community will be at the heart of this process. Residents, businesses, and local groups will have multiple opportunities to get involved through surveys, pop-up events, and co-design workshops. An interactive online platform, “Plymouth Listens”, will make it easy for people to explore ideas and share feedback. Every stage will include clear updates showing how public input is shaping the plans.
Jim Coleman, Director at WSP, added: “This is the ultimate opportunity to help Plymouth shape an urban vision that has been talked about for decades. Our priority is working hand in hand with the Council, local organisations and the community to ensure the masterplan reflects Plymouth’s unique character while creating sustainable, vibrant and inclusive spaces for future generations. We know how much people value their city centre, so listening and engaging throughout this process will be central to what we do.”
Joe Wharton, Assistant Director, Regional at Homes England, said: “As the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, we want to support public sector partners to achieve their regional housing ambitions. Our strategic partnership with Plymouth City Council will help turn ambition into reality, bringing thousands of quality homes to the heart of the city alongside the green spaces and infrastructure that communities need to thrive.
“We look forward to working with the council, WSP and local partners to deliver homes that people across Plymouth can be proud of.”
To find out more about the City Centre Living project: www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymouth-city-living-framework
About WSP
WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. With over 10,000 experts in the UK and Ireland and 75,000 globally, known as Visioneers, we pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, resources and industrial sectors. WSP is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:WSP).
