Plymouth Development Corporation - The Sites and Plans

The Sites and Plans

Three sites were designated and they were all on the waterfront. They were: part of Stonehouse, including the Royal William Victualling Yard (31 hectares); the nearby Mount Wise area (5 hectares); and Mount Batten on the other side of Plymouth Sound (31 hectares). MoD land at all three sites was transferred to the PDC.

The Royal William Victualling Yard was built in the early 19th century and is one of the country's most architecturally significant groups of maritime buildings, all Grade I listed. Development of the Yard was the single largest aspect of the corporation's remit, and the improvement of its poor road access was also important, as was the provision of sufficient car parking. Much of the Mount Wise site was derelict and was considered to be ideal for light industrial, commercial and residential development, the latter helped by its fine views across the River Tamar to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. The Mount Batten site had been used by the Royal Air Force until 1992, and although a large part was already designated as a scheduled monument, opportunity was seen for some residential and leisure development.