New vision for future of Plymouth's beautiful Hoe

A detailed plan has been drawn up for Plymouth’s famous Hoe which seeks to protect the heritage of the “urban village” - and even its breathtaking views. The Hoe Neighbourhood Forum’s Neighbourhood Plan seeks to create policies to control the size and quality of new developments, protect views and buildings of heritage, improve buildings of “negative quality” and ensure shop fronts and redevelopments are of a high standard, while enhancing the environment and “green spaces”.

The 90-page document looks ahead with the aim of ensuring the Hoe “continues to be a thriving urban village in the heart of the city of Plymouth”, describing it as a “great place to live, work, visit and play”. The plan sets out policies on key themes such as heritage and design, blue and green spaces, pedestrians and transport, housing, and infrastructure.

It builds on current and planned activity, as set out in the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan, and, if adopted, would be valid until 2034. In the document, Penny Tarrant, chair of the Hoe Neighbourhood Forum, said: “This is a special location with a wide range of natural and built heritage, and it deserves our guardianship."

The forum has been working since 2017 to create the detailed vision for how the Hoe should develop during the next 10 years. And it is now inviting anyone who lives, works or has a business in the area to comment on the proposals.

A public consultation runs from now until January 6 2025 to allow people to review and comment on the Hoe Neighbourhood Plan. If adopted in a public referendum, the plan and its policies would become part of Plymouth City Council ’s planning process.

Mrs Tarrant said:, “The plan sets out a range of policies to ensure the community remains a vibrant place to live and work in the next 10 years. We would love to know what you think and find out if you share our vision. We hope to meet you at one of our consultation events and get your feedback so we can make it truly reflective of everyone who cares about our wonderful Hoe.”

The Localism Act of 2011 gave communities more power over planning issues in their area. The Hoe Neighbourhood Forum was set up in 2017 as a politically neutral community group to give people in the area a greater say in how the Hoe develops.

It is supported by councillors and is a statutory consultee for planning applications in the Hoe area. The area covered by the forum includes the Hoe, the Citadel, West Hoe, and an area south of Notte Street.

A working group from the forum drafted the Hoe Neighbourhood Plan which must now go through a formal public consultation with people in the Hoe community, Plymouth City Council, Historic England, and other official consultees.

Hilary Kolinsky, who led the working group, said: “The plan is a credit to all the local volunteers who worked tirelessly to research, draft, consult on and present it. My huge thanks and gratitude to everyone who has been involved, including our local councillors, Dave Chapman from Locality, and especially the steering group who have remained committed over many years.”

Following the public consultation, the forum must consider comments received and the plan will be finalised and submitted to the council. It will then be reviewed for regulatory compliance by an independent examiner.

The final stage is a referendum conducted by the council’s election unit. If the referendum passes, the Hoe Neighbourhood Plan will be adopted the council and used in evaluating planning applications in the Hoe area, alongside the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan.

Hoe residents businesses, and those who work in the Hoe Neighbourhood Area, can review and comment on the draft Hoe Neighbourhood Plan by visiting www.hoeforum.org.uk . There will be hard copies in Plymouth’s Central Library on Armada Way, the West Hoe Pub and the Gipsy Moth pub. There will also be drop-in events around the Hoe, with details on flyers and posters distributed throughout the area.

Plympton St Mary was the first area in Plymouth to have a neighbourhood plan formally adopted. Two other communities, Devonport and Barne Barton, are also in the process of developing neighbourhood plans.

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