A large hotel and multi-storey car park are to be built in Plymouth as part of an £80million plan to revamp the city’s railway station.
A consultation has begun on proposals to tear down the existing three-level car park on the site, and the redundant Rail Incident Safety Centre (RISC) building and replace them with eye-catching new structures.
It is part of a masterplan which will also see the towering but dilapidated Intercity House railway station skyscraper redeveloped and turned into a University of Plymouth campus for training health professionals.
Under the wider plan the existing car park, opposite the station’s entrance, will be replaced with a hotel and a second university building.
The proposed new car park, almost doubling capacity with 469 spaces, will go on the site of the RISC building.
Station staff accommodation will be modernised and significant new public space created including a direct pedestrian link to North Cross and the city centre.
The plan, and new architects’ images, have been revealed just weeks after the university unveiled its vision for the 11-storey Intercity House.
It wants the 42m-high monolith, currently mostly empty but with some offices being used by firms, emptied and reconfigured inside and out and renamed Intercity Place.
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The block’s two main facades would be re-clad in a light bronze coloured anodised aluminium and “fins” around the windows will mean it will reflect light at different angles and colours and give it a “shifting and varying appearance”.
But most prominent for the city will be the creation of a glazed top floor viewing room, and possibly a “sky cafe”, which will act as a “beacon” at night for the city.
And an illuminated “halo” of LED lighting on the roof will also make the tower stand out at night and act as a landmark for the city.
The entire scheme is expected to cost in the region of £80million and has already received some financial support.
Through the One Public Estate scheme, the Cabinet Office has provided £500,000 for feasibility and planning work.
The masterplan has gone on show at the station and Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans said: “This is a massive regeneration scheme involving key organisations in Plymouth all committed to creating a real sense of arrival – a wow – when people come here by train.
“It’s a hugely complicated scheme with lots of different elements. The university’s vision for the tower means we have an anchor tenant but we now want to know the initial thoughts of those who use the station the most.”
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Professor Judith Petts , University of Plymouth Vice-Chancellor, said; “This forms an important part of the university’s ambitious estate plans which will transform the campus and reimagine university teaching and research spaces for the 21st century.
“The station scheme is an important part of these plans and will significantly improve this notable city landmark so that it becomes an exciting gateway into Plymouth.
“As a new home for allied health professions and nursing/midwifery, this builds on our already strong health credentials by making a significant investment in educating tomorrow’s health professionals for the region and beyond.”
Sara Rogers , GWR Plymouth station manager, said: “There are almost 2.5million passenger journeys through Plymouth every year, and it is easy to see why the station is regarded as the gateway to the South West. New Intercity Express Trains, providing almost 25% more seats on every train than the ones they have replaced are already in service, and from December this year we will see more frequent and faster journeys.
“In keeping with improved services, I am delighted rail users will now have the opportunity to see these upgrade plans and the next phase in the station’s development.”
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To contact William Telford: william.telford@reachplc.com