Work has now started on improvements to the historic Civic Square in Plymouth’s city centre.
The Grade II listed Park and Garden is getting a makeover to showcase some of its existing heritage features as well as reinstate some of the paving patterns that were part of its original design.
The scheme has been developed with Historic England funding under the High Street Heritage Action Zone, and will see the previous ‘Bow Tie’ tessellated paving patterns reintroduced in the south of the square, made from granite blocks.
Planters will also have a makeover, with worn and damaged copings replaced and new ornamental planting and improved grass within the landscaped islands.
The copings around the main pond will be restored back to the original concrete, removing years of paint.
Seating will be repaired and relocated and the cobbles around the circular benches will be tidied up.
A section of narrow path outside the Council House will be widened.
The work, which will include preparing the ground before new granite is laid, is expected to take around 10 weeks to complete.
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The square is a Grade II registered park and garden and is important to our heritage. It currently looks a little tired and we are delighted that Historic England are able to support us with this scheme.
“Geoffrey Jellicoe was one of this country’s greatest landscape gardeners in his time and he designed this public square as part of the civic layout of Plymouth planned by the city architect H J W Stirling and based on Patrick Abercrombie and J Paton Watson's post-war plan for Plymouth of 1943. It is unique and part of the Plymouth and this country’s post-war history. It’s fair to say that importance is currently a bit lost. We hope these measures will help us showcase it.”
Simon Hickman from Historic England, said: “We are excited by the return of the tessellated paving to the Civic Square, which is based on the original designs. The square’s famous architect, Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, called for 'dignity and frivolity' in the original design of the square, and that’s what we’re hoping these plans will restore.”
The scheme is a more streamlined version of the original proposals unveiled in 2021.The current work is the first phase of the scheme and a second phase is planned for improvements specifically aimed at making the square more to attractive for walkers and cyclists.
The Civic Square scheme is not part of the Armada Way proposals.
The café kiosk is not affected by the works, which are being carried out by Morgan Sindall.