New Plymouth trees proposals to be published

Armada Way was cleared of remaining trees and stumps last month

New proposals for the site of a contentious redevelopment that saw 100 trees felled are to be published as part of a public consultation.

Plymouth City Council said residents will be asked for their views from 17 October on the future of Armada Way.

Debris was cleared last month after the council first cut down the trees in March, sparking a High Court injunction to halt the project.

Council leader Tudor Evans said it was time to "rebuild and work together".

Acknowledging people had been "waiting a while" to see proposals, he said they took into account feedback already received, and were a "significant improvement" on previous plans.

The Armada Way site before it was cleared

Mr Evans said: "Rome was not built in a day. We have one chance to get this right. Whatever design we have - Plymouth will have to live with it for decades to come."

He also said Armada Way was "run down", while Plymouth needed a city centre which would "draw people to Plymouth, and encourage businesses and developers to invest".

Economic stability, environmental credentials and safety were also important, he added.

The council said it had now engaged ECF, an independent firm, to lead the public consultation that would "help shape the final design".

It said this would ensure the six-week process was "fair, transparent and in line with industry guidance and best practice".

It said ECF would also survey people on Armada Way and nearby locations, hold workshops and have conversations with key stakeholders.

Meanwhile, proposals would also be displayed on Armada Way, it said, while hard copies of the online survey would be available in Central Library.

The executive order to cut down the trees as part of a £12.7m regeneration project was signed by the former Conservative leader of the council, Richard Bingley.

Mr Bingley resigned from his role in March and Labour took control of the council following May's local elections.

Mr Evans has previously declined to comment on a pending judicial review, the unsuccessful applications to have it thrown out, or the cost of legal fees so far.