Plymouth National Marine Park gets big volunteer response

The planned National Marine Park in Plymouth will be the first of its kind in the UK

More than 100 people have already signed up to volunteer for Plymouth's planned National Marine Park.

Plymouth City Council said people have been enthusiastic about the project which is set to cost £22m and would be the first of its kind in the UK.

A recruitment project is being launched to find volunteers for the park at Plymouth Sound.

The aim of the park is to engage residents and businesses with the sea and marine environment.

It will also aim to protect the area's 1,000 marine species and help combat climate change.

'Make it happen'

The council's cabinet reviewed the project's costs at a recent meeting and agreed to allocate £2m of funding already in the budget.

Councillors also approved a £2m fundraising target to be underwritten by the council which is expected to be met by levelling up funding.

The cabinet additionally accepted a £500,000 contribution from watersports charity the Mount Batten Centre towards work on a pontoon there.

Council leader Tudor Evans said the authority had spent two years "road testing" the project with 10,000 people engaging in activities and it was now time to "make it happen".

Refurbishments planned

As part of a five-year funding programme, work is due to be undertaken to refurbish the first floor and terrace of Tinside Lido, with Mr Evans describing its current state as "grim".

The programme would also include the refurbishment of the Mount Batten Centre's cafe and sea projects for schoolchildren.

Mr Evans said the project would also see two swimming platforms off Plymouth Hoe coming back into use in time for the summer.

He added the "awesome" project would revolutionise how people connect with, enjoy and celebrate the sea.