Royal William Yard

Plymouth, UK

Royal William Yard

A public realm strategy to transform Royal William Yard, the ex-naval storage yard set on a spectacular headland on Plymouth’s coast, into a thriving new community and tourist attraction.

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Gillespies was appointed with Mott MacDonald to address the physical regeneration of this ex‑naval storage yard, to re‑activate it whilst retaining its unique character. The firm produced a public realm strategy as an integral part of the regeneration of this magnificent site.

The paving design was an important component of the scheme and involved extensive research, testing, cost analysis and consultation with key stakeholders such as English Heritage. On completion of this rigorous process, paving materials were developed that utilised the original two-hundred-year-old granite as well as other materials — a combination was required to comply with the performance requirements for the new vehicular uses of the site.

"The Royal William Yard project presented a major challenge to the consultant team to design and implement a new contemporary public realm within the constraints of one of the highest status groups of Grade 1 Georgian naval buildings in the country. Gillespies (in partnership with engineers Mott MacDonald) provided an excellent service at all stages throughout the course of this project, retaining a strong focus on the physical delivery of the project above all else."

Alastair Godfrey, Professional Services Manager, (SWRDA)