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Cargo puts down a marker for the future redevelopment of Millbay – a large, bold, striking urban block, which crisply articulates its component parts in an array of quality materials.

Practical issues are addressed with care and resolved and integrated into the overall matrix seamlessly and appropriately. Affordable accommodation is distributed across the scheme in a ‘pepper pot’ fashion rather then segregated, and only limited numbers of units share each individual access point, thus helping to personalise communal areas.

The individual units are light and airy and present an identical pallet of quality materials, finished and detailed in an unfussy and practical manner. Each unit provides an open external space, either in the form of a balcony, terrace or projecting bay, which further animates the street scene or central square, which provides a communal heart to the varied flats, town houses and ground floor commercial units forming its periphery edges. Whilst this square is not accessible to the general public at present, it is hoped that this aspect can be re-addressed following development and habitation of adjoining areas. Vehicular access and parking is accommodated below the central square by utilising the natural gradient of the site, and the public realm surrounding the block continues the use of finely detailed and finished quality materials.

Cargo has the potential to contribute significantly and influence dramatically the revitalisation and regeneration of Plymouth.