The Plympton & Plymstock edition of the newspaper is delivered to the East areas of Plymouth, sharing Plymouth news totally free to reader to the East of Plymouth, including:
- Billacombe
- Chaddlewood
- Elburton
- Goosewell
- Hooe
- Mount Batten
- Oreston
- Plympton
- Plymstock
- Pomphlett
- Turnchapel
- Underwood
See the full list of delivery areas by checking our map link HERE
Our top stories this week from the Plympton & Plymstock edition of the Plymouth Chronicle Newspaper are listed below. You can always keep up with our digital editions on our LATEST EDITION page for Plymouth News.
We source our news stories from the local community, do you have a news story that you think our readers will like? Head over to our contact page.
19. Major transformation at Mount Batten Centre after £4 million funding from Heritage Fund
Artist’s impression of the new outdoor seating area at the Mount Batten Centre Credit: LHC Design
Major redevelopment works are under way at the Mount Batten Centre, transforming the iconic gateway to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
The project promises to bring a number of important changes to enhance accessibility and visitor experience.
The redevelopment includes opening up the reception area to provide a warm and inviting welcome, creating a new ground floor café with direct access to outdoor seating and spectacular waterfront views, and designing new changing facilities to meet Sport England and Changing Places standards.
18. New Volvo dealership opens in Plymstock as part of major investment in the South West
The team at the new Volvo dealership in Plymstock
Vertu Motors has opened a new Volvo dealership in Plymstock as part of a £3.6 million expansion of its footprint in the South West.
The UK’s fourth largest motor retailer has has brought the Volvo brand back to Plymouth for the first time in 17 years and has also relocated its Volvo Yeovil dealership to a new site.
17. Charity Car Wash Raises Almost £1000
A car washing day held at Plympton Fire Station has raised £952 for the Fire Fighters Charity.
Fire service personnel from Plympton were joined by colleagues from Green Watch at Greenbank and the On-Call team at Crownhill to clean vehicles brought in by members of the public who in turn made donations to the charity.
Plympton Fire station’s next charity car wash will be sometime in September 2025, so keep an eye out for the date.Information about the work of the Fire Fighters Charity can be found at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
16. Weather Proves Taxing For Gardeners
Right: Lydia Ross receiving a prize winning shield from show secretary Paul Hutchings
Tricky weather conditions so far this year impacted on the number of exhibits on the benches of the Plympton Gardeners Association spring show at Harewood House in March but what was lacking in quantity was made up for in quality, with one exhibitor taking a show certificate at her first attempt.
Sue Howing Nicholls took a novice certificate award for winning class 14 with her colourful one bloom double daffodil.
Show secretary Paul Hutchings said he had contemplated cancelling this year’s spring event, but was encouraged to go ahead with it by a promise from two PGA members that they would put in enough entries to make a worthwhile show.
True to their word Lydia Ross and Lorna Rogers mustered over 100 exhibits between them to supplement the entries of other exhibitors.
15. New Stannator and community council officers are announced
Dave Partridge congratulating Cathy Loft after being elected to be his successor as the Stannator of Plympton
A woman who has spearheaded a band of clean up volunteers and worked tirelessly to keep Plympton free of litter over the past few years is to become the new Stannator of Plympton.
The role of Stannator is similar to that of a town mayor and is chosen annually from among nominees carrying out voluntary work which benefits the Plympton community.
Cathy Loft, the founder of Plympton Litter Pickers, was elected to be the next Stannator in a contested secret ballot held at the Plympton Community Council annual meeting on March 28.
She will be invested into office and take over from current Stannator Dave Partridge in a ceremony to be held at Harewood House towards the end of April.
14. Sadness after shock death of former Stannator
The Plympton community has reacted with shock after learning of the sudden and unexpected death of former Stannator Sally Luscombe.
She was discovered deceased on March 15 having passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Earlier in the day concerns had been expressed for the welfare of the popular octogenarian when she didn’t turn up to display her planned exhibits at the Plympton Gardeners spring show.
Sally was a much loved and respected member of the Plympton St Maurice community. She became known across the wider Plympton area during her year as Stannator in 2014/15. She greatly enjoyed the role and one of her highlights was to be among a party to meet Queen Elizabeth II at Plymouth Railway Station.
Sherford residents ready to take part in the rural skills event Photo: Dom Moore
The Sherford community is demonstrating that even new towns can have rich heritage connections, thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant that is helping residents learn traditional rural skills.
Having recently developed and rolled out a Heritage Skills Training Programme, Sherford residents are now preparing to showcase their newly acquired skills to the wider community.
12. Greens call for urgent action on Chaddlewood Fields
Plympton’s Green Councillors have written to Plymouth City Council highlighting the community’s concern and dissatisfaction over the lack of any obvious action to improve the security of Chaddlewood playing fields following a council site meeting held there in August 2024 to consider what steps could be taken.
At last August’s meeting various measures were suggested, which included:
• Strengthening the locking system of the bollards to better prevent unauthorised vehicle access.
• Installing planters at key access points to restrict entry to towing vehicles while still allowing appropriate access.
• Implementing tree planting and perimeter screening to provide a natural barrier that enhances security while improving the environmental value of the space.
More than six months later there has been no sign of any security improvements having been made.
11. Planners give green light for new country park at Saltram
Ambitious plans to create a huge new country park on the Saltram Estate have been approved by planners at Plymouth City Council.
Saltram attracted over 930,000 visits in 2023 and the plans submitted by the National Trust are designed to provide greater access to nature, walking, cycling and other outdoor activities with.
An area of 79 acres at Wixenford – equivalent to 60 football pitches – currently used as farmland will become ‘Saltram East’ and is currently within the countryside park boundary, south east of Saltram.
10. Directly Elected Mayor Chronicle Feature
Angus Forbes with petition signatures.
‘Lack of leadership has hampered city’s growth’ & ‘No to a City Mayor’- voices from across Plymouth
Residents in Plymouth will decide if the city should have an elected mayor when a Referendum campaign group now called ‘Mayor for Plymouth’ which was spearheaded by Angus Forbes, former the city and in this special Chronicle feature the views of those in favour of and those against but it is likely to take place in July or August this year.
9. Plymstock Post By Councillors John Stephens, Daniel SteelStefan Krizanac and Maria Lawson
Daniel…new use for iconic phone boxes being investigated
Plymstock councillors continue to tackle key local issues, including frustrations over delayed infrastructure and amenities in Sherford, where residents still lack promised shops, medical services, and a secondary school. They are pressing The Sherford Consortium for action while celebrating new bus routes linking Sherford to Plympton.
Concerns over high management charges in Sherford persist, with councillors pushing for transparency and updates on road adoption. Anti-social behaviour, particularly vandalism in Knapps Close and Blackstone, remains a concern, as does parking in Elburton, with efforts ongoing to improve enforcement.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway about the future of Turnchapel’s iconic red phone box, with calls for community adoption rather than removal. Lastly, councillors back Plymouth’s Local Government Reorganisation plan, arguing it would better serve Plymstock and surrounding areas currently under South Hams District Council.
8. Rebecca’s Review
Rebecca Smith pictured at the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation reception at the Houses of Parliament
Rebecca Smith MP for South West Devon and Ward Councillor for Plymstock Radford with updates on supporting constituents
March has been yet another packed month getting down to work for South West Devon – fighting for local fishermen, speaking up for coastal communities in Parliament, raising concerns about the closure of Santander’s Plympton branch, receiving clarity on Mount Batten works and launching my pub competition!
Supporting South West Devon’s local economy has been a priority ahead of Labour’s disastrous Emergency Budget. Our 3,000 small businesses are reeling from the Labour Chancellor’s tax-hiking, anti-growth policies – I will continue to fight their corner in Westminster. If you’d like to book a surgery or just share your concerns over email, please do get in touch at rebecca.smith.mp@parliament.uk
7. PLYMSTOCK VENUE TO HOST BREAST HEALTH EVENT THIS SUMMER
Eighteen 87 – formerly the Morley Arms – is to be the venue for a major health festival in August.
Highlights of the festival-themed day include live entertainment with a variety of performances from local musicians, dancer acts and a DJ, as well as a selection of unique stalls. Visitors can also treat themselves to festival-themed hair and makeup sessions.
The event is being organised by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Primrose Centre Breast Screening nurse Kayleigh Davenport.
6. Cancer survivor Jon in Atlantic challenge
Jon Reilly (centre)
Three airline pilots are taking on one of the world’s most extreme endurance challenges – rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in the World’s Toughest Row 2026.
Among them is Jon Reilly from Ivybridge, a testicular cancer survivor whose journey of resilience has inspired the team’s mission to raise £150,000 for cancer support charities.
The team, known as the Coastal Commanders, will row non-stop from the Canary Islands to Antigua, facing more than 40 days at sea, unpredictable weather, sleep deprivation, and relentless physical demands – all to support Young Lives vs Cancer and Move Against Cancer.
5. Work starts on key road for Plymouth and South Devon Freeport growth
Project partners at the Langage spine road project (from left): Sam Lees (Cormac), John Allatt
(Cormac), Elliott Flynn (Devon County Council), Richard May (PASD Freeport), Chris Yeo (Cormac),
Jan Ward (PASD Freeport), Ian Bounsall (Cormac), Councillor Rufus Gilbert (Devon County Council),
Councillor John Hart (Devon County Council), Eric Adams (Carlton Power), Chris Brook (South Hams
District Council), and Dominic Bostock (Cormac)
Construction of a key link to a major site within the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport is getting underway.
Partners from the Freeport came together to mark the start of work on the spine road which will connect to the Freeport’s largest tax site at Langage, and unlock almost eight hectares of employment land.
The Devon County Council scheme is a 360-metre single carriageway road which will extend the existing Kingsway Road/Holland Road close to Langage Power Station. It will also provide a footway on the western side of the road, with a bi-directional cycle path on the opposite side. It will be constructed by Cormac and is due for completion by December 2025.
4. Iconic St Luke’s Men’s Day Out fund raiser is another sell-out success
Caption – St Lukes Plymouth Men’s Day Out 2025.
Photo by Paul Slater Images Ltd – Tel 07512838472.
An incredible 2,500 men took to the streets of Plymouth on March 22, striding out to honour their much-missed loved ones and show their support for the independent charity that provides specialist end of life care for local families.
Sunny skies made an unexpected appearance as the biggest gathering yet of big-hearted chaps of all ages turned out for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s Men’s Day Out, setting off from Plymouth Albion rugby ground at Devonport to walk 12km along the waterfront and through the city – a reversal of the route to ring the changes for regular participants.
The iconic sold-out event – the biggest men’s charity walk of its kind in the South West and beyond – has gained huge momentum over the years. Since it was first held in 2014, with just 574 walkers, it has raised more than £1 million through sponsorship and donations to fund the clinical, practical and emotional support St Luke’s provides for people in their last months, weeks and days of life and their families.
3. Councillors call for action on Deep Lane junction
Plympton’s four independent councillors have held a meeting with Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans and Transport portfolio holder Cllr Mark Coker to discuss growing concerns over the safety of the Deep Lane End junction on the A38.
Speaking on behalf the group Cllr Patrick Nicholson said:
“Plympton Councillors are pleased to have met with Cllr Evans, Cllr Coker and the city’s Senior Highway Officer to outline Plympton’s concerns and to seek Plymouth City Council’s support in raising this with Devon County Council, National Highways and the Freeport Board.”
Devon County Council are responsible for the junction and promised investment at the junction when the Sherford new town was approved, but the Plympton councillors claim insufficient progress has been made to accommodate the significant increase in traffic to Sherford and Langage.
2. Women’s football : a Plymouth legacy?
Photo courtesy PAFC
The Plymouth Chronicle is excited to announce a collaboration with Argyle Life to provide regular Plymouth Argyle content from the perspective of the fans. We’ll be publishing regular pieces from Argyle Life contributors in print and via our website at www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk.
Our latest article, written before the Argyle Women’s game against Exeter in the Devon FA Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Newton Abbot is from lifelong Argyle fan and one of the founders of Argyle Life, Aaron Hocking.
1. New e-cycle hub opens at Coypool
A wide range of adapted
e-cycles are available
A new hub of adapted e-cycles has opened at Coypool Park and Ride.
The cycles have been made to make cycling easier for the rider, whatever their individual needs.
This project will be one of the first networks to offer adapted electric assist cycles and is an inclusive service for people of all ages and abilities and promotes increased participation in active travel.
The fleet includes 10 recumbent adapted electric assist trikes, ensuring a variety of options for users.
A taster event was held recently where members of the public were able to go on free led rides. The new hub at Coypool supplements the existing hub of adapted cycles at Foulston Park (formerly Brickfields) where high-quality cycling experiences have been provided in a safe and welcoming environment.
