North Prospect facts for kids

North Prospect, also known as Swilly, is a neighborhood in Plymouth, England. It was home to the first council estate built in Plymouth during the 1920s. This estate was created mainly for officers returning home after the First World War. A special law called the housing act of 1919 promised "Homes for Heroes." It aimed to improve living conditions across Britain. Swilly was Plymouth's way of helping with this national effort.

What's in a Name? The History of Swilly

The name "Swilly" has a long history. It might come from an old English word meaning "farmland." But it could also be from a Celtic word linked to water. This makes sense because the earliest mention in Plymouth was "Swilly creek" in 1578. This was even before the farm existed!

Swilly House and Hospital

A grand building called Swilly House was once at the heart of a large country estate. Much of this old mansion was moved and rebuilt in a place called Woodtown, near Dartmoor.

There was also a place called Swilly Hospital. It was later renamed Scott Hospital, after Robert Falcon Scott. He was a famous explorer who lived nearby. This hospital started as a place for people to recover from illnesses. Later, it became a hospital for isolating patients with certain diseases. It was located in the middle of the estate. Sadly, some of the first bombs of the Blitz during the Second World War fell near here.

A famous composer named Ron Goodwin once lived in Swilly Crescent. He wrote music for movies like 633 Squadron. This street is now called Goodwin Crescent.

Changes and Challenges in Swilly

The council estate was designed with lots of open spaces and trees. It was a nice place to live until the 1950s. Around this time, the area started to face economic and social problems. The officers who first lived there began to move out. Poorer families from other parts of Plymouth, especially Devonport, moved in during the 1930s.

Over time, the council didn't invest much in the area. This meant the houses and the community became more vulnerable. The name "Swilly" even started to be used in a negative way for people facing financial hardship in Plymouth.

Becoming North Prospect

Because of this, efforts were made to change the name. In the 1970s, the area was officially renamed North Prospect. Since then, the area has seen some urban regeneration, which means improvements and new developments.

North Prospect has many homes and local shops along North Prospect Road. Even with the changes, some people in Devon and Cornwall still connect the name with economic struggles. However, new police efforts and community work are helping to improve the area's image.

A Strong Community Spirit

Despite its past reputation, many people who live in North Prospect love their community. A lot of residents grew up there and continue to call it home. North Prospect offers good homes for many families. It's also close to Plymouth city center and has many green, quiet spaces.

The area has a strong sense of community. Groups like the North Prospect Partnership work hard to make the estate better. For example, in July, a fun event called Swillyfest! was held. It included live bands, sports, and games for everyone.

Modern Redevelopment and Future

In March 2006, Plymouth City Council announced plans to replace the oldest houses on the estate. A study found that many homes had serious problems like damp and structural issues. It was decided that it would be cheaper to build new homes rather than just fix the old ones. This big project needed over £30 million and took many years of planning with the community.

New Homes and Community Hub

In 2010, Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) partnered with Barratt Homes to rebuild the estate. Barratt Homes tore down most of the old houses. They then built 574 new, modern, and energy-efficient homes.

Besides the new homes, a special place called the Beacon Community Hub was built. This hub includes a shop, a library (run by Plymouth City Council), and the North Prospect’s Sure Start nursery. It also has office spaces and flats. The North Prospect Community Choir also meets here. The hub opened in early 2014.

This redevelopment project has provided local families with affordable homes. Some of these homes were available through the government's Help to Buy scheme. Many new homes were also made available to tenants of Plymouth Community Homes. The project was finished in May 2017. It has even won awards, like the RICS 'Regeneration project of The Year (South West & Wales) Award 2013'.