Mount Batten Watersports Centre

Project

Mount Batten Watersports Centre

Location

Plymouth

Client

Plymouth City Council

Contract

£3m

Duration

On site

Project Description

Classic Builders was awarded this prominent transformation contract to regenerate the Mount Batten Peninsula. This essential scheme forms a cornerstone of the wider Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (NMP) initiative, funded jointly by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Plymouth City Council, and the Levelling Up Fund.

The landmark project focuses on opening up a primary gateway to the UK’s first National Marine Park. The multifaceted development involves the sensitive structural remodelling of the existing Mount Batten Watersports Centre (MBWC) – originally converted from a former Royal Air Force Officer’s Mess in 1999 – alongside extensive civil works throughout the surrounding Public Realm and the historic 17th-century Mount Batten Tower artillery monument. The scheme is being delivered across tightly coordinated construction phases that protect active public watersports and ferry access.

The internal transformation of the main centre focuses heavily on expanding community capacity, improving workflow efficiency, and delivering gold-standard accessibility compliance aligned with Sport England and Changing Places frameworks.

The main architectural interventions include the structural demolition of non-load-bearing partitions to transition a restrictive floor plan into an open-concept facility. Access points are being modernised with a high-performance entrance draft lobby featuring fully automated, power-assisted doors. To ensure community inclusivity, the footprint features a brand-new, fully equipped ‘Changing Places’ compliant WC facility alongside the modernisation of the existing visitor toilets. The team is carrying out a structural reconfiguration of the legacy locker rooms to deliver a contemporary, inclusive, and gender-neutral changing village.

The public-facing catering facilities are being overhauled to house a ground-floor bistro café, and the central reception footprint is being rearranged into an interactive welcome and interpretation hub. This configuration establishes a seamless, light-filled flow connecting the reception desk, the busy bistro area, and the sweeping outside waterfront terrace.

The external infrastructure upgrades across the peninsula focus on improving public safety and enriching the visitor experience. The vehicle arrival zones are being upgraded with asphalt resurfacing, the integration of smart Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, and dedicated parking bays designed for motorhome holidaymakers. Close to the active waterfront and the bistro entrance, the team is expanding accessible parking provisions to guarantee step-free access straight to the shoreline. The panoramic seaward views over the Cattewater and Clovelly Bay are being maximised through the precision installation of architectural terraced seating and masonry steps.

Outside the bistro area, the team is removing the degraded timber decking to lay a durable, low-maintenance raised gravel garden space to create an informal, relaxing outdoor seating hub.

Pedestrian connectivity is further enhanced along the South West Coast Path, where Classic Builders is installing clear directional wayfinding signage and educational heritage interpretation boards. Finally, the site’s sustainable travel infrastructure is being future-proofed through the construction of a custom bus drop-off terminal and integrated public mobility hub.

Working closely with local marine authorities and council stakeholders, the team utilises a phased site layout, clear segregation barriers, and off-site logistical scheduling to safely deliver this state-of-the-art facility while keeping the peninsula active and open to the public.