An example 9 mark question evaluating the effect of government policies in Devonport, Plymouth over its history and how they have influenced change in the area.
Explain how government policies have affected the character of a place you have studied (9 marks)
The character of a place is made up from the physical and human features that distinguish it from
other places. The character of Devonport in Plymouth was heavily affected in recent years, mostly by
external factors such as the interference of the Navy and the government. Devonport had originally
been a thriving town until the Navy requisitioned it as a storage enclave, splitting it in two with a
three-metre-high wall. The wall improved security but the area became increasingly deprived both as
a result of the decline in naval jobs and the wall’s displacement of the residents caused by the wall.
The majority of shops in the town closed and the criminal activity in the area rose due to the lack of
proper education.
Devonport had become run-down and widely considered a deprived area, but with the help of
government funding the situation has significantly improved (although there are some areas where
regeneration is still necessary). Government policies have contributed to the changing character of
Devonport as in order to combat the social inequalities, after 2001, Devonport received the New
Deal for Communities funding of £48.7 million which enabled an extensive regeneration scheme to
be carried out. Devonport also benefitted from the Homes and Communities programme, set up to
help fix the stalled housing developments after the economic downturn in 2008. It provided £2.8
million which continued to aid the programme, attracting a wider range of people who then had
options for shared ownership or social housing. The Devonport Action Plan intended to use land use
policies and proposals to promote Devonport as a thriving neighbourhood and improve issues
surrounding place like crime, community, and housing, as well as those specific to people, such as
education, health, and employment.
Government policies also changed the physical environment of Devonport which has contributed to
the city’s changing character. For example, the naval wall which had divided the town for so long was
taken down, as were 565 flats which were replaced with 1100 new homes. Meanwhile, historical
landmarks of the town were incorporated into the new architecture developed during the
regeneration scheme, for example St Aubyn’s Church was refurbished as a library and a worship
house. The derelict area became a greener and more social place, for example the Devonport
Guildhall made a centre for social enterprise. In 2011, Devonport also introduced their new Heritage
Trial. The Admiralty has released several land plots in Devonport which has assisted the regeneration
project, and the waterfront district of Devonport is becoming one of the most desired residential
areas of the city of Plymouth. The redevelopment of Devonport was announced in 2020 to continue
by creating 600 jobs at Devonport’s docks and allowing it to refit nuclear submarines.
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