AWAITING UPDATE

In February 2006 a group consisting of Mutley residents, representatives from local community groups, traders, faith groups, councillors and schools came together with a common aim; to consider the implications for Mutley residents of recent changes in the shopping centre and surrounding streets that have, arguably, affected their culture and quality of life.

 One factor that was identified was that residents tend to live in small pockets without any real sense of shared identity. There is no secular community space where residents can meet, socialise and share their concerns, and the busy main road of the Plain itself tends to cut the community in half. With houses increasingly in multiple occupancy and a large transient population, sometimes many people never get to speak to their neighbours. 

With many residents feeling that Mutley had lost its ‘heart’ it soon became clear that Mutley needed a place of safety, where residents could come together as a community and access resources, support and information. The word ‘Mutley’ apparently originates as a corruption of two words - Gemot-leah - meaning the place of meeting. 

A public meeting was organised to focus on the possibility of establishing a new ‘community heart’ for Mutley which would possibly take the form of a ‘Mutley Meeting Place’. Residents and stakeholders were invited to discuss what sort of a venture might be desirable and feasible and what services would best meet the wishes and needs of the local community. 

The meeting was chaired by Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy and followed by a short presentation exploring the benefits and drawbacks of Mutley Plain in the present. An open session for questions and suggestions rounded up the evening which had been well attended by over 50 people. 

A questionnaire survey has since been carried out to further identify the need for such a facility and gain people’s views. The results show that there is indeed a need and support for such a ‘Meeting Place’ in Mutley. 

The steering group are continuing to meet and pressing forward to see this vision become a reality. The next stage is to secure funding and premises and to start to plan for the provision of services to the people of Mutley. Further public meetings will be held to update the community on what progress is being made and provide opportunities for participation. 

If you are interested and would like to find out more or get involved we would love to hear from you. Contact Louise Baxter (Community Development Worker – Mutley Greenbank Trust); E-mail: development_community@yahoo.co.uk. Tel: 07792535315. Post: Mutley Greenbank Trust, c/o Mutley Baptist Church, Mutley Plain, Plymouth PL4 6LB. 

 Article from the Evening Herald 5th Feb 2007
"COMMUNITY CENTRE IDEA TAKES OFF"

Results of the questionnaire following public meeting in 2006