Exploring ideas for Mount Batten Tower

Plymouth’s historic Mount Batten Tower could be open to the public more often as part of the Council’s ongoing campaign to make the most of the city’s amazing waterfront.

A feasibility study is underway to see if the tower, which was built in 1652 to protect the entrance to the Sound, can be opened up and the history of the headland better celebrated.

Consultants Levitate will be at the tower to find out the public’s understanding of the history of Mount Batten and to explore ideas for the future.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “We are making more of our amazing waterfront and want to find ways to celebrate some of the historic monuments we have.

“This tower is already in the spotlight much more – literally – as we installed lights around its base as part of our project to light up city landmarks and we have plans to put lights around the top too.

“Now we want to see if we can encourage more people to get up close and get to know more about the city’s history.”

The historic tower is a scheduled monument and takes its name from Captain William Batten, a commander in Cromwell’s Parliamentarian navy.

It was built during the Commonwealth period and held up to 10 guns on the upper floor to provide protection to the Eastern side of the Plymouth estuary as well as to defend the entrance to Cattewater and Sutton Harbour.

From 1913 the headland was used as an airbase by the Royal Navy and then the Royal Air Force.

Plymouth City Council has recently secured £155,000 for improvements to Mount Batten £84,000 from Historic England, £50,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund as well as £21,000 Council find

Anyone unable to attend next week’s event at the tower can give their thoughts at http://plymouth-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/