‘We do not yet know exactly what all of the underground objects are’
The scene in Millbay in January 2026 when a 400m cordon was put in place after a WWII bomb was found at a building site.(Image: PlymouthLive/William Telford)
Investigations are under way to find out if there are more unexploded bombs at a building site in Millbay.
Work started today at Plymouth Community Homes’ (PCH) development site between Bath Street and Martin Street to find out if buried objects could blow up.
The works are expected to take about six to seven weeks and will involve specialists carefully exposing and assessing the objects to establish exactly what they are and confirm they are safe.
But Plymouth City Council is reassuring the public that the area is safe and not out of bounds – and there are no plans to evacuate nearby buildings while the objects remain underground.
Given the site’s history – which has included commercial premises, a brewery, a builder’s yard, a nightclub, a garage and a car park – there are a number of possible explanations for the objects, including reinforced concrete, former infrastructure or other historic industrial materials.
But during previous ground surveys, several underground metal objects and “anomalies” have been found.
One item discovered in November 2024 turned out to be a metal drain cover – but a small unexploded bomb was found and safely dealt with in January this year.
A number of other objects remain underground and need further investigation before construction can proceed.
The site is being prepared for new houses to be built and PCH has been carrying out surveys and assessments before construction starts.
Plymouth City Council said that completing the surveys and assessments is a standard and essential step in ensuring the site is suitable for development and can be brought forward safely.
Hoarding will be installed around the site in the coming weeks, as is standard for construction and investigative works.
Experts have confirmed that, while the objects remain underground, the area is safe and there is no need for residents, businesses or visitors to avoid the area.
There is also no requirement for any evacuation while the investigation is taking place.
But the council said that should specialists discover anything that requires further assessment or disposal, there is a small possibility that a cordon extending beyond the site boundary may be needed.
Any decision on this would be based on expert advice at the time, and residents and businesses would be kept informed.
The authority was keen to give out the clear message that the area is currently safe and there is no cause for concern.
Cllr Chris Penberthy, cabinet member for community safety, said: “The first thing to make clear is that we do not yet know exactly what all of the underground objects are.
“Given the history of the site, there is every chance they could be nothing more than old infrastructure or equipment associated with previous uses of the land.
“However, before development can begin, those objects need to be properly investigated and assessed. That’s exactly what these specialist works will do.
“We are sharing this information now so local residents and businesses understand what is happening on the site and why.
“The important message is that the area is safe, there is no requirement to evacuate, and people can continue with their daily activities as normal.
“Should that position change at any point, we will provide updates as quickly as possible.”
Andrew Lawrie, head of development at PCH, said: “These investigations are part of the final stages of preparing our Bath Street development site for the delivery of much-needed affordable homes in the heart of Plymouth.
“As with all major developments, particularly on historic brownfield sites in plympton >Plymouth city centre, we are carrying out thorough surveys and assessments to ensure the land is fully safe before construction progresses.
“The specialist works now taking place are precautionary and are designed to identify and assess a number of underground anomalies detected during previous surveys.
“At this stage we do not know exactly what all of these objects are, but they are being investigated carefully and in line with established safety procedures.
“The important message we want to reiterate to residents, businesses and visitors is that the site remains safe, there is no need to avoid the area, and there is currently no requirement for any evacuation.
“This development will deliver much-needed affordable homes for local people, and we remain committed to keeping the community informed as work progresses.”
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