First phase of major new Sherford project gets go ahead

The first phase of the major new Sherford community has been given the go ahead, which will bring much needed new homes and jobs to the area.

South Hams District Council and Plymouth City Council have given reserved matters planning consent to the first phase of the Sherford community – which will eventually include 5,500 homes and 83,000 square metres of schools, shops, community spaces and leisure facilities. This gives the go ahead for construction work on this new town to begin.

Work can now start on the first 570 homes, plus important work such as streets and cycleways, playing fields, civic spaces and local environmental considerations.

The Sherford development area straddles three local authority boundaries – Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and South Hams District Council – and the Sherford Consortium of developers are Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes and Linden Homes.

Councillor John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council said: “This is a further step on the way to delivering of the project. Sherford has been 20 years in the making, and this advanced step in planning approval is a milestone which marks the real beginning of Sherford as a town”

Councillor Michael Hicks, Executive Member for Strategy and Commissioning said: “Sherford will bring much needed houses and affordable homes for local people over the next 10 to 15 years, and with it comes employment opportunities for residents. It is a key development for providing homes in the South Hams and this latest planning approval brings us one step closer on the road to Sherford.”

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning for Plymouth City Council, said: “This really is fantastic news and it is a historic decision for Plymouth and surrounding areas. The Sherford development has been on the horizon for a long time and goes back to the 1990s. It is one of the three areas identified in our growth agenda for development.”

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Housing for Plymouth City Council, said: “The development will provide much needed new homes – including both affordable and private housing – as well as jobs and training opportunities for the area.

“It is a great example of partnership working between all the local authorities and developers, and this planning consent is the first step on an exciting new journey.”

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “We are delighted that Plymouth and South Hams have given the green light for Sherford, a major new development for Devon. In this first phase of the new community there will be a primary school with 420 places and early years support as well. We are working closely with partners in South Hams District Council and Plymouth City Council to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to enable this new community to thrive.”

Work is expected to start on the new development in the autumn.