Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

SHERFORD

It is the biggest thing by far in this constituency and is likely to stay that way for the rest of my working lifetime: 4000 new homes to be built in the Sherford valley over the next fifteen years. It will impact our transport systems, our schools, our medical services and our way of life.

In the beginning, most of us were dead against it. If there was to be development in this area, let it be in Plymouth city centre, we all screamed, not on our delightful green fields. We campaigned hard for a rethink, but the government decided differently. South Hams Council had no choice but to include it in their plans and the die was cast.

Although it pains me to say it, this development looks like it is going to happen. Because we can do nothing to stop it I, together with most residents groups and councillors, have decided to engage with the decision makers to try and make sure that, if it does happen, it is as attractive as possible, and impacts our existing communities as little as possible.

The Council and the potential developers are to be congratulated on engaging the independent Princes Foundation to lead a process of discussions that have currently produced proposals that enjoy widespread support.

The process has not been perfect (Plympton was seriously underrepresented to start with) and there is still much work to be done, but it is not all doom and gloom. The emerging plan provides that there will be a green lung to the east of Sherford, to prevent further expansion of Plymouth, a buffer zone between the new town and Elburton, and the proposed building around Brixton has been axed. There is provision for a school and other amenities and many of the homes will be affordable homes for local people – the greatest need we face in this region.

Challenges remain. The main anxiety for most of us is traffic. The new town will put additional strain on the A379; will require a serious upgrade of the Deep Lane Junction and the traffic flows to Langage will increase significantly. I am desperately concerned about a possible rat run through picturesque Plympton St Maurice, something that simply cannot be allowed to happen.
There will be many more meetings and discussions to come. At the moment the developers are listening. It is important that we all have our say.

posted by Nigel on Monday, February 07, 2005