There has been some confusing reports over the summer about the current status of the new town at Sherford. As it is such a huge local issue, I thought I would clarify the up-to-date position.
Most of the 5,500 houses to be built over the next 20 years are in the South hams. 300 only are in Plymouth. There are two separate planning consents reflecting the two planning authorities, but one section 106 agreement – the massive document that sets out the obligations on the developers to build the extra facilities – like school and sports centre etc.
The building work is well under way and houses are being completed and bought every week. However, the developers have discovered that the design of buildings, many of them three storey Georgian houses, is not what the current market requires. We have to remember that the core design code for this new town was set in stone several years ago.
In recent weeks the developers have applied to the two planning authorities to insert greater flexibility into the design code. Planning officers have been negotiating with the developers and ended up with some compromises that they were happy to recommend to their councillors for approval. Plymouth councillors refused to approve, largely because of lack of consultation. The SHDC councillors gave the new arrangements the thumbs up. These decisions do not affect the parcel of land currently being developed.
The new flexibility will still ensure a high quality development that is different to anything else locally and will be a great place to live. On the back of this approval the developers have committed to build the new school in the very near future.
Unfortunately the Prince’s Foundation, who were involved in the original design, have objected to the new flexibility and asked the Secretary of State for Local Government to overturn the SHDC approval.
I am against this for two reasons: first it sets aside the locally made decision, and second, it is not necessary. The Prince’s Foundation has done good work in the build-up to this new town, but they do not seem to understand the commercial realities of life. There is no point in building houses that people do not want to buy.
I am urging the Secretary of State to reject their application and let this high quality development take its rightful course: 5,500 well-designed and built houses, twenty percent of them much-needed “affordable homes” for local people.