Post by Sherford on Aug 13, 2007 19:01:45 GMT
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SITE OF NEW TOWN IS FINALLY NAMED
06:50 - 21 July 2007
Sherford new town got the green light yesterday. The development east of Plymouth will bring affordable housing in the idyllic South Hams within reach for thousands of city families.Plans by South Hams District Council and the developer Red Tree to build a community of 5,500 homes were approved by a government-appointed inspector.
Half of the new properties will be affordable homes - and about 85 per cent of those will be for Plymouth people, according to Paul Barnard, the city's top planning official.
The first homes are expected on the site in Sherford Valley south of the A38 at Deep Lane in 2009, and 5,500 homes will be built by 2021.
However, Mr Barnard said development could continue beyond that: "There is provision in the North Plymstock Area Action Plan for the future westward growth back into the city."
John Tucker, the leader of South Hams District Council, welcomed the high level of affordable housing.
"We don't want to build houses that someone is going to make a million on the following week," he said. "We want to build houses that are affordable for local people.
"The way Plymouth is growing, there are a lot of families who want to move out of the city. Sherford will help their quality of life. It shouldn't just be for the rich people. Everyone is entitled to a decent quality of life."
John Waldron, area director of Connells estate agents, said: "The South Hams is in dire need of affordable housing. Many South Hams villages are heavily populated by second homes, which drives up prices and prices out local people, particularly young couples.
"The fact that so much of Sherford will be affordable will probably draw in people from Plymouth.
"But it will not have a significant effect on property values because there is such a huge, pent-up demand, and this development will take place over a number of years."
The Sherford development is covered by the Sherford Area Action Plan, which inspector Nigel Payne declared to be 'sound' on most points.
A second inspector found the North Plymstock Area Action Plan to be sound, further opening the door for the Sherford development.
The decision is a blow for the Plymouth and South West Co-operative Society's alternative, known as Sherford Refined, which would have moved the development farther south in the Sherford Valley between Plympton and Plymstock.
"Whilst recognising that the alternative site, known as Sherford Refined, has a few advantages ... I have firmly concluded that, overall, the identified site is clearly to be preferred," Mr Payne said.
The Co-operative Society said: "Despite huge local opposition in the Elburton area, the inspector has decided that it is acceptable to construct a road through the King George V playing fields. "The road will be a direct route from Sherford new community, linking through to Haye Road."
Douglas Fletcher, the society's chief executive, said: "The interesting issue now is whether the members of Plymouth City Council are prepared to vote for this to happen. I am sure that local residents will make their feelings clear to their local councillors on that matter.
"Our presentation of Sherford Refined has ensured that there has been a proper debate rather than a 'rubber-stamping'."
Vivien Pengelly, the leader of Plymouth City Council, was 'bitterly disappointed' that the inspector did not take on board all of her party's concerns.
"While in opposition we voted against the North Plymstock Area Action Plan as we were unhappy with a number of key points," she said. "I was disappointed that the government inspector did not take into account all the concerns we raised.
"We are particularly concerned about the King George V playing fields. We shall work to ensure that the planned link road to the A379 goes to the north of the playing fields.
"We will also work with South Hams to gain a swimming pool within the Plymstock boundary."
South Hams will formally adopt the plan on August 2, and Plymouth City Council's own debate will follow on August 6.
Patrick Nicholson, the Conservative city councillor for Plympton St Mary, said that August 6 was too soon to be adopting the report. "I think it's a sad day for Plympton and Plymstock," he said. "This is a development we'll be living with for ever.
"The implications for Plympton are horrendous as far as traffic is concerned."
SITE OF NEW TOWN IS FINALLY NAMED
06:50 - 21 July 2007
Sherford new town got the green light yesterday. The development east of Plymouth will bring affordable housing in the idyllic South Hams within reach for thousands of city families.Plans by South Hams District Council and the developer Red Tree to build a community of 5,500 homes were approved by a government-appointed inspector.
Half of the new properties will be affordable homes - and about 85 per cent of those will be for Plymouth people, according to Paul Barnard, the city's top planning official.
The first homes are expected on the site in Sherford Valley south of the A38 at Deep Lane in 2009, and 5,500 homes will be built by 2021.
However, Mr Barnard said development could continue beyond that: "There is provision in the North Plymstock Area Action Plan for the future westward growth back into the city."
John Tucker, the leader of South Hams District Council, welcomed the high level of affordable housing.
"We don't want to build houses that someone is going to make a million on the following week," he said. "We want to build houses that are affordable for local people.
"The way Plymouth is growing, there are a lot of families who want to move out of the city. Sherford will help their quality of life. It shouldn't just be for the rich people. Everyone is entitled to a decent quality of life."
John Waldron, area director of Connells estate agents, said: "The South Hams is in dire need of affordable housing. Many South Hams villages are heavily populated by second homes, which drives up prices and prices out local people, particularly young couples.
"The fact that so much of Sherford will be affordable will probably draw in people from Plymouth.
"But it will not have a significant effect on property values because there is such a huge, pent-up demand, and this development will take place over a number of years."
The Sherford development is covered by the Sherford Area Action Plan, which inspector Nigel Payne declared to be 'sound' on most points.
A second inspector found the North Plymstock Area Action Plan to be sound, further opening the door for the Sherford development.
The decision is a blow for the Plymouth and South West Co-operative Society's alternative, known as Sherford Refined, which would have moved the development farther south in the Sherford Valley between Plympton and Plymstock.
"Whilst recognising that the alternative site, known as Sherford Refined, has a few advantages ... I have firmly concluded that, overall, the identified site is clearly to be preferred," Mr Payne said.
The Co-operative Society said: "Despite huge local opposition in the Elburton area, the inspector has decided that it is acceptable to construct a road through the King George V playing fields. "The road will be a direct route from Sherford new community, linking through to Haye Road."
Douglas Fletcher, the society's chief executive, said: "The interesting issue now is whether the members of Plymouth City Council are prepared to vote for this to happen. I am sure that local residents will make their feelings clear to their local councillors on that matter.
"Our presentation of Sherford Refined has ensured that there has been a proper debate rather than a 'rubber-stamping'."
Vivien Pengelly, the leader of Plymouth City Council, was 'bitterly disappointed' that the inspector did not take on board all of her party's concerns.
"While in opposition we voted against the North Plymstock Area Action Plan as we were unhappy with a number of key points," she said. "I was disappointed that the government inspector did not take into account all the concerns we raised.
"We are particularly concerned about the King George V playing fields. We shall work to ensure that the planned link road to the A379 goes to the north of the playing fields.
"We will also work with South Hams to gain a swimming pool within the Plymstock boundary."
South Hams will formally adopt the plan on August 2, and Plymouth City Council's own debate will follow on August 6.
Patrick Nicholson, the Conservative city councillor for Plympton St Mary, said that August 6 was too soon to be adopting the report. "I think it's a sad day for Plympton and Plymstock," he said. "This is a development we'll be living with for ever.
"The implications for Plympton are horrendous as far as traffic is concerned."