The people behind Sherford, a new town just outside of Plymouth, call it ‘one of the most ambitious residential developments in the UK’. It began construction way back in 2015 and altogether is costing an enormous £1 billion. Several thousand people already live there, but it’s still missing one crucial thing: permanent shops.
Last summer locals complained that, 10 years after Sherford began construction, there were still no shops in the area besides a coffee shop. The nearest grocery store was the Co-op a 25-minute walk away. But finally, it’s been confirmed that Sherford will be getting its own official town centre, with plenty of places for residents to spend their dosh.
A planning application was submitted for Sherford’s centre in August. The town square – a ‘crucial addition to Sherford's growing infrastructure’ – will be home to essential shops, a 6,000-square-foot nursery and commercial spaces plus 40 apartments above those commercial spaces. There’ll also be a big convenience store spanning 4,500 square feet.
According to planners, the look of the town centre will mirror the ‘Georgian-style elegance and traditional design’ seen in the area’s first phase. Developers say the existing green space on the site will ‘be enhanced to create an attractive area where residents and visitors can socialise and enjoy community events’.
If the plans are given the green light, construction of the new hub would start in 2026 and be open for business just one year later in 2027. Apparently, the centre has taken this long to come to fruition because of ‘commercial and legal complexities that required careful resolution’.
Peter Sadler, managing director of Vistry South West, which is part of the Sherford Consortium, said: ‘The submission of this planning application represents a pivotal moment for Sherford and its residents.
‘This local centre will deliver the essential neighbourhood facilities that our community has been eagerly awaiting. While bringing this project forward has taken longer than originally anticipated due to the complexities involved, we are now in a strong position to move ahead with this exciting development.
‘The local centre will create a genuine heart for this part of Sherford, combining practical amenities with beautiful community spaces that reflect the quality and character residents expect.’
Sherford already has 3,000 residents in 1,100 completed homes, plus a school, community hub, sports hub, play facilities, country park and a temporary convenience store. By the time it’s finished it hopes to have 5,500 homes and 12,000 residents.
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