Sherford, Devon, becomes first planning application to get approval under the new Local Development Framework system

Proposals for the 5,500-home new settlement, Sherford urban extension, Plymouth, have  been given the green light by South Hams District Council following approvals from the city council and the county council.

The passing of the 'Resolution to Grant' by the District is the culmination of a lengthy planning process that has involved widespread debate and consultation. Hiowever, the scheme has become embroiled in a local wrangle over the scheme's name.

Speaking about the decision, James Koe, partner at Red Tree, commented: 'Following such protracted debate over the last few years, I welcome the decision which gives Red Tree not only the right to take development forward but an enormous responsibility to deliver a community that the region can be proud of.

'It is not every day that you get approval to build a town, subject of course to very detailed conditions, and this is a unique opportunity to show what can be done if the right skill-sets and passion are focussed on the job.

'Our task is to ensure that Sherford is a community which will be vibrant and a place in which people love to live and work. It is a very beautiful Devon valley on the edge of the Moor, a stone's throw to one of the most wonderful coastlines in England and also an integral part of reinvigorating the city of Plymouth. There can be fewer more exiting development projects in the country.'

Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive of the The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, the masterplanners for Sherford, said: 'It's a credit to all involved in the Sherford project that the South Hams and Plymouth now stand to inherit an outstanding example of traditional urban design that is bound to positively benefit generations of people to come'

The application documents for Sherford have been scrutinised in detail by independent experts, statutory bodies and planning authorities themselves across a very wide range of specialist and technical fields. An independent assessment of its environmental sustainability and energy efficiency by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) concluded that the 'highly commendable' proposals were rated 'Exemplar' - the first time that such a distinction has been awarded to a planning application on this scale.

Importantly, Sherford is the first planning application of this scale to receive approval under the new Local Development Framework system. The detailed planning process for Sherford began with an Enquiry by Design held in 2004. Following this, South Hams District Council published the Sherford Area Action Plan (a Sherford specific development plan document) Issues and Options in October 2004. Preferred Options was published in June 2005 and Submission Stage in June 2006. Following an Examination in January to April 2007 by the Planning Inspectorate the Sherford AAP was adopted in August 2007.

Plymouth City Council followed a similar timescale for the North Plymstock Area Action Plan, which covers the south west corner of Sherford, also adopting their Area Action Plan in August 2007.

James Koe commented: 'We have found it very interesting to be at the forefront of the new LDF process. No new process is perfect, but if you look at the timeline from the start of the detailed planning process to receiving Resolution to Grant for this major planning application for a new town, the 'flash to bang' was under four years. It can seem like a lifetime but it is quite an achievement for all involved.'

Red Tree now looks forward to continuing to work closely with South Hams District Council Plymouth City Council and Devon County Council in refining and concluding the planning agreement for Sherford and in parallel putting in place the elements necessary to implement a planning permission. Subject to this, Red Tree would commence development on the site in late 2008, early 2009.