Sherford

Happy 2025! This year is set to be one of Sherford's most exciting yet, so be sure to tuned to our page for all the latest updates and information about the growing new community.

Marking its ninth Christmas since construction began, Sherford has been transformed with twinkling lights, carols around the town Christmas tree, and events that have brought neighbours together to celebrate this special time of year. The annual Sherford Community Celebration kicked off festivities over the weekend, with carols around the town's Christmas tree, children's crafts and a bustling market filled with artisan gifts and local produce. The following day, Santa took to the streets, traveling through Sherford on his sleigh with his elves, to spread festive cheer. The arrival of Christmas in Sherford was made even more meaningful by this year’s charitable giving. As well as presenting the gift of a Christmas tree, the Sherford Consortium also made a £300 festive donation to local good causes. Sherford Community Trust received £150 to help fund mementos and materials for the community celebrations. A further £150 was donated to Jeremiah’s Journey, a local children’s bereavement charity that has supported several Sherford families. 

📣 PASD Freeport secures £25 million infrastructure investment Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has successfully drawn down the full £25 million from the Government for key infrastructure projects which will unlock growth and investment opportunities in the Freeport area. The full seed capital programme is designed to stimulate investment, job creation, support innovation and facilitate workforce development across the Freeport’s key sectors of marine, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, engineering and clean energy. The programme will deliver: > A Plymouth City Council direct development of two new buildings of innovation units and mezzanine office space at South Yard in Devonport > A factory extension for anchor tenants Princess Yachts that will enable them to build a new motor yacht incorporating all the latest sustainability developments at South Yard > A spine road extension by Devon County Council that will unlock Plot 7 and Plot 8 of Carlton Power Limited’s land at the Freeport’s largest tax site at Langage > Supply of power to Plot 2 and Plot 3 of Carlton Power’s development also at Langage > An access road off Holland Road to Carlton Power’s Plot 1 and Plot 2, leading to Plot 5, at Langage > A second Plymouth City Council direct development of four units – (circa 4,615sq m of flexible, high quality, sustainable workspace) at Langage – ground was broken on the development (Beaumont Way) at the start of December  > Land assembly enabling South Hams District Council & West Devon Borough Council to temporarily purchase and secure for Freeport purposes the tax site land at Sherford > Core infrastructure including drainage and utilities, and access road delivery by the Sherford Consortium to enable development at Sherford > A pedestrian/cycle bridge across the A38 by Devon County Council which will provide residents active travel access between the Freeport’s Langage and Sherford sites > A port optimisation project by Cattewater Harbour Commissioners designed to attract cleaner, greener ships to the port > Enhanced freight capability at Millbay Docks with the strengthening of the West Wharf, part of a £23m investment by Associated British Ports. The Freeport is supporting significant economic growth for Plymouth, South Devon and the wider region, with these seed capital funded #infrastructure works playing a crucial role in unlocking its full potential. These works will enable business development, attract new #investment, and ultimately generate jobs, and, with the extension of tax benefits now until September 2031, eligible new and high #growth businesses, investors and developers now have an achievable time frame to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities the Freeport provides. Full release: https://lnkd.in/eKjnTc3m

The penultimate day of our Get into Construction programme was kindly hosted by Emma Hopkins from Taylor Wimpey plc and Tatiana Fernandez Vistry Group. The students were treated to a real life site induction before looking at some of the work going on at Sherford. This was followed by a tour of the #unwrappedhouse which is always such an interesting and innovative way to look at how a house is built and the job roles that are involved at every stage. Thank you guys! Emma Hewitt Gareth Geen Jo Lacy Plymouth City Council

Last week, residents from Sherford gathered at Sherford Vale Primary School for an evening of heritage, socialising and fun, and to help plan for the future. Our Heritage event is part of a wider programme of activity designed to engage residents with the abundant history of the Sherford area and to explore how the past can be used to shape the town’s planning going forward. The evening included fascinating insight from speakers at the Box, Sherford's archaeologist, and South Hams District Council's Urban Designer. Helping to engage local people with their heritage, as well as working together to shape the future of Sherford, the evening also saw planners from the Urban Fringe Team, work with residents on the naming of the new green spaces and parks in Sherford - drawing on inspiration from historical field names and archaeological finds. Thank you to everyone who attended!

It was a pleasure yesterday evening to talk to the Plymouth Archaeology Society about the exciting archaeological discoveries that have been made during the large scale archaeological investigations that have been undertaken at Sherford new town over the last 10 years or so. Always good to share these exciting finds with the local community. And on top of that, I get stay in this amazing hotel/B&B in the grade I listed 14th century Dartington Hall for a few days while I am down in the SW on business. Pretty appropriate setting (if I even dare use the word) for a heritage consultant.

Sherford November Update: The community has seen a lot of activity over the past month, including the opening of new sports facilities, and the town's convenience store. Other exciting updates include... ✅ Work continues on area 2D and phases 3A&B, including starting work on a culvert crossing. In parcel 28, work on a 300m long area of green open space is underway, opening up a new area for public use that will include benches and trees. ✅ The finishing touches to the landscaping, just in front of the Country Park accessible entrance, will soon be taking place. ✅ Archaeology work is almost complete in phases 3A&B and some interesting discoveries have been made at the eastern end of the site that will be shared soon. ✅ Over in the local centre, you will have noticed the old hoardings along Hercules Road and around the school square have been replaced. These will be painted and new graphics added soon, which will make this area look much more inviting and interesting.

A celebration of the local landscape, the Country Park expansion makes the most of the distinctive natural features, including Sherford Stream. In the stream valley, there are ponds and watercourses, full of aquatic plants including water lilies, which provide a rich habitat for wildlife such as fish and birds. You can take in the picturesque views from bench seating and paths that weave throughout the park. Ecology and biodiversity remain at the heart of Sherford’s green space, with the creation of new areas for flora and fauna to flourish. Maintaining and providing new opportunities to safeguard and encourage Sherford’s varied creatures – which include a variety of insects, bats, reptiles, badgers, owls, otters and birds – new habitats enable local wildlife to thrive.

We now have a limited number of places left at our Unlocking Growth event being held on Wednesday 20th November at Holne Park House, Ashburton. Are you a business directly operating, or part of a wider supply chain, in the marine, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, engineering or net zero tech sectors? Do you want to understand more about the recent Autumn Statement and how this may impact your business? Have you considered how the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport may be an option to consider as part of your future growth plans? Join us to find out more about the opportunities, incentives, and support that the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport can offer to your new and high growth business needs including; tax and customs benefits, skills and training development, and access to a wider innovation ecosystem. At this event, you’ll: > Hear from the team and key experts about the Freeport’s plans and impact including updates from the Autumn Statement and what they may mean in real terms for your business > Learn how the Freeport can help you reduce costs, boost competitiveness, and access new markets > Gain insights into tax benefits and savings, customs opportunities, and prime locations for investment and trade – with the tax benefits and reliefs now available to eligible businesses up to and including 30 September 2031, eligible businesses locating in the Freeport can be in receipt of reliefs into the mid-2030s > Network with other businesses and explore collaboration possibilities. Join us to find out more. Limited spaces. Please register to attend at https://lnkd.in/eBtRNSRx

Sherford has become the destination for a series of events and workshops, catering for all the family and open to anyone to attend. The upcoming events include a blend of free seasonal arts and crafts activities for children and families, alongside a series of bookable workshops for adults to learn new skills from local artists and makers. Designed to celebrate local talent, one of the forthcoming workshops will be hosted by a business that could not be any more ‘local’. Candles of Sherford is based in the town and run by residents Yani and David. They began their business during lockdown and have created a range of handcrafted scented candles, diffusers and wax melts inspired by the local area. Sharing their skills and expertise, Yani and David will be running a candle making class, guiding guests through the process of making a candle to take home with them. Taking place at the end of November, there will be a glass of festive fizz, the opportunity to craft a Christmas gift, and buy handmade presents. The full event programme can be found below, and bookings can be made by visiting the Sherford website: https://lnkd.in/euQXWMyh