More greenhouse gases and fewer affordable homes at Sherford development says South Hams FoE

Any changes in energy efficiency and affordable housing levels at a development at Sherford, the planned new community between Plymouth and Brixton, has been condemned by South Hams Friends of the Earth.

South Hams Friends of the Earth (SHFoE) cites a letter from developers Redtree, which says: “It is inevitable that the affordable housing delivery at Sherford, like many other aspects of the planning agreement, will be reduced from the level presented to the committee in April 2008.”

(SHFoE) says the level of affordable housing has not yet been agreed between the developers and the council, but both are agreed that it will be cut from the 36 per cent approved in 2008 (itself a reduction on the 50 per cent contained within the council’s own policy: the Area Action Plan for Sherford)

And the energy efficiency programme has been moved back in time.

Spokesman for SHFoE Steve Melia told the PRSD: “We believe the council should stand firm. A delay would be better than environmentally damaging concessions.

“Any public subsidy for building during the recession should be concentrated on brownfield sites within the cities. Big greenfield developments like Sherford should be shelved until the market improves.”

The deadline for comments on the revised application to South Hams District Council is June 25.
posted by Cptn