Go-ahead for 2,000 homes scheme at Woolwell

Nearly 1,700 people had objected

A ‘new town’ of 2,000 homes on the outskirts of Plymouth has been given the go-ahead despite opposition from residents and local councillors.

South Hams Council planning committee was told if it turned the plans down, it would have little chance of winning any appeal lodged by the developers.

It means the land at Woolwell will be given over to homes, a primary school, shops and community facilities in the biggest development in the area since Sherford began construction in 2015.

But while development takes place, hundreds of lorries will use local roads every day for a project which could take years.

Planners raised concerns about traffic and also over lack of affordable homes in the overall scheme.

Cllr Georgina Allen (Green, Totnes) declared: “We are here to represent our residents, not dance to a developer’s tune.”

Councillors had put off making a decision at a previous meeting in November, saying they wanted more information about access to the development and the level of affordable housing to be provided.

Nearly 1,700 objections were received when the plans were advertised, with around 20 letters in support.

Councillors and residents were concerned about access to the site off Pick Pie Drive, where heavy construction traffic will have to pass close to a school and nursery.

Planning officer Ian Lloyd told the meeting: “You can’t make an omelette without cracking eggs, and construction is part of the process.

“We’d all like to avoid construction traffic through Pick Pie Drive, but we can’t restrict that without the developer’s agreement, and they are not in agreement.”

Only one in eight of the homes will be ‘affordable’, and an independent assessment has already raised questions over whether even that proportion will be viable for the developer to provide. Developer Rockspring Barwood Plymouth will have to hand the council millions of pounds for building projects elsewhere. 

But Cllr Chris Oram (Lib Dem, Bickleigh and Cornwood) argued: “Viability is their problem, not mine and not my residents’. The fact that they can claim poverty in order to get this through just doesn’t stand up as an argument.

“Seventeen hundred people have said no to this. The parish council has said no to this. I can’t support it.

“There might be kick-back, but I say let’s have it.”

And Cllr Simon Rake (Lib Dem, Blackawton and Stoke Fleming) added: “It sticks in my craw that affordable housing is the last mouth to be fed after developer profit and landowner gain.”

However, Cllr Guy Pannell (Lib Dem, South Brent) warned that the developer is likely to win at appeal, with the land having already been earmarked for homes in the long-term local plan.

“I don’t believe we have the strength of reasons that would allow us to make a strong case at appeal,” he said. “I don’t think we have the grounds to reject it.”

Councillors passed the plans after a debate lasting more than four hours.