Sherford's £1bn vision: New parks and play areas announced for town expansion

Plans for a new dedicated play area in Sherford have been unveiled, marking the next step in the development of the £1bn new town.

The Sherford Consortium has confirmed that a ‘Local Equipped Area for Play’ (LEAP) will be constructed near Quarry Wood, situated within the town’s 500-acre Country Park.

The facility, which will cover at least 400m², is designed for children up to the age of eight. Developers say the site will feature a range of “challenging yet safe” equipment, located off Aquila Drive between homes in the project's current phases in phases 1B and 2D. 

While families will have to wait for the first swings to move, with work expected to begin within the next one to two years, the announcement is part of a much larger blueprint for the South Hams site.

When complete, Sherford is expected to house 12,000 people across 5,500 energy-efficient homes. 

The town is being built by a consortium of housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group (incorporating Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and Countryside Homes).

The project, which began in 2015, is designed as a ‘walkable’ community, placing schools, shops, and businesses within easy reach of residents to reduce car dependency.

The new LEAP follows the 2021 opening of a major playground and skatepark, as well as multi-game areas and sports pitches.

According to the Consortium, much more is planned as the town continues to grow.

Three further play areas are planned for the next stage of development, two to the north-east and one to the south-east of the Urban Quarter.

By the time the town is fully completed, Sherford will host a total of nine dedicated playgrounds, many nestled within the expansive Country Park.

A spokesperson for the Sherford Consortium said the new spaces would be “progressed as Sherford continues to expand,” ensuring that outdoor facilities keep pace with the growing number of families.

The news comes as Sherford marks several significant development milestones.

Last year, plans were submitted for the town’s first ‘local centre,’ which is set to include a 4,500 sq ft convenience store, a nursery, and Georgian-style retail units.

The town also continues to focus on its environmental commitments. 

A multi-million-pound investment in ecology has already seen the creation of wildlife habitats, including a bespoke bat bridge and the planting of thousands of trees, intended to blend the urban development with the surrounding Devon countryside.

The Sherford Vale primary school, which opened its doors in 2018, currently sits at the heart of the community, with three further schools planned as the town reaches its full capacity over the next decade.