The original Sherford Outline Planning Application was approved in November 2013, with building work starting on site in 2015.
In 2017, updates to the masterplan and design principles were submitted and approved by South Hams District Council.
As one of the most ambitious residential developments in the UK, construction at Sherford is progressing well. Work is continuing at pace to deliver the next phases of Sherford’s development, with major milestones achieved and much more to come.
As a self-sustaining ‘micro-economy’ there will be commercial space and business opportunities at Sherford, in the new business park or within the mixed-use spaces in Sherford’s town centre and local centres. Expressions of interest are invited from both local and national businesses looking to secure their space within this unique and fast growing new community.
Commercial development at Sherford is gathering momentum across three key areas. A planning application has been submitted for the Western Neighbourhood Local Centre, featuring retail, nursery, and residential spaces, with a potential 2027 opening. Plans for the Town Centre are progressing with Local Authorities, including shopping, hospitality and community facilities, ahead of a 2026 public consultation. Work has started on Sherford Business Park – part of which falls within the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport – and it has already been confirmed that a FTSE 100 company will be based there.
It has always been the vision that Sherford Business Park should offer high-quality business, distribution, manufacturing and industrial space for companies looking to grow and expand.
With part of the business park forming part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport zone, this vision is being brought to life and promises to become a thriving warehousing, storage and engineering space.
Work has started on Sherford Business Park to put the necessary infrastructure in place for commercial development. Part of Sherford Business Park is to become home to Babcock International Group, as it creates an Integrated Logistics Hub and Advanced Manufacturing Base. The 18.8-acre site, which forms part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport will become the first major employer with premises at Sherford, marking an important milestone for the town.
Alongside City College Plymouth and South Devon College, the Sherford Consortium offers onsite training, work experience and long-term employment opportunities through the Sherford Skills Training Scheme, within the Sherford Skills Training centre.
Also, as Sherford advances, there are many job and tender opportunities. Throughout the build, there will be opportunities for local contractors to join the team.
The vision for Sherford is to create a sustainable community where people can live, work, learn and socialise. Sherford will enjoy abundant green space, preserve and improve the landscape and wildlife habitats, with energy efficient homes built around interconnected walkable neighbourhoods.
The creation of the new town of Sherford has afforded a rare opportunity to investigate the archaeological landscape. Archaeological work has taken place since work started at Sherford in 2015 and the Consortium has remained committed to funding an ongoing programme of archaeological investigation ever since.
