SHERFORD
Living at Sherford

Management Companies

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August 2026 update

As Sherford continues to grow, we keep the way the town is managed under regular review, to make sure residents receive the best possible service.

Following this review, Sherford Estate Management Company has appointed Trinity Estates as the new Managing Agent for the communal estate and public open spaces at Sherford, replacing FirstPort in this role.

Trinity Estates will take over responsibility for the upkeep, maintenance and insurance of these shared areas on the 22nd August 2026. Trinity Estates will set, collect and allocate the estate service charge going forward.

Trinity Estates is a community-minded organisation with a hands-on, on-the-ground approach. Your initial onsite contact will be Michelle Ashley, Senior Estates and Property Manager, who brings 13 years’ experience in property management. Michelle will be supported by Trinity Estates’ Head Office and New Schemes teams to ensure a smooth handover.

As Sherford continues to grow, Trinity Estates will appoint a dedicated Community Development Manager as the main day-to-day point of contact for the town, working closely with residents, the Sherford Consortium, and other local partners.

What this means for you:

  • The estate management of communal areas and public open spaces – that have been handed over by the Sherford Consortium – will now be carried out by Trinity Estates for all residents. Trinity Estates will also take on responsibility for estate management on future phases of development at Sherford
  • Trinity Estates will invoice and collect residents’ contributions to the Sherford Community Land Trust, which you can find out about at www.sherfordtrust.org.uk
  • Parcel-specific management – covering the shared spaces within your immediate residential parcel – depends on where your home is. For some residents, Trinity Estates will now manage both the estate and your parcel. However, if you are currently with FirstPort or Gateway, they will continue as your parcel managing agent.

You will hear directly from Trinity Estates in the coming weeks. They will send welcome letters to introduce themselves, their team and their service, provide contact information, and explain in more detail how they will act in the best interests of Sherford.

We are confident that this change is the right move for Sherford, and that Trinity Estates will do an excellent job for the growing town and its community. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email info@sherford.uk

Letter to residents

 

About Sherford’s Managing Agents

As a relatively new town under development, often more than one organisation looks after parts of Sherford, or the responsibility shifts over time. When a housebuilder is working on a section of land, they are responsible for that area. When finished, it is transferred to a managing agent – and they become your point of contact.

Different managing agents look after different areas of Sherford. As of 22nd August 2026, Trinity Estates will be responsible for the completed communal estate areas handed over to them.

Residential areas are split into parcels, each with a dedicated managing agent of either FirstPort, Gateway or Trinity. These parcel-specific managing agents are responsible for the upkeep of the shared spaces within that residential parcel.

All residents get information about their managing agents when buying their home. Once an area has been handed over, they will contact you directly to provide all the information you need, including how to register as a customer, communicate with them, and receive your annual statement.

You will be asked to pay certain charges and the payments depend on the type of property you have.

The three sets of fees are:

  • an estate charge
  • a parcel specific payment
  • a contribution to the Sherford Community Trust.

Used for different purposes, they all benefit Sherford and help to make it an outstanding place to live.

What is Sherford Estate Management Company?

A legal entity of its own, Sherford Estate Management Company is responsible for the communal estate areas. The Directors – including representatives from the Sherford Consortium – has recently appointed Trinity Estates as the Managing Agent for the estate and public open spaces.

This agreement means Trinity Estates acts on behalf of Sherford Estate Management Company to carry out its obligations to oversee, maintain, and insure these areas. They also set, collect and allocate the service charge. This will come into effect on 22nd August 2026.

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Management Company Fees and Council Tax

It is important to note that management company fees are separate from Council Tax, and residents are required to pay both (unless exempt from Council Tax). These are separate charges, payable to different organisations, to cover different services.

Management company fees (estate and parcel) pay for the maintenance of shared areas within Sherford. Even when the Local Authorities adopt parts of Sherford’s infrastructure in the future, this will remain the case.

Council Tax is the local tax which helps Local Authorities (Plymouth City Council and South Hams District Council) pay for the services they provide. It funds a broad range of public services across the wider community, including refuse collection, social services, schools, and emergency services.

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GET IN TOUCH:

 

Estate:

Details will follow for how to contact Trinity Estates, when they take responsibility for the estate areas on 22nd August. In the meantime this month, any issues should be directed to info@sherford.uk

Parcels:

FirstPort

  • 0333 321 4021
  • estateshelp@firstport.co.uk
  • firstport.co.uk

Gateway

  • 01702 443 555
  • estatemanagement@gatewayplc.co.uk
  • gatewayplc.co.uk

Trinity Estates

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