People divided as Plymouth set to get 200 new homes on green land

'Drop the nimby attitude'

PlymouthLive readers have been voicing concerns at the news that 14 new sports pitches are planned for Plympton as part of a development that includes 200 homes.

The proposed site at Boringdon Park sits next to an area already approved for 550 dwellings at Coypool Park, which will feature care homes, a community hub, and roughly 40 acres of open space and woodland.

South West Strategic Developments, the applicant, believes the new project will "complement" the existing development. Planning documents reveal that the scheme includes a protective woodland buffer for the ancient Woodford Wood, a Country Wildlife Site (CWF).

The vision encompasses 30 hectares of agricultural land equivalent to around 50 football pitches with 60 of the homes earmarked as affordable housing. Access is planned via the newly established Coypool Park estate.

The ambitious plans boast eco-friendly features such as electric car charging points, car club spaces, e-bike hire, and ample cycle parking, alongside a hilltop park.

The sports hub is designed to include changing facilities, a cafe, function rooms, and will offer 14 football pitches, four tennis courts, and 186 parking spaces.

Commenter Doct says: “More good news for those in need of new, modern, environmentally friendly housing. It will be good to see exactly how the final mix of houses works out and how the affordable housing is integrated into the new estate.

"The lack of basic amenities will be a concern for many wanting to move into a development such as this, but the capacity created is more than welcome.”

Allansthename agrees: “We all need to accept the dire need for social housing and drop the nimby attitudes. Let’s get the poor souls housed and return some dignity to their lives. Labour Council tackling this crisis with everything they have, let’s get behind our council and show a caring 'can do' attitude to this issue.”

Plymtondave retorts: “Obviously you don't live in Plympton and know the true situation. Are you prepared to wait a fortnight to see a doctor? Added to the back of the queue after the people of Sherford?

"And all the other new developments? Are you prepared to take and fetch your schoolchildren to Devonport, Ivybridge or Tavistock each and every day as all the local schools are full? Then if you do you will be most welcome to join us in Plympton! By the way, where l live the bus is every hour and late as it struggles through all the traffic!”

Vfor adds: “No mention of extra schools, doctors or other required infrastructure. The roads around Plympton are already packed, the schools are full and we all know how well the doctors' surgeries are doing. I can think of plenty of brownfield sites to use before we start building on fresh green fields, why are they not looking at these?”

Sloopdog1 thinks: “Totally the wrong place for the environment and the already congested area. There won't be any affordable houses - not on Plymouth wages anyway.

"Let’s sell the houses at Sherford first before we start ruining the rest of Plymouth. By the way PCC it was you who closed the majority of pitches in the city in the first place. Just my thoughts but sometimes I think these houses are not being built for local people.”

Block14 agrees: “Access to this site is going to be a total nightmare. It's a bolt-on to the proposed development on the old china clay works which itself is limited to the old road in.

"This means all the residents of both developments are going to have to battle past the Maccies queues, go down Coypool Road, negotiate past the Jolleyes, B&M, Woolacotts and gym traffic before they get home. Marsh Mills and Plymouth Road are already horrendously busy at certain times of the day and the Plympton Pong has been far worse in recent years due to all the extra Sherford housing.”

Greencountryside points out: “There is no work for the people in the area in such numbers. The infrastructure can’t cope with any more. We do need to look at water, sewage and food, schools and hospitals.”

Albertgate replies: “That will be rectified within the final decision making, these road planners had the same initial problem in the Higher Southway, Derriford and Roborough area, but that is now being rectified, Even the initial one way loop in effect eliminating the roundabout to get to Tesco and Woolwell is a vast improvement and traffic flow has vastly improved.”

Deeznuts has the final word: “Get it done!”

How do you feel about the new project? Will it bring much needed housing to Plymouth or will it just add to an already creaking infrastructure? Have your say in our comments section.

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