Fears major new development will escalate 'Plympton pong'

There has been a flood of objections to plans to build 200 homes on the edge of Plymouth. People are concerned the proposal for land at Boringdon Park, near Plympton, will put huge strain on traffic, sewage and other services in the area - especially as plans have already been approved to build 550 homes at neighbouring Coypool.

In July this year, South West Strategic Developments (SWSD) submitted a hybrid planning application to create a sports hub, with 14 pitches, next to 200 dwellings on 30 hectares of farm land. Access to the housing, and on to the sports pitches, would be via one road through the yet to be built Coypool Park development. There would be an emergency exit onto Plymbridge Road.

But already the proposed scheme has received 41 objections from members of the public. There have been none in favour and only one is marked “neutral”.

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The complaints focus on the strain the development could put on public services including GPs and that it could exacerbate the notorious “Plympton pong”. Rob Torr was among those highlighting the pressure the development could put on the sewage system and roads, and said: “The Plympton Pong is still with us and despite ‘bolt on’ odour control measures appears to be getting worse. I suspect this development along with the additional foul flows from Sherford will exacerbate the situation.”

He added: “The road infrastructure around Marsh Mills roundabout is already inadequate with considerable delays at the roundabout and along Plymouth Road.”

Paul Ward wrote: “With thousands of homes being built at Sherford, possibly 550 built at Coypool plus 200 or so in this proposal and possibly even more at Stoggy lane, Plympton will be surrounded by building sites and jammed with cars.”

Alison Trezise asked: “It is almost impossible to see a doctor face to face or an NHS dentist. What will this new development bring to improve the already dire situation?”

Andrew Fallon said: “I feel this will drive up traffic volume on local residential streets, negatively impact existing residents' access to schools, medical and dental services, and reduce quality of life.” He added: “The residential streets will be used as rat runs and there are a number of local schools with the increased risk of accidents/incidents due to increase in traffic.”

In his letter of objection, Douglas King said: “The impact on sewage is likely a problem, every summer we have a stink that drifts across from the water works on the other side of Plymouth Road that never gets better and is likely to get worse given the impact of Sherford and its monumental development. Further housing will just exacerbate the issue.”

Martin Williams wrote: “The infrastructure in Plympton will not support this development, the roads are already gridlocked at peak times and still very busy throughout the day, schools are at capacity, you can't get a doctors appointment for months and the pharmacies are maxed out. This is a beautiful green field site that'll be destroyed by this development.”

Vicky Jury said: “Flooding sewage is not being controlled now at this time and the smell from the sewage works is getting worse.” She added: “As far as we’re concerned it is an ill thought plan which nobody wants.”

In addition to the housing, the plan includes electric car charging, car club spaces, e-bike hire and cycle parking and a hilltop park. A sports hub building will have changing rooms, a cafe and function rooms and there will be 14 football pitches, four tennis courts, and 186 parking spaces.

In a design and access statement in support of the planning application, Clifton Emery Design, on behalf of SWSD said: “The overall the development will provide much needed market and affordable homes with a sense of place that demonstrate best practice in terms of biodiversity with an abundance of open space and excellent connections into town and out into the wider countryside.”

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