LIBERAL DEMOCRAT members of South Hams Council have slammed the decision to give the go-ahead to a new town of 5,500 homes – planned to be built on land between Plymouth and Ivybri-dge.

At last Wednesday's development management committee, at Follaton House, plans for Sherford new town, were approved by 15 votes to seven.

Liberal Democrat Councillors Julian Braz-il and Keith Baldry, who opposed the plans, have labelled the decision a 'disgrace'.

The plan for Sherford was first launched 15 years ago and development was due to begin in 2009. However, this was stalled by the economic recession.

Developer Red Tree has now submitted its latest plans to provide 550 affordable homes during the first half of the development.

The Sherford project will include two wind turbines and business and commercial space.

Red Tree's proposals suggest there will be 67,000 m/sq of mixed use employment land.

It will also have a town hall, public library, green spaces, be bus and bike friendly, have three new primary schools and one new secondary school, health care facilities, park and ride interchange and community park.

Cllr Brazil, who represents Saltstone ward, has criticised the decision and has spoken out about poor levels of affordable housing off-ered by developers.

Cllr Brazil said: 'Sherford was meant to meet our local housing needs, but now the proportion of affordable housing is pathetic.

'We are destroying our countryside with little benefit.

'The council seems to have forgotten its top priority of housing for young families.

Cllr Brazil also accus-ed fellow South Hams councillors of not thinking for themselves.

'During the last app-lication I warned councillors that the developers would be back pleading poverty and offering a worse deal for local people.

'This has now happened and my fear is it will happen again.

'Individual councillors will have to explain to their parish councils and local communities why they supported such a deal.

'Claiming that they just followed council officer advice is not good enough. They should be able to think for themselves'.

South Hams councillor for Yealmpton ward Keith Baldry was 'disgusted' by the council's decision.

He said: 'The committee has taken the wrong decision.

'There will be no benefit to the people I represent or the inhabitants of South Hams.

'The proposed number of affordable houses is pitiful. Four out of five dwellings will not be affordable.

'The road system, especially the A379 will be over-whelmed.

'The threat of a new town built on open countryside has been hanging over the area for too long.

'As long ago as 1997 I said: "We should not allow the splurge of a new town to destroy beautiful countryside'.

Head of planning, economy and community at South Hams Council Marion Playle echoed Cllr Rowe's comments that there had been a number of consultations and time to comment.

Mrs Playle also said affordable housing levels had improved in Red Tree's proposals from 15 per cent in 2009 to 20 per cent in the latest proposals.

However, levels of affordable housing had been as high as 45 percent in the initial plans.

A South Hams Coun-cil spokesman said: 'The committee, has given outline planning permission to approve the go-ahead of plans subject to agreement by partners Plymouth City Council.

'The planning application straddles land in both council areas.