Sept 2025 Newsletter
Our 68th Newsletter
“Protecting our Village”
23rd Sept 2025 TFVCS 68th newsletter
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MacMillan coffee morning
Saturday 27th Sept at The Old Chapel, Fore St. 1030 to 1pm Entry £3 to include coffee.
Church open day
Saturday 13th Sept had the unusual sounding of bells – not for a wedding or a funeral or a service but for St Mary’s open day. The choir sang, various musicians performed and the belfry was open to visitors. The church is always open and welcoming of course at the scheduled times but necessarily has to be shut security reasons.
Mary Dean’s Primary – new Head of School
Lesa Garside joined as Head of School this term.
Village Pubs
It has always been a problem supporting 3 pubs in the village – a legacy of when the village was a busy farming and horticultural centre. Amanda is leaving the Queens Arms which has now ‘gone dark’ and Rick at the Seven Stars posted on FB that he will not be renewing his lease as from January. Amanda says that a recent rise in the rent for the pub has given her the incentive to move on – in this case, off to join family in Texas. We wish both of them well.
More litter
Having reported mattress, children’s toys and car faring decking out Roborough lane, we now see the church car park with wet wipes and fizzy pop bottles. Who are these people and is their sense of responsibility what this community deserves?
Defeated – proposed closure (in the village) of Tamerton Foliot Rd
People will recall this absurd scheme reported in our last newsletter. The proposal by South West Water was to close Tamerton Foliot Road between Church Row Lane and Fore St from 1st September to 14th September. Plymouth Highways department approved a diversion scheme by way of Roborough Lane of around 5 ½ miles to get from one side of the village to the other AND it appeared to be two way traffic not circulatory.
We, like many others, phoned Plymouth Highways Dept and were told by a rather stressed officer that he had had a lot of calls and it was SWW fault for submitting the wrong application. We asked why in that case was it approved. No answer.
We must also add that Cllr Carol Ney added her voice to these protests. Thank you.
Horses field West of Fore St behind the Old Chapel
The field was withdrawn from the auction of 30th June, the owners feeling that they could not guarantee the covenants on the land once it had been sold. The owners are looking into other means of securing the future of the field.
More Homes Planned: What It Could Mean for Tamerton Foliot
Last summer, we warned that new government housing targets would put extra pressure on our village. A year later, this is happening. Developers are now putting forward sites around Tamerton Foliot, with two schemes already under early discussion.
As your Conservation Society, our aim has always been to protect the distinct identity of Tamerton Foliot and keep it a recognisable community, not just a suburb of Plymouth. Over the years we have fought off developments at Cann Lodge field, Coombe Valley, Riverside Walk fields, and the land west of Cunningham Road. Despite our efforts, Copleston Heights was built. Now, the pressure is intensifying.
Why this is happening
- New housing formula
Previously, housing needs were assessed using local factors such as population growth, jobs, and migration. The new government now uses a standard formula, based on housing stock (0.8%) adjusted for affordability.- For Plymouth, where homes are relatively affordable, the uplift is low, compared for example to South Hams.
- The result: Plymouth’s annual target rises by around 40%, from 440 homes a year to more than 600.
- Local government reorganisation
Plans are also being drawn up for larger local authorities of around 500,000 people. This could mean changes to Plymouth’s boundary – potentially extending into South Hams (as far as Ivybridge and Newton Ferrers) and north to Cornwood and Harford. - Shortage of land
Plymouth currently has only a 2.5-year supply of approved housing land, but government rules require 5 years. This shortfall has prompted landowners to put forward new sites – including here in Tamerton Foliot.
Current proposals for Tamerton Foliot
We cannot publish the plans themselves (as they are classed in confidence at this stage), but here is what we know:
1. Extension to Riverside Walk
- Fields alongside the creek, towards Holly Park.
- Around 20 homes proposed.
- Access: 3 homes via Lakeview Drive, the rest via Riverside Walk.
- Land is currently classed as city greenspace and subject to covenants against development.
- Similar applications have been rejected before.
- Councillors for Budshead and Southway wards are engaged, as is your Conservation Society.
2. Horsham Lane
- Fields opposite the playground.
- Around 75 homes proposed.
- Main vehicle access halfway up Horsham Lane.
- Pedestrian/cycle access between Tooleys and Denmark.
- Acknowledges issues of narrow roads and parking on Horsham Lane, but only addresses these as far as Mary Deans Avenue – not the rest of Horsham Lane and Fore Street.
- Again, your Conservation Society and ward councillors are involved.
Local Plan
Although a new Local Plan for Plymouth is in preparation, the policies of the Joint Local Plan still apply – including protections for urban fringe land. Should the need arise, these will form part of our case against unsuitable developments.
What happens next
These are still early-stage pre-applications, but they show how quickly land around our village is coming under pressure. We will continue to resist inappropriate schemes and work with councillors to preserve the character of Tamerton Foliot.
We emphasise that the Council are required to meet government targets and that the Planning Department must provide advice based on planning principles. We are asking for this to be a transparent and democratic process.
In the meantime, we encourage residents to:
- Stay informed through our newsletter updates. NB posts on FB are good while they last but often disappear within hours.
- Share your concerns with Budshead and Southway councillors.
- Contact us if you would like to be more involved in responding to these proposals.
- Come to our AGM on 24th Oct.
Next Committee Meeting
Our next committee meeting is 13th October. If you have any items for consideration as part of our agenda, please sent them to:
mailto:villageconsoc.tamertonfoliot@gmail.com.
AGM
Our AGM is on Friday 24th October at 7pm in the Church Hall. The official business will take about 30 minutes. We propose to devote the second part of up to 1 hour to discuss planning issues and hopefully, with an informed panel present.
Yours sincerely
Dennis Silverwood