Sherford has received national recognition for the care of its public green spaces after winning an award at the National Landscape Awards.

The award recognises the work of Plymouth-based YGS Landscapes, which has maintained Sherford’s parks, open spaces and wider landscape since construction of the new town began.

The National Landscape Awards are run by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), with every entry visited and assessed by a judging panel before winners are selected.

This year’s awards also mark BALI’s 50th anniversary.

Judges praised the close working relationship between YGS Landscapes and the Sherford Consortium, a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and Vistry, which includes Countryside Homes, Linden Homes and Bovis Homes.

The recognition covers both the standard of landscaping and maintenance and the way Sherford’s green spaces are managed as the town continues to grow.

YGS Landscapes’ work now covers Sherford Country Park, seven urban parks, sports pitches and playing fields, ponds and lakes, hundreds of street trees, verges and hedges, as well as wildlife corridors and a bat bridge.

The team also maintains wildflower planting around the multi-use games area, sports pitches, skate park and children’s play area.

In the Country Park, it looks after woodland copses, wildflower areas, paths, trees and ponds.

Two community forests have been planted with more than 26,000 native woodland whips, alongside a skylark habitat field, orchards, a nuttery, wildflower meadow and tussock grassland.

The Country Park is still expected to grow towards its eventual 500-acre size, meaning the landscaping operation will expand as further parts of the development are completed.

One of the most prominent features under YGS Landscapes’ care is the 380-metre living wall at the main entrance to Sherford.

The wall is 10 metres high and was previously recognised with a BALI award of its own.

Another distinctive feature is the tulip tree on Libra Avenue, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in the South West.

The three-tonne tree had been grown for more than 35 years before being moved by crane in July 2020 to mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage.

YGS Landscapes also composts green waste from the site rather than sending it to landfill, while plants and hedgerows cleared during development are relocated into new public spaces.

The company trains apprentices on site and works with the Friends of Sherford Country Park volunteer group.

Steve Fowler, Project Director for the Sherford Consortium, said: “Central to our vision for the town has always been making sure homes are never far from accessible outdoor space.

“This award reflects the exceptional standards maintained since the very start of the development, enhancing biodiversity and promoting wellbeing right across our parks and green spaces. “Our work with YGS Landscapes is a genuine partnership, and this national recognition is thoroughly deserved.”

Steve Warren-Brown, founder of YGS Landscapes, said the award belonged to the whole team.

He said: “Sherford has been part of our story since its beginning, and watching it grow into the landscape it is today has been one of the proudest jobs we've taken on.”

Tom James, Director at YGS Landscapes, said the award reflected the collaborative approach behind the project and the work of those maintaining its publicly accessible landscape.