Plymouth expansion plans up for discussion

Plans for the expansion of Plymouth into a large part of the South Hams will be shared with the public at a series of events.

Plymouth City Council wants to increase its population by taking over the running of 13 parishes with about 30,000 residents.

The move is part of a reorganisation of local government taking place across the country with district and county councils set to be abolished and unitary authorities – such as Plymouth and Torbay – delivering all council services.

Plymouth currently has a population of about 265,000, but the government has indicated all unitary authorities in the future should have a minimum population of about 300,000.