FIRST HOMES SUCCESS LEADS TO NEW HOUSING PROPOSALS AT LOCKING PARKLANDS

A planning application has been submitted to North Somerset Council for the second phase of housing at the £400 million mixed-use sustainable community of Locking Parklands in Weston-super-Mare. 

St. Modwen, the developer of the 20 year scheme has lodged the proposals alongside landowner, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as part of wider plans redeveloping the former RAF Locking site. Approximately 1,250 homes, around 650,000 sq ft of employment space together with retail and community facilities will be delivered at the 200 acre site on completion, with 2,000 jobs expected to be generated within the employment space.

The application outlines plans for the development of another 150 homes at the parkland development. If approved, St. Modwen Homes will develop a mix of properties ranging from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom detached homes. The majority will be sold privately with 30 per cent allocated as affordable housing.

The application follows the success of the first phase of 100 properties at Locking Parklands. Last November, St. Modwen Homes released the first 34 properties to the open market, the majority under the HCA’s HomeBuy Direct scheme. Of those, 31 properties are already reserved while a further 30 have been sold to Sovereign Housing Association as affordable housing and are now nearing completion. Work is also underway on the final 36 private properties which are expected to be completed by November.

Rupert Joseland, South West Regional Director for St. Modwen, commented: “Locking Parklands is a major deliverer of new housing opportunities and jobs for Weston and we are pleased that many of our first residents will be from the local area.

“We have constructed the first homes to a higher standard than required by building regulations, making each home up to 25 per cent more energy efficient than the standard newly built home, which is proving very popular. The proposals are for the next phase to be built to the same high standards and to have a similarly modern, clean architectural style with large windows and generous living accommodation all adding to the offering.”

The HCA has invested around £6m in the first phase of development, taking the total level of investment in Locking Parklands to more than £12.2 million since 2002. 

Jay Lambe, HCA area manager, added: “This planning application forms an important part of our ambitions to create local homes, jobs and opportunities at Locking Parklands.

“These are exciting times for the project and the wider area which stands to benefit from the scheme. It’s really pleasing to see it all coming together after work of partners over recent months.”   

Visit www.lockingparklands.co.uk for further information.