PLAN FOR A THOUSAND NEW HOMES ON EDGE OF TOWN

Scheme would also see schools and health centre being built

Contained within the 44 planning application documents are a number of key ambitions about the huge plan.

A MASTERPLAN for more than 1,000 new homes, a health centre and a new primary school plus land for a secondary school has been unveiled for farm land in Nuneaton. Warwickshire County Council is seeking planning permission for its plans for land at Top Farm off Higham Lane. The application involves a mixture of homes, what has been described as a ‘mixed use district centre’ to include space for retail, a community/and or a health centre, a primary school plus land put aside for a secondary school and sixth form, three new vehicular accesses off Higham Lane and play area. a new children’s Currently the land, on the north edge of Nuneaton, is being used as an operational farm. But the landscape would be changed forever if the plans are given the green light by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Contained within the 44 planning application documents are a number of key ambitions about the huge plan, including: To deliver new homes, including affordable homes, plus retail and social and community facilities, including schools, as part of a well-designed sustainable urban extension which also offers good access to the town centre and public transport services. To establish direct vehicular access into the site from Higham Lane, and to secure safety improvements to this transport corridor including a reduction in the speed limit and the introduction safe pedestrian and cyclist crossings. To improve connectivity between the existing communities of Weddington and St Nicolas Park by delivering new pedestrian, cycle and vehicular links across the site. To retain and enhance existing hedgerow boundaries where possible, and mature trees, to help establish the ‘backbone’ to an extensive green infrastructure framework through-out the site. The retention and enhancement of these features will also provide an important ecological resource and habitat. To maintain and enhance existing vegetation that will help filter views into and across the site, thereby reducing the visual impact of proposed development from certain vantage points. To provide a significant area of open space, which offers formal and informal recreation opportunities for both future residents and those in the wider community. To provide a sustainable drainage system which will help control the rate of surface water run-over from the site during heavy rainfall events and to incorporate this drainage infrastructure within an extensive green infrastructure network. To provide new and enhanced pedestrian and cycle links towards the town centre and within adjacent residential areas. To provide a robust and sensitive strategic screen planting along the site’s northern edge to reduce its visual impact, including views towards the site from the A5. Residential units which will principally be in the form of ‘dwellings houses’ (class C3), but could also include an element of ‘residential institutions’ (class C2) such as an extra care home. Provision of up to 25 per cent housing to include a mix of types and tenures. Land for a primary and a secondary school. Formal and informal public open spaces, sports facilities, children’s play area and allotments. A mixed-use district centre with food and other retail opportunities, plus community facilities which could involve a multi-functional community hall and a public house. One round of public consultation was held by the county council prior to the application being submitted and now people can have their say again. The borough council has set a target decision date for the plan as February next year. People can look at the plan and make comments online at www. nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk and search in the planning applications section for reference number 035279.