New development with community focus set to create 100 jobs

MORE than 100 jobs are set to be created in Warwick at a new mixed-use development with a community focus.

The new Local Centre, next to Heathcote Primary School at the junction of Harbury Lane and Vickers Way, will include a Co-op anchor store and more besides.

Plans submitted by LSP Developments to Warwick District Council were approved last year to develop the Lower Heathcote Local Centre .

Heart of England Co-operative will operate a 4,000 sq ft unit and will also be the owner of four ancillary retail units, to be let to a variety of businesses.

Possible uses suggested include a dentist, bistro and health and beauty salon.

The community-focused area will include new offices for housing association and developer L&Q Estates and the first Little Pioneers nursery in Warwick for up to 100 children.

Little Pioneers is part of the Midcounties Cooperative Group, whose headquarters are at Warwick Technology Park.

Cinnamon Care Collection is to operate a 75-en-suite bedroom care home which will feature lounges, dining rooms, a library, activities room, a cinema and hair salon, and will create around 70 jobs.

At the heart of the development will be a public square with landscaping and seating.

Ian Hardwick, managing director of Warwick-based L&Q Estates, said the Local Centre would provide facilities for families living nearby as well as those who move into the allocation of 1,600 new homes within Warwick District Council’s Local Plan.

“This will provide a real community focus for residents who live south of Lower Heathcote,” he said.

“There will be a wide range of services which the community can use on a daily basis centred around a high quality landscaped public square which we hope will prove really popular for residents to use. Work started earlier this year on creating the Local Centre facilities which will be delivered in phases, the first phase being the retail due for completion in early 2022.”

Ed Sutton, managing director at LSP Developments, said: “This development has been testament to strong partnership working, not least between L&Q Estates and Warwick District Council, but also other stakeholders such as the parish council and allimportant consultation with the local residents at Lower Heathcote, to whom this scheme will serve.

“It will be a high-quality development, providing a range of uses to serve all age groups.

“Importantly, the scheme is not just accessible by car and bus, but there is great access to the development both by foot or bicycle from the surrounding houses.

“The intention is to provide the local centre at the heart of the community, creating a real sense of place and vibrance.”

Councillor John Cooke, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for development, said: “We’re very pleased to see the creation of the new Local Centre, which will provide much-needed facilities to serve the growing population and provide a hub for the community to meet and socialise.

“It’s also important that this will be accessible to local people, who can get to the new centre safely on foot or by cycling.”