Plans submitted as 1,500 homes scheme begins

The Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is behind the scheme for the Carr Lodge project in Balby, Doncaster, and already has outline planning permission for up to 1,500 homes on the site.

The land, which is currently greenfield and was once farmland, adjoins the Woodfield Plantation housing estate, and blueprints show a variety of community facilities will be provided in the new development.

Ownership of the site rests with the HCA and it has appointed Doncaster-based Keepmoat as its “preferred developer” in the first phase of the project, with the company providing 172 “affordable” homes.

A further 132 larger houses will also be built by Keepmoat sister firm Strata Homes as part of the first phase, and the HCA said 30 self-build hosuing plots will also be made available.

Work has already begun on the 69 hectare (170 acre) site with civil engineer Mott Macdonald currently completing a spine road across the open site.

The road, which planenrs said will open to the public when complete, will link roundabouts at either end of Woodfield Way, one close to Tesco at Woodfield Plantation and the other next to Holiday Inn close to White Rose Way.

Keepmoat describes itself as housing and regeneration specialist and Mark Knight, new build managing director for the firm, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as the preferred developer for the first phase of homes at Carr Lodge and we look forward to working in partnership with the HCA, Strata and a social housing provider to deliver affordable new homes.

“As a local company based in Doncaster, it means a lot to be involved in such a significant, flagship project that will have a long lasting impact on the area.

“The homes that will be developed in the first phase will be of mixed tenure offering a variety of choice to the highest quality design ensuring that the needs of local families are met.

The HCA said work on new housing was due to begin in March and added Carr Lodge will be Doncaster’s first “low-carbon community” with all homes designed to the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.

The outline application, which was approved in February 2011. shows that the wider development will include a new main street and village square incorporating shops and a community hall.

Blueprints also incorporate other community facilities including a children’s nursery, a primary school, youth club, sports pitches, play areas and a linear park.

The HCA said that when it is complete, Carr Lodge will include a network of high-quality green routes, which have been designed to encourage walking and cycling and provide connections to local facilities.

Alan Beveridge, area manager at the Homes and Communities Agency said: “This planning application is a great start to 2013 – it builds upon our investment of £5m to provide a road so Keepmoat can start delivering much need local homes.

“The mix of house types including some Custombuild plots will ensure that local people will be able to move into the home they want at a price they can afford.”

The first phase of the development is expected to take three years to complete with houses being built to the west of the site, close to the existing Tesco supermarket first.

Full plans are still being validated by planners at Doncaster Council, but a spokesman at the authority said they would be available for inspection in the next few days.

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