Plans to build a further 1,200 homes and create thousands of new jobs at the £400m Locking Parklands development in Weston-super-Mare have been submitted by developer St. Modwen and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The partners have submitted an outline planning application to North Somerset Council to progress the flagship mixed use development two miles east of Weston-super-Mare. Regeneration specialist St. Modwen plans to develop a further 1,200 homes and 650,000 sq ft of commercial space on the 200 acre former RAF Locking site.
This follows the success of the earlier phases of the scheme, which has delivered a 6,000 sq ft office building, which could create up to 60 jobs and 100 new homes, which are now 95% sold. Construction is already underway on 150 homes in the second phase of housing offering one, two, three and four bedroom homes.
If planning is granted, Locking Parklands will host a market leading mixed use development where homes, jobs and leisure integrate to create a vibrant, exciting and sustainable community. The contemporary high quality design of the homes and commercial buildings will be further enhanced with exceptional long term management of parklands, playgrounds and high quality public realm all stewarded by the development's own 'community interest company'.
The scheme will comprise approximately 650,000 sq ft of employment space, including a 30,000 sq ft innovation centre, providing flexible work space for small companies and creating an estimated 2,000 employment related jobs. In terms of residential development, approximately 1,450 new homes in total are proposed of which an element will be affordable homes. The plans also include proposals for a secondary and a primary school, with 80 acres of landscaped open space and a new district centre which will include a retail high street and additional leisure and community facilities.
Rupert Joseland, South West Regional Director for St. Modwen, said: "The latest proposals for Locking Parklands will enable us to deliver a truly mixed use new community for Weston. The site was recently voted as one of the top three housing schemes in the UK and the next phase will build on that success to create employment space, jobs and affordable housing for the people of Weston."
Jay Lambe, HCA area manager, added: "Locking Parklands has been a resounding success, with stunning new homes and business space already created and proving popular. This is an exciting time for Locking Parklands, with people starting to see the benefits of our investment and partners’ work in terms of the homes and opportunities that are being created here. I look forward to seeing the development continue to succeed."
The HCA has invested around £6m in the first phase of development at Locking Parklands, taking the total level of investment by the HCA to more than £12.2m since 2002. The planning application should be determined later this year.
