WORK is soon set to get underway on the first homes in the planned Long Marston Garden Village.
Cala Homes has overcome the final steps to beginning work on 400 homes, which have already got planning permission, in the planned 3,500 home development.
The first homes at the airfield site will feature a mix of two to five bedroom properties, including 70 affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership. The first homes are set for completion next year.
Stratford District Council leader Tony Jefferson said: “We are very pleased that the first phase of the development at Long Marston is going ahead.
“Given the complexity of the scheme it has taken a lot of work by the various stakeholders to reach this point. It demonstrates what can be achieved by taking a strategic view and working hard to get the desired outcome.”
The final garden village is set to be around the size of 240 football pitches, with some 75 of them used for green space, sports pitches and allotments.
Daniel Forrester, regional land director at Cala Homes Midlands, was equally pleased.
He said: “We’re delighted to have completed the final steps which enable us to start work on such an important development for Stratford and the surrounding area. The acquisition of the site has been a long and complex process.
“This is a flagship site for Cala Homes and a key development in delivering local housing targets. We’re incredibly proud to be playing an important role in the regeneration of a brownfield site into what will be a thriving new community.
The homes will be be split across four neighbourhoods. The largest, Marston Mead, will contain the village centre with supermarket, pub, cafes, a primary and secondary school, shops and health centre.
Plans for the proposed South Western Relief Road, linked to the garden village application, has been met by fierce opposition from many residents.
Developers argue the site is well positioned with routes into the Stratford for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.
