There is an eventful year ahead in 2008 for Kingsway, Gloucestershire’s leading homes, jobs and leisure destination, located on the A38, just south of Gloucester.
Occupations on the first Neighbourhood area of the one-time R.A.F Quedgeley base total almost 700. The first homes on the new Neighbourhoods 2 and 3 are now on sale with the first residents now well and truly settled in.
Three of the UK’s top house builders – George Wimpey, Bryant and Persimmon - are already constructing an exciting range of homes on the new Neighbourhoods whilst developers Miller, Barratt and Lioncourt Homes are also to build on the development.
The coming year is certain to be highly significant in many ways for the Kingsway development.
The building of the £4.4m new primary school by locally-based SpellerMetcalfe is now well underway and on target for completion by the end of the summer, in time to take its first pupils for the new September term.
Explains the company's Adrian Speller, "This exciting project is progressing extremely well, with ground works in place and the steel framework now erected. SpellerMetcalfe is delighted to be working as part of this community project, one of the first to be run from our new Gloucester offices".
The new school building, which covers some 2,000 square metres, has been designed by Gloucester-based architects, Quattro Design.
The building reflects the spirit of the old R.A.F. depot, which once operated on the Kingsway development with angled roof shapes that reflect aeroplane wings and the extensive use of glass throughout. It is light and airy and planned in such a way that many classrooms look out onto attractive courtyards. The school is being constructed using environmentally sustainable materials and features roof solar panels for heating water.
As much attention is also being paid to the immediate environs of the school. There are to be playing fields around the building and a specially planned and prepared area where children can experience, enjoy and learn about the many aspects of wildlife and nature.
A second primary school is also planned on Kingsway at a later stage of its development.
The new school is part of £6.6m made available to assist with local education by Quedgeley Urban Village Ltd (QUVL), which operates Kingsway.
QUVL consists of national house builders Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey and commercial developers Robert Hitchins Group.
In addition to building the Kingsway school, QUVL are also making a contribution towards secondary education provision in the city of Gloucester. This money, which is being made available for secondary education, will be spent on extra provision within the schools directly serving the south Gloucester area, which includes Kingsway itself.
The provision of this financial support was part of the planning permission given to QUVL to develop the new Kingsway destination.
As well as the construction of the new school, further exciting works are also getting underway during 2008.
It has been announced by Kingsway developers, the Cheltenham-based Robert Hitchins Limited and Persimmon that they are progressing with the detailed design for the Local Centre and that negotiations with occupiers are also proceeding. A pub/restaurant is also to be built in the stables and barn buildings around the historic Manor Farm, which is at the heart of Kingsway. It is estimated both could open by mid-2009.
Says Nicki Reed, Marketing Committee chairman, “This is sure to be the most significant year yet for Kingsway. Some wonderful new homes are being built and work on the much-anticipated local centre - with its Sainsbury’s store and Marston’s pub restaurant - also gets underway. There will be a new primary school by the end of the summer and the start of the business park - these are certainly fast moving, exciting times for Kingsway.”