Planners have given the go ahead for 650 extra homes at Kingsway, the major home, jobs and leisure destination on the A38 to the south of Gloucester.
The new homes will be built on phase 4 of the development on land originally designated for a rail freight terminal. The terminal is no longer needed. The number of homes to be built on Kingsway into the next decade will now total 3,600 homes.
The first homes are now for sale on new Phases 2 and 3, whilst occupations on Phase One now top 600.
The road infrastructure build on the Phase 2 and 3 three land of the development, where over 1,000 more homes are to be built, is in its final stages with six major new homes developers already making final preparations to begin selling homes on these next two phases later in the year.
The development’s bus service has just been launched and work on the new two year entry Kingsway primary school has now begun with completion due next year. A further school is planned at a later stage of the development.
As well as the major UK new homes developers of Persimmon, Barratt, Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey, all of whom built homes on the first phase of the development, Miller Homes and Lion Court Homes are also building on Phases 2 and 3.
Nicki Reed, Chairman of the Marketing Committee of QUVL Ltd, explains Kingsway will be far more than just another housing development.
“We are creating a new community, which will become a vibrant village for both work and play. Kingsway itself is a very unique place and it will play a major part in the overall urban regeneration of the neighbouring Gloucester area.
As Quedgeley becomes more established the areas surrounding the development will experience the positive knock-on effect of this new community. The lucky people who manage to secure a property at Kingsway Village will experience a truly special environment that will be difficult to match elsewhere.”
Work on building the many exciting community facilities for Kingsway is also now well to the fore.
The plans for the development’s Local Centre have now been finalised with building due to be completed by the end of 2008. The Centre will contain shops - including a main food store - a place of worship, a community centre, a health centre and a pub restaurant and café.
Also included will be a tennis court complex, play areas, additional housing and 20 new build apartments.
A wide range of well-planned and presented leisure facilities of all kinds will also be provided on Kingsway. Work on restoring an historic orchard within the development is almost completed. There will be over 40 acres of public open space with football pitches and a cricket square with pavilion.
A modern employment area is being planned on Kingsway, which is being developed by Cheltenham-based Robert Hitchins Ltd. On a site of approximately 40 acres, a range of business properties will be developed in a variety of sizes covering offices, light industrial premises and warehouses. There will also be opportunities for units to be developed to suit occupiers’ individual requirements.
As this process will evolve over many years, a number of existing buildings will be kept for medium term so that there is continuity of employment on the Kingsway site as it undergoes this transformation.