Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has given the green light to the first phase of a £115m ‘canal village’ in Hawkesbury, Warwickshire. The Terra Strategic site encompasses a total of 72-acres (29.1Ha).
A Resolution to Grant has been awarded for 204 homes, extensive infrastructure works and community facilities. The entire length of the development area is bounded by Coventry Canal, with vehicular access provided from Stockley Road and Sephton Drive – both off Blackhorse Road. The site lies just north of Hawkesbury village, which is served by regular bus routes, schooling and local amenities. It was a Golf Course between 1990 and 2006, but historically had been used for mining activity.
Solihull-based Terra Strategic purchased the land unconditionally and then secured its allocation for at least 380 residential units, infrastructure and community facilities in the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Plan, which was adopted in 2019. This first phase covers 32 acres (12.9 Ha) and will include 204 high quality dwellings, including a 25 per cent provision of affordable housing. In addition, there will be a circa 2,000 sq ft community building with a dedicated car park, allotments, orchard, Public Open Space and a children’s play area, a BMX track, cycle and pedestrian routes – including a new Sustrans link – habitat enhancement, landscaping and associated highway works.
There are four ponds/pools across the site, including Hawkesbury Farm Pool, which will all be retained and will form a key part of the ecology strategy for the scheme. The masterplan for the whole 72 acres has been carried out by Hampshire-based Thrive Architects, with Birmingham-based Malcolm Payne Design Group responsible for the detailed design for the first phase.
James O’Shea, Managing Director of Terra Strategic said: “We are surprised by how close the decision was – bearing in mind it is an allocated site – but delighted that the Planning Committee has resolved to approve our application for this significant first phase of the scheme. This ‘canal village’ will create a vibrant new community, which is only a five-mile canalside walk or cycle ride into Coventry city centre. It will have a transformative effect on the local area, and we are especially keen for work to be able to commence as soon as possible, to coincide our multi-million-pound enhancements to the public realm with the 2021 City of Culture initiative.”
The 204 homes will include a wide range of accommodation, incorporating one-bedroom maisonettes, two-bedroom apartments and bungalows, and two, three and four-bedroom family homes. The homes have been designed with a striking mixture of red brick and render.
The site is traversed by three public footpaths, which provide links with Hawkesbury Village to the south; Bayton Road Industrial Estate and Bedworth town centre to the west; and along Coventry Canal and beyond to Coventry Way to the north and south. The development will retain these footpaths, with new links to be created north-south and east-west through the centre of the site. New cycle ways will also be created. The scheme will also create two acres of allotment gardens with timber storage sheds and a community orchard.
Terra Strategic is an experienced residential land specialist, which enters into agreements with landowners and then pursues, funds and secures an agreeable planning permission. It also has the financial resources to secure land with or without residential planning consent to assist landowners looking for a quick sale process.
Terra Strategic has a national reach, having secured residential land in Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
