|
National property and construction consultancy Wakemans has been retained to advise on cost planning for the commercial scheme at Lightmoor Village, the £33m mixed-use sustainable community being developed in south-west South Telford.
Wakemans has been appointed by Crest Nicholson (Midlands), who have been commissioned to build the £2m commercial property element of the Village Centre development. Crest Nicholson has also been appointed developer for the overall scheme. Wakemans will also take an ongoing role providing cost consultancy services to Crest Nicholson.
Lightmoor Village is a joint venture by Bournville Village Trust (BVT) and English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency that helps the Government to support high quality sustainable growth in England. English Partnerships inherited the 178 acre (72 ha) site, which is close to the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge, from the former Telford Development Corporation.
The mixed-use scheme will incorporate a mix of houses and apartments, offices, three small shops, a family pub/restaurant, a primary school and a lifelong learning centre. There will also be a community centre, which will provide indoor sports and recreational facilities plus healthcare and multi-faith worship amenities and community management offices.
Lightmoor Village has been designed to be in keeping with the existing landscape, to ensure minimal impact on the environment, and adheres to the original Bournville Village model.
It will be built around a triangular village green with 54 acres (22ha) of publicly accessible open space dedicated to sport, leisure and recreational uses.
Tamworth-based Crest Nicholson will carry out landscaping and create the major infrastructure for the Village Centre, which includes providing road access to the village and linking it with the proposed school and community facilities and providing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to help regulate the flow of surface rainwater and so minimise the likelihood of flooding.
The 210,000 sq ft (19,500 sq m) residential development comprises a total of 800 homes, with 40 properties already sold or let to Bournville Village Trust tenants at Round House Park, near Myford, and 108 under construction at Oakham Manor. Of the 222 homes to be built by Crest Nicholson, at least 25% will be affordable housing, since the properties will be purchased by Bournville Village Trust and let to tenants.
The first phase of construction by Crest Nicholson comprises 111 houses and apartments plus the ‘village square’ and the commercial property, which will be purchased and managed by Bournville Village Trust. Work started on site last August, when local contractor McPhillips (Wellington) was appointed to carry out the extension of Lightmoor Way, and is expected to be completed in 2009.
The whole Lightmoor Village development is earmarked for completion in 2014.
|
