Green light for first phase of Long Marston Garden Village

Construction of one of the UK’s first new garden villages has now begun at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford upon Avon following the sale of part of the land to developer CALA Homes.

A team at Lodders led by James Mottram, a residential development law specialist, and partner in the Real Estate practice, and including corporate law specialist Victor Matts, advised the landowners on the sale of 110-acres of the development site to CALA.

“Long Marston Garden Village is one of the first generation of new garden villages being created across the country,” explains James, “and work has begun preparing the site, now that the sale of land for the first phase to CALA has completed.”

Garden villages are designed to be distinct communities with their own facilities, rather than extensions to existing urban areas, and will not only deliver homes, but also bring new jobs and boost local economies. Phase 1 of Long Marston will deliver 400 high quality homes, 17.5% of which will be designated as affordable homes which will include homes for key workers. The development will also deliver 4000 square meters of employment and commercial space that will deliver jobs locally, in addition the site will also provide a community orchard, a new sports pavilion and 21-hectare of open space.

“Garden villages are intended to create new communities with their own facilities and sense of space and place rather than be extensions to existing settlements,” says James, “and I am delighted to have been part of the team that has brought forward one of the first generation garden villages to the region.”

Lodders worked alongside agent Jonathan Thompson, of Jonathan Thompson Land and Consultancy Limited, who has acted for the Landowners since 2017 and continues to do so.

Jonathan explains: “Due to the hard work and engagement of all key stakeholders, this development has progressed at a pace and I am pleased to see the scheme come to fruition. Without the Grant Funding of £13.4 million pounds from Homes England under their Housing Infrastructure Scheme, this site would not have been able to come forward. This site is a clear example of how Government and Local policy is working to accelerate the delivery of much needed housing and employment.”

Sustainable communities

James adds: “Being involved with a development of such importance highlights Lodders expertise in Real Estate and particularly development.”

“Garden villages are a real opportunity for developers and local authorities to create sustainable and attractive communities with the highest levels of design because they are starting with a blank canvas,” says James.

The Long Marston Garden Village scheme will eventually include up to 3,500 new homes, a six-hectare business park, as well as a relief road.

The development also includes a section 106 agreement which will see around £3 million distributed between Stratford District Council and Warwickshire County Council for community projects, while the site will provide further employment land, community facilities, two primary schools, a secondary school and a significant amount of public open space including parks, outdoor sports pitches and amenity space.

Lodders’ Real Estate practice is one of the largest in the West Midlands, with 32 specialist real estate, commercial property, planning, construction and highways legal experts, including nine partners.