First phase of £115m ‘canal village’ gets green light

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has given the green light to the first phase of a 72-acre, £115m “canal village” in Hawkesbury, Warwickshire.

Tarra Strategic has been granted planning permission for 204 homes,infrastructure works and community facilities.

The entire length of the development area, just north of Hawkesbury village, is bounded by Coventry Canal. It was a golf course between 1990 and 2006, but historically had been used for mining activity.

As well as the new homes, the site will include a 2,000 sq ft community building with a 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 multimillion-pound enhancements to the public realm with the 2021 City of Culture initiative.”