Green light for second phase of £115m ‘canal village’
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council granted outline planning to strategic land specialist Terra for the second phase of a £115m “canal village” in Hawkesbury, Warwickshire.
The site encompasses a total of 72-acres.
The 39-acre phase two development will include 176 homes, landscaped public open space and park provision, a new bridge over the Coventry Canal connecting Bedworth with Coventry, additional cycle and pedestrian routes, and extensive infrastructure works.
Solihull-based Terra purchased the land unconditionally and secured its allocation for 380 residential units, infrastructure and community facilities in the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Plan, which was adopted in 2019.
Detailed planning approval for the first phase was granted in 2021, and construction work is well underway by Terra’s sister company Living Space and Vistry Group, who are delivering the first 204 dwellings.
The initial tranche of community facilities are nearing completion, including a 2,000 sq ft community building with a dedicated car park, allotments, orchard, and a children’s play area, a BMX track, cycle and pedestrian routes – including a new Sustrans link.
James O’Shea, managing director of Terra, said: “Having purchased this 72-acre site unconditionally and then secured the allocation for residential development in Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Borough Plan, we are very pleased to receive a resolution to grant outline planning consent for the second phase. This ‘canal village’ is creating a vibrant new community, which is only a five-mile canalside walk or cycle ride into Coventry city centre. The scheme will have a transformative effect on the local area and provide significant community benefits, as well as a total of 380 quality new homes for north Warwickshire.”
The 153 open market properties and 51 affordable homes in the first phase will comprise one-bedroom maisonettes, two-bedroom apartments and bungalows, and two, three and four-bedroom family houses.
The masterplan for the whole 72-acres has been carried out by Hampshire-based Thrive Architects.
