February 18, 2019 4.23 pm This story is over 69 months old

3,700-home “garden village” set for approval

The development also includes shops, schools and a health centre
The layout of the Spitalgate Heath development.

A garden village on the edge of Grantham which will include 3,700 homes along with shops, schools and a health centre is to get the green light next week.

Spitalgate Heath is one of 14 such urban expansions planned across the country by the government.

The plans have already appeared before councillors last July when they were agreed in principle, with councillors saying they wanted to “create a special place”.

How some of the housing could be laid out according to the plans.

Now council officers are recommending final approval on Tuesday.

They say: “The development would have wider benefits including new housing, new expenditure in the town, new customers for the existing shops and services, the creation of new places where people can live, work, be educated and enjoy recreation, and importantly facilitating and supporting the delivery of the Grantham Southern Relief Road.”

Garden villages aim to create new communities with green spaces, good transport links and aspirational homes.

The 224 hectare village, which was already earmarked for new housing, will also include 110,000 square metres of employment space, creating up to 3,000 new jobs, a primary and secondary school, a health centre, sports facilities and shops.

An aerial view showing the boundaries of the proposed development.

A new riverside park, outdoor sports and play areas, community orchard and allotments will be connected by footpaths, cycleways and landscaped corridors.

Councillors have previously welcomed the development, including Councillor Jacky Smith, who told Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Jaines: “I think it’s a very good thing and we’ll be pleased to see it making a positive start and getting the development on the way.

“It’s something where we have always felt we were very privileged to get the village scheme.

“There are intentions to have riverside walks as part of it extending in to the town and beyond so there’ll be some nice walking facilities with lovely scenery, plus of course it’s on the edge of the town and will have easy access to village activities and countryside.”

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