The UK's leading regeneration specialist St. Modwen has moved a
step closer to progressing its plans for a £100 million,
leisure-led mixed-used development - known as the Long Marston
Masterplan - on a 478 acre site in Warwickshire, following a
resolution to grant planning permission from Stratford on Avon
District Council.
Subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement, and pending a
decision from the Secretary of State on whether to 'call in' the
application for further consideration, Quinton-based developer St.
Modwen has been given the green light by Stratford on Avon District
Council for a landmark scheme at the former MOD site in Long
Marston, creating a leisure hub featuring 150 self catering lodges
and 150 holiday homes.
Crucially, the Masterplan would secure 800,000 sq m of existing
employment space on site, safeguarding hundreds of jobs; and 500
new homes will boost the provision of residential property in the
District. An outdoor activity centre and caravan park also
form part of the Long Marston Masterplan, together with football
and cricket pitches and a rail heritage centre.
John Dodds, regional director, St. Modwen says: "Today's
announcement represents the culmination of several years' work and
commitment, in terms of consulting with the public and stakeholders
and working closely with Stratford on Avon District Council to
agree a suitable development option for Long Marston. We are buoyed
by this outcome as we strongly believe St. Modwen's leisure-led
mixed-use development represents a significant investment in
Stratford-upon-Avon's tourism offering, delivering welcomed new
leisure facilities.
"With an existing employment hub at Long Marston, a permanent
planning permission will provide certainty for the businesses
currently located on site, helping to protect jobs and enabling
employers to plan for their future growth. Furthermore, the new
homes planned will increase the opportunities for homebuyers in the
District to get on or move up the property ladder, tapping into the
pent up demand for residential properties in Stratford-upon-Avon.
We will now continue to liaise with Stratford on Avon
District Council as we await a decision from the Secretary of State
on the masterplan - which is expected by the end of January."
St. Modwen acquired the 478 acre, former MoD army base site in
2004. Long earmarked for redevelopment, since 2006, St. Modwen has
been consulting with the public and working closely with Stratford
District Council to identify a suitable use for the site. The
development will also retain and improve upon existing ecological
habitats and landscaping.
Barton Willmore is St. Modwen's appointed planning consultants
on Long Marston.