Name and timeline revealed for Midlands new town
Around 5,000 homes will be built in a Midlands new town by 2041, according to new documents released this week.
Planning applications for Wychavon, a proposed community around 5 miles to the south-east of Worcester city centre, could be submitted by the the end of next year, developers behind the scheme say – with an eventual target of more than 10,000 homes expected to be built.
Key infrastructure for the new town, as well as the early stages of the town centre, could begin to emerge by 2027.
The area around Worcestershire Parkway railway station was included on a list of 12 proposed new towns released by the government’s task force earlier this year, planned to house new communities of over 10,000 houses and a key part of proposals to deliver 1.5m homes before the end of the current parliament in 2029.
The town’s new name, along with early visuals for the scheme, was released with the unveiling of a new website this weekend.
Publicity material released on the site says the town will provide a “bold response” to the climate crisis and a national housing shortage,
Further details for the future vision for the town are set to be released in January, along with the launch of a public consultation on the Wychavon Town Supplementary Planning Document – a set of guidance developers should follow when preparing planning applications for the new town.
“The launch of the new website means, for the first time, people can see what Wychavon Town will look like and explore our vision in detail. It will also be a vital tool to help keep existing communities updated and a way to continuously engage with the council as the town develops over time,” said Cllr Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s executive board nember for planning, infrastructure and urban design.
“Calling the town Wychavon will ensure the shared identity, heritage and strong sense of community that defines our district will be preserved for future generations.
“Wychavon Town being infrastructure-led means we’re putting responsibility and long-term thinking at the heart of this project. The Infrastructure Planning Application we’re preparing is a critical step in ensuring the schools, transport links, health facilities and community buildings are in place to support development as they are needed and not following on afterwards, or as we see in some places, never at all.”
Key delivery partners on the scheme include Homes England, Brighton STM Developments (Merton College), Hallam Land/Spetchely Estate, Summix, Wain Estates, and Bellway Homes. Specialist advisers Arcadis, David Lock Associates and KMC Transport are also working on the project.
