Planning permission has been granted for Newlands, the 211 hectare mixed use development at Waterlooville in Hampshire, by a joint committee of Winchester City Council and Havant Borough Council.

Grainger, the developer behind the plans has spent five years in extensive consultation with the local community to ensure this will be a place where people will want to live.

The consent allows for the building of 2,550 family homes, together with supporting social infrastructure, which includes a local community centre, land designated for healthcare and elderly care facilities, as well as two primary schools and a nursery.

In a demonstration of Grainger's strong commitment to the environment, the Company is making land available for allotments together with an abundance of green space for recreation. The river Wallington, which in recent years has deteriorated and been fed into a concrete channel, will be restored to its former glory and complement sustainable drainage systems that Grainger anticipates will be an environmental beacon for the new community. The planning committee also granted detailed permission for the first phase of development, submitted alongside the outline application, which includes 194 new homes designed by local architect ADAM Architecture. This first phase is due to begin on site later this year, and the traditionally designed homes will be in keeping with the character of the local area.

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Initial infrastructure works are anticipated to begin in Autumn 2011 with serviced parcels of development land to be sold onto housebuilders soon thereafter.

John Beresford, Director of Development at Grainger said: "Naturally we are thrilled with the Councils' decision. Throughout the process we have engaged with all local residents and interest groups and we feel this decision validates our commitment to the spirit of localism. After many years in consultation, the benefits will now be seen in this new, vibrant community. Our approach to the design has a feeling of the English Garden Suburb Movement where community well-being is at the heart of our philosophy. The new village will provide a sports centre, playing fields, a new local pub, shops and schools. It will also create a new, diverse habitat for local wildlife by including features such as ponds and open spaces. We are very much looking forward to seeing the community come to life."

(CD/GK)