Gainsborough: Building of new housing development is now expected to start early 2016

neighbourhood in Gainsborough and double its population

is still to get off the ground -

despite plans to start building

work this year.

More than 2,500 homes are set to be built on land south of Foxby Lane over the next 20 years, which will double the town’s population.

Land owners Thonock and Somerby Estates, and property advisors Savills had originally hoped to start work back in the autumn of 2012.

In May this year it was announced that work was due to start in autumn this year, however the building work for the first phase of the development now looks set to start early next year.

Simon Douglas, Director at Savills Leeds said: ‘Phase 1 will consist of some 400 houses. The on-site and off-site infrastructure works contract is in place and the intention is that Persimmon Homes will construct the houses.

“One of the planning conditions relates to the agreement of a Design Code which sets the standard of design of the whole development. A lot of work has gone into this between the land owners, infrastructure provider and house builder.

“The document has now been submitted to the Local Authority.

“It is unlikely that a start on the housing will be before Christmas, however some time in Spring is more realistic.

“It is very important that this development is planned and designed in a way that compliments the architectural merits of Gainsborough and that it does not just look like most new build housing estates.”

Also in the plans for the ‘new neighbourhood’ are two primary schools, a medical surgery, retail and office units, parks, a lake, cricket, rugby and two hockey pitches and an all weather multi-use games area with changing facilities.

Once the first phase of building gets started, which will be for 400 houses, it is estimated that the development will take 12 to 13 years to complete with around 200 new homes added each year.

Mayor of Gainsborough, Coun Matthew Boles, said: “It is over four years since outline planning permission was granted for a major new development which will ultimately fulfil half the proposed expansion of Gainsborough.

“If Gainsborough is to have a prosperous future we need to grow the town, but housing alone is not the answer.

“New homes means more people who need jobs to attract them to Gainsborough and will want to use services such as schools and medical facilities.”