Combing the connectivity, convenience, and opportunity of urban development, with the communal, green living of rural life, the Lincolnshire Lakes scheme shows a contemporary approach to new development. Six new villages are planned as part of the scheme , with 6000 homes spread out across the scheme. This construction is accompanied by the creation of five new lakes, reappropriating the landscape of former quarries and utilising the existing field irrigation system to develop the new lakes. 

The plans seek to redress a long running housing shortage in the North Lincolnshire region, with plans for a new construction being discussed as far back as 2003.  Plans were finalised with an Area Action Plan in 2016, produced with community consultation and initial construction began in early 2017. Development the first lake has been started by Clugston Construction, which has sourced £2 million in local growth funding. The North Lincolnshire council will be announcing further details of their plans at an upcoming conference in January 2020. The overall project will create approximately 3000 new jobs in the construction sector and is intended to be completed by 2028. [emaillocker id=”71749″]

The new developments will be closely linked with the nearby town of Scunthorpe, helping spearhead a greater revitalization effort in the area. The plans aim for a target of 20% affordable housing, and taking into account the demography of the area have outlined and appropriate  diversity of house sizes and types. In addition, the council has adopted a ‘Strategic Design Guide’ which aims to preserve Lincolnshire vernacular architectural elements in new constructions, while allowing for contemporary reinterpretation and variety within the new builds.

The lakes are intended to be the beating heart of the new villages, enabling a thriving community around them. Not only will they serve to enhance the natural beauty of the area, but they will provide opportunities for recreation and sports. By designating a focal point for the community, the planners have avoided the soullessness sometimes associated with new developments. Construction of cycle paths and watersports facilities will give the community an attractive leisure culture. There will be two destination parks, in villages one and five and a total of 77 hectares of parkland.  The lakes will provide 81 ha of recreational water for the community. This will facilitate tourism to the area, where families will be able to visit the picturesque landscape and participate in the many activities that will be facilitated by the development. 

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project, which invokes many elements of the Garden city movement, including a designated ‘Garden Village’ complimenting the project. 238 Hectares of green space will require sustainable planning to maintain. The development is also supported by 120 ha of green infrastructure, with ‘Environmental stewardship’ being a key aspect of the project.  A detailed biodiversity study was undertaken prior to any construction, and a total of 70 ha of land has been designated to maintain the diversity of the area. Energy generation will also be supported by wind and biomass power, limiting the carbon contribution of the area. 

Infrastructure expansion is needed to enable the construction of the Lincolnshire Lakes, with the council ensuring the area is serviced to the necessary degree. A new 13.5 million junction for the M181 road will ensure good road access to the new development and prevent the new houses from overwhelming the existing transport network. There has also been £13.3 million spent on flood prevention, ensuring long term safety for the area. Developers have also made a £5 million contribution to a secondary school and two new primary schools will be constructed to service the area.  The area is already well serviced by rail, being able to reach London within an Hour and a half 

New Towns in the UK have been overall a strong financial success, the rare opportunity to create a new community from the ground up allows a stronger degree in flexibility for development.  The project aims to open a commercial park by 2028, allowing further economic development in the area. Coupled with the accompanying investments in infrastructure and sustainability the Lincolnshire Lakes is one of the most exciting emerging communities.  [/emaillocker]