New homes at former Long Marston Airfield given seal of approval

National homebuilder, CALA Homes, has officially launched its new housing development Fernleigh Park, currently being built on the disused former Long Marston Airfield site near Stratford-upon-Avon, with a ceremony attended by prominent local government stakeholders.

The site was visited and officially opened by Councillor Edward Fitter, Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, representatives from Homes England and CALA at a socially distanced visit on Friday 21^st May 2021.

CALA is currently building 246 two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom homes at Fernleigh Park, Long Marston - the first phase in a wider 400-home scheme, with Bovis Homes delivering the remainder. It will see the regeneration of the old Airfield site into a new village community with amenities including a community hub and cycle paths linking it to the popular Stratford Greenway route.

Fernleigh Park also complements its semi-rural Warwickshire location and features an expansive 52 acres of green space and outdoor amenities - nearly half the total site - including wildlife ponds, play parks, sport pitches, allotments and a community orchard.

The visit consisted of a tour of the site and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch the three new showhomes that are now open to the public. CALA directors also presented on  the wider impact of this scheme on Stratford-upon-Avon, outlining how the  £2.9m investment through Section 106 contributions will support the surrounding community through improving healthcare, affordable homes, libraries and upkeep of green space.

The development was praised for its sustainable and considerate design, with all homes built to be energy efficient and to a high specification of fixtures and fittings. CALA's commitment to ensuring the development supports biodiversity and the local environment was also commended, with the overall scheme seeing some 8,000 new native trees and shrubs planted as part of its landscaping.

Fernleigh Park has a key role to play in helping to secure the long-term sustainability of the region. It marks the first phase in what will hopefully be a wider masterplan of some 3,000 new homes for the area - a major component of the Stratford-upon-Avon Core Strategy. The site is also part of the Garden Communities Programme and has received infrastructure funding from Homes England.

Councillor Edward Fitter, Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "Congratulations to all involved with the opening of Fernleigh Park. As well as providing new homes for local people it's wonderful to see a sustainable community being formed offering such a vast amount of green space and outdoor amenities to encourage healthy, active lifestyles.  It was a pleasure to meet the talented members of their team who have all worked very hard."

As part of CALA's commitment to providing a development which suits diverse needs, 40 homes will also be delivered as affordable housing through social housing provider Stonewater.

Construction is well underway with the first homes at Fernleigh Park due to be handed over in September and reservations available now, with 10 homes already reserved ahead of launch.

Andrew Dicker, Managing Director of CALA Homes Midlands, said: "Fernleigh Park is a chance to create a new community in Warwickshire and, as with all our developments, we've designed it with sustainability firmly in mind. From the protected green spaces that support local wildlife and ecosystems to the amenities that prioritise wellbeing and outdoor exercise, we're incredibly proud of what we are creating for the wider region.

"Today's visit has been a chance to share and celebrate our progress with Stratford-on-Avon Council and Homes England - both of which have played a huge part in progressing and shaping our vision for Fernleigh Park - and we want to thank them for their ongoing support. With our first showhomes now open, we're looking forward to welcoming potential residents in to see first-hand the homes and community that we are building here."