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9 July 2010
An opening ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction work on a major new neighbourhood known as Kingsmere, in south west Bicester, by Countryside Properties (Bicester) Ltd. The development will bring a number of key benefits to Bicester including a new south west bypass, provide much-needed new and affordable homes in a high quality environment, create hundreds of new jobs and reserve a site for a new community hospital . Additional benefits include new community facilities, schools, a local centre and generous recreational and public open spaces.
Kingsmere will provide these benefits through a new south west peripheral road which should reduce congestion in the local area. An expected 1,585 new homes of all types and tenures will be provided including affordable homes which will be available through Bromford Housing Group and Paradigm Housing Group. New job opportunities will be created through a new hotel, business/employment space suitable for local and regional employers, a ‘village centre’ including shops, a community centre, a pub/restaurant and a day nursery, as well as a 'health village' with the capacity to provide for a GP surgery, medical centre, community hospital and nursing home. The health village will be developed by Medical Centre Developments Ltd. Education facilities in Bicester will be strengthened with a new primary school and land has been reserved for a new secondary school. There will also be 40 acres of land for much needed sports pitches and playing fields.
In total, Countryside Properties (Bicester) Ltd. will be contributing over £40 million for major improvements to local infrastructure and services in Kingsmere and in Bicester including public transport, education and highway improvements.
Countryside Properties (Bicester) Ltd, has appointed civil engineers, J Breheny Contractors Ltd to carry out the major infrastructure works for the 287 acre development, which have now begun. The first tranche of 95 homes will be built by Bovis Homes Ltd and preparation work is due to start on site this autumn, with construction of the homes expected to be completed by 2012/13.
Bob Langton, chairman of Bicester Vision, said: "We are delighted that a start on site at Kingsmere has now been made. This is positive news for Bicester and underlines the confidence that Countryside Properties has in the future growth potential of our town. This is a major piece in the jigsaw of Bicester and comes at a time when we are about to celebrate the start on our new town centre, new higher speed rail connections to London, Birmingham and, before too long, to Oxford.
"The development will bring a number of other benefits to Bicester including further road improvements, schooling, health, hotel, playing fields and retail facilities."
Director of Countryside Properties (Bicester) Ltd, Robin Hoyles, said: “We have made a long-term commitment to Bicester and are delighted to be able to proceed with this important project. Our aim is not just to provide new homes that will attract employers to Bicester, but to create a high quality community that will deliver a very wide range of benefits for the people of Bicester. We are very pleased to be working with Cherwell District Council and Bicester Vision to achieve their objectives for the town and look forward to creating a vibrant new neighbourhood.”
For more information, visit the Kingsmere website: www.kingsmere-bicester.com
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Notes to Editors
The Hobden Group, who own Medical Centre Developments Ltd the developers of the Health Village, are also providing significant funding for the Kingsmere development.
Bicester Vision is a private and public sector partnership formed in 2007 with the overall aim of creating a better Bicester through thriving communities. It is funded by contributions from over 20 local partners.
J Breheny Contractors Ltd is a specialist in all forms of civil engineering, with a focus on highways and structures, infrastructure, groundworks and landscaping, river, coastal and port works, drainage, utility and energy projects and waste management and recycling projects. It operates regional offices in Kent, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. The works at Kingsmere will be Breheny's fifth contract with Countryside Properties.
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Information correct as at 09/07/2010