Essential work that will unlock the first new homes at Manydown is underway, as part of a bold infrastructure-first approach to creating vibrant new communities at the site.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are working with Urban&Civic, a leading master developer, to create beautiful new communities at Manydown planned around public facilities and green spaces.

Following the completion of new construction accesses and archaeological investigations at the site, work is now underway to shape extensive green spaces and parks that will make up over half of the site, which spans almost 800 acres, and provide natural drainage and support biodiversity.

This includes a striking new park that has been designed to provide an attractive gateway into the site and link Manydown with existing communities at Winklebury.

Work on the main road leading into Manydown, from the junction of Roman Road, is set to begin in January 2025 and this will be followed by the start of work to install utilities needed for homes and community facilities.

The borough council’s Cabinet Member for Major Projects and Regeneration Cllr Onnalee Cubitt was updated on the progress of this work by David Ainsworth and Rebecca Smith from the councils’ development partner Urban&Civic.

Cllr Cubitt said: “We are determined that Manydown will be a leading example of infrastructure-led development, creating stunning communities that go beyond just beautiful homes, right from the start.

“It is striking that alongside new homes and facilities that will combine the best features from Hampshire villages and towns, over half of the site will remain as a network of green spaces and habitats, including a 250-acre countryside park that will be a first for our town.

“It is fantastic to see this important infrastructure work being delivered as this is the first step in creating communities that we can all be proud of and where people will love living and visiting.”

David Ainsworth, Project Director from Urban&Civic, said: “Things are really progressing at Manydown. Completing these infrastructure and design works are an important step towards seeing first residents in this new community.”

The site has outline planning permission for a new community of up to 3,520 new homes, a 250-acre countryside park, two primary schools with land reserved for a potential secondary school and other mixed uses including businesses, shops and community facilities.

For more information, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/Manydown