Work begins on major mixed-use scheme

Developer Robert Hitchins is forging ahead with a mixed-use development, which will bring 1,300 homes and hundreds of job opportunities to Innsworth near Gloucester.The residential part of the scheme will be led by national housebuilder Taylor Wimpey which has acquired the land from Robert Hitchins and has commenced construction.Work on a major roundabout on the A40 Gloucester bypass is due to start in the coming months, providing the main access point into Innsworth Park and eventually linking back to Innsworth Lane. When complete, the scheme will include retail and leisure facilities at a ten-acre district centre, as well as commercial opportunities at a four-acre office park and a 6.7 acre business park.There will also be a new primary school, sport and leisure facilities and extensive landscaping.As well as the new roundabout between the Longford and Elmbridge Court roundabouts, a spine road will be built leading from the A40 to Innsworth Lane providing greater connectivity to the north east, Churchdown, Staverton and Cheltenham.The whole Innsworth Park development will take place in phases: the road infrastructure and primary school should be complete by 2021.The residential area of two, three and four-bedroom homes has been named Whittle Park in honour of local hero Sir Frank Whittle, creator of the jet engine.The developer has contributed £10.8m as part of a Section 106 agreement towards education, sports and community facilities, public open spaces and transport.Agents for the District Centre are ARC Retail Property Consultants and Alder King. Agents for the Office Park and Business Park are Alder King and Cushman & Wakefield.