A landmark agreement between Hertfordshire County Council and Urban&Civic, the UK’s leading master developer, to transform a major new vision for Baldock into a reality has been signed and sealed.
The County Council, which selected Urban&Civic as its development partner for the proposed new neighbourhoods to the north and east of Baldock in summer last year, has now finalised an agreement which will see the scheme come forward over the next 20 years.
Using land that the County Council owns, the scheme will create
- Up to 3,300 much-needed new homes in a wide range of sizes including flats, with affordable homes as part of an inclusive urban extension to Baldock;
- Around 600,000sq ft of new employment space;
- a new country park;
- a new secondary school;
- two primary schools.
A network of cycling and walking routes will also provide links to the town centre and the railway station, as well as investment in bus stops and routes, providing a boost for sustainable transport throughout Baldock. Plans also include proposals for care facilities within the new neighbourhoods to support the county’s aging population.
As a master developer specialising in large-scale sites, Urban&Civic’s focus will be on designing sustainable new neighbourhoods supported by high-quality transport and community infrastructure from the earliest stages of the development. As with all of Urban&Civic’s projects, Baldock will also prioritise significant biodiversity net gain, working with the natural environment to create places for both people and nature to enjoy.
The County Council, which was supported on property matters for this scheme by Carter Jonas, and Urban&Civic will refresh the vision for the development, where needed, and work closely with North Herts District Council as it adopts its new Local Plan later this year, and jointly progress the master planning.
Scott Crudgington, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources at Hertfordshire County Council, said:
“This exciting scheme for Baldock is the biggest property development project that Hertfordshire County Council has taken forward for a number of years. We are extremely pleased to be working with Urban&Civic to build high-quality homes in this area of North Hertfordshire – homes like these are badly needed across our county as our population increases over the coming years.
“Of course, it is absolutely vital that we deliver this project in a measured way; creating sustainable and thriving communities, while respecting the existing environment and complementing our historic towns, and we are all committed to doing just that.”
Nigel Hugill, Chief Executive of Urban&Civic, said:
“The real thrill at Baldock is the prospect of participating in properly joined-up regional planning and development. We are absolutely delighted to be working, not just with Hertfordshire County Council as landowner, but with a collaboration of other stakeholders, notably North Herts District Council.
“An integral part of the combined proposals is a new country park that will come to define Baldock just as much as its wonderful medieval town centre. New homes, new schools, enhanced transport and better access to the railway station. We simply can't wait to get started.”