Nurton gets go ahead for 2,850 new homes in Burton6th December 2013

Outline planning consent for 2,850 new homes and 50 acres of employment land - designed to create up to 3,000 jobs over a ten year period - has been granted to Birmingham based Nurton Developments (Quintus) Ltd, who will be creating a new multi-million pound community in Burton.

The new Branston Locks scheme will be developed on 400 acres of greenfield land immediately to the West of Burton with direct access to the A38 Branston Interchange. The new community will include a local centre featuring a food outlet, convenience stores, recreational facilities and community facility. A primary school, medical facilities, and an extra-care unit and/or a nursing home for the elderly will also be delivered.

Nurton acquired the land in June 2008 and following a lengthy master planning design and consultation process submitted the outline planning application in November 2012. Branston Locks is specifically identified as a strategic site allocation for a Sustainable Urban Extension within East Staffordshire Borough Council's (ESBC) pre-submission draft of their local plan. Given the scale of the scheme ESBC will refer the resolution to grant consent to the Secretary of State.

Rupert Young, Nurton's development director said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the planning meeting. This is a major step forward for a proposal that fully reflects the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework. Branston Locks has a significant role to play in the future growth and prosperity of Burton. We have worked collaboratively with ESBC’s officers and did not choose to submit our application until the time was right. Our professional team, led by Peter Leaver at Jones Lang LaSalle has done a fantastic job for us."

Nurton will sell on parcels of land for residential development but is likely to deliver the commercial elements directly.

Peter Leaver a national director of the planning team at the Birmingham offices of Jones Lang LaSalle added: "The Branston Locks scheme is a very good example of a sustainable urban extension being promoted through a collaborative process with the local council rather than being imposed through the appeal process.

"We are hopeful that the people of Burton will see the proposed development as a clear opportunity to deliver a new community, that will be truly sustainable and act as a positive influence on Burton’s future.”

Jones Lang LaSalle acted as planning consultants and are jointly retained with Rushton Hickman on the commercial elements of the scheme. Savills will advise on the residential land.

Nurton Developments (Quintus) Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture between Nurton Developments and Wittington Investments (Developments) Ltd.