This weekend the Anderson Group held some exhibitions on their next plans for the lakes. Originally, the sections of land next to the lakes was earmarked for space-intensive commercial development, but they’re now considering housing on the site as an alternative.

Over the past couple of years, Anderson have been trying to sell warehouse space on the scrubland next to the lakes to help fund the development of the lakes as a public amenity. However, they have received no interest from anyone who wants to use a warehouse or other large commercial/industrial building in the area.

So now, Anderson are looking at building new housing on the site instead. There’s space for around 400-450 houses/flats, including around 40% affordable housing. Selling the houses would then provide funding to develop the lakes area and a neighbouring piece of land as a public park. Fees from car parking and from special-interest groups to use the site would then fund the ongoing maintenance of the area once it is open.

The issue is that the site has been designated as an area for commercial development in the Local Plan; changing this to new housing would require negotation with the City Council. However, if Anderson do decide to go ahead with this new proposal, and everyone is in agreement, planning applications could be submitted later this year, with building work starting next year. The housing, lakes and park would be developed in parallel with each other; the Council is likely to impose constraints on any planning application to ensure this happened.

The information that was in the exhibition is available on their website, including maps and some background information.

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