Bovis Homes to start work on key part of Milton Keynes growth area in 2007.

Housebuilder Bovis Homes has received the go ahead for one of the largest mixed use development schemes in the UK, Stanton Cross in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

The 837 acre (339 ha) scheme, which is an integral part of the Milton Keynes growth area, will bring approximately 3,100 new homes and 169 acres of commercial space to the town, integrated with parkland areas and new infrastructure and is planned as a sustainable urban community.

The Borough Council of Wellingborough resolved to grant outline consent for the plans at its meeting yesterday evening, subject to completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Bovis Homes expects to start work on the new infrastructure following full planning consent and development of some of the commercial elements could begin shortly thereafter.

A start on site for the first new homes could begin in 2007.

Stanton Cross will also become one of the first schemes to be in a position to deliver substantial new housing in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) growth area, which has been designated to deliver 133,000 new homes between now and 2016.

Malcolm Harris, Chief Executive of Bovis Homes Group PLC, said: 'Stanton Cross is one of the UK's largest mixed use schemes, bringing 3,100 new homes and 7,000 new jobs to Wellingborough over the course of development. Stanton Cross will be one of the first new schemes to deliver significant new housing within the MKSM growth area.