Work on Lister Petter site enters first phase (From Gazette Series)

Work on Lister Petter site enters first phase

THE first stage of work on a multi-million-pound redevelopment project in Dursley will start next month, following planning approval by Stroud District Council.

The South West Regional Development Agency (SWDRA) announced this week that it and developers St Modwen would move in on the 92-acre former Lister Petter plant at the bottom of Long Street in November.

The first phase of work will be the treatment of contaminated foundry sand within the tip at the northern end of the site.

The start of work on the site, which will be known as Littlecombe once completed, marks a significant point in realising plans to create a sustainable urban community in the town.

The plans for work to start were only submitted to the council after investigation by environmental experts.

SWRDA's head of operations Ian Knight said: "The information provided by environmental surveys has been central in guiding a design and layout for the development in a way that would improve and maximise the benefits to the natural environment."

The Littlecombe development is, says SWRDA, part of its commitment to improve the economy and deliver both social and environmental benefits to the local community.

The site, which was bought by the agency in 2000, will eventually be transformed into 600 new homes along with community facilities and business units.

The schedule for work will see development of employment premises begin in the middle of next year, while housing land will be developed from 2006 through to 2011.

Rupert Joseland, regional manager for St Modwen's South West office, said: "We anticipate that the treatment works will commence in November and will last for a period of six months.

"Thereafter we will be starting the construction of the new industrial units to be built for the existing on-site occupiers.

"Our consultants have prepared a leaflet to be dropped locally confirming details of the treatment works and the measures to be put in place to minimise any disturbance."

Once the contaminated foundry sand has been cleaned it will be used to form a heathland featuring native plants to meet planning requirements of "sympathetic landscaping".