THE private sector development partner who will deliver 3,500 new homes in Basingstoke has been announced.

Urban&Civic, partnered with the Wellcome Trust, have been selected to deliver Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council’s ambitious plans for the northern part of the Manydown development.

Following the selection of the successful bidder, work will now move forward to finalising contracts with Urban&Civic to join the councils in a joint venture partnership to deliver the exciting vision for Manydown, embracing Garden Town principles.

Cabinet member for Manydown at the borough council, John Izett said: “I am delighted to welcome Urban&Civic as our selected partner, working with the Wellcome Trust, after a rigorous, demanding competitive tender.

“They share our ambitions for Manydown and I am confident they will contribute hugely to meeting the challenges ahead to create Manydown as a great place to live, which is so important to the borough and our residents.

“Urban&Civic's record of working with and listening to local communities and bringing forward early delivery of infrastructure and amenities is especially positive. We look forward to building a strong and productive relationship with our new partner. The two councils will remain actively involved, working with Urban&Civic and the Wellcome Trust for years to come.”

Urban&Civic, as the UK's leading master developer, has over 25 years' experience of turning strategic sites into vibrant new communities. The firm recognises the importance of delivering quality and placemaking from the outset with early investment in infrastructure and amenities that make a difference, such as community facilities, bicycle lanes, roads, parks and schools.

The Wellcome Trust is an independent global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health, whose investment portfolio provides the income for its funding.

Chief Executive of Urban&Civic plc Nigel Hugill said: “Manydown will reinforce Basingstoke by building on existing strengths. Our selection against really tough competition demonstrates the increasing scalability of the master developer approach in meeting housing numbers on strategic projects across South East England."

An outline planning application for the northern part of Manydown was submitted by the two councils in March 2017, following extensive public involvement in drawing up a masterplan, and is now under consideration. This sets out the main principles for developing a thriving new community of up to 3,500 new homes, businesses, shops and community facilities, two new primary schools and land for a new secondary school, and a 250 acre country park.