WANTAGE'S new 1,500-home development at Kingsgrove has moved onto its next phase.

St. Modwen and the Crabhill Partnership have sold land to CALA Homes, as planned, enabling phase 2a of the 227-acre scheme to begin.

CALA acquired the 9.7 acre site and will be developing 174 homes during the phase, at Fuller’s Meadow, which is located south of the new community hub with the new primary school and neighbourhood centre.

Work is expected to begin next year, with CALA likely to submit a detailed reserved matters application shortly.

The first two phases, totalling some 150 homes, are being developed by St. Modwen’s, with the first occupiers expected shortly.

Rob Draper, Development Director at St. Modwen, said: "We are pleased that another quality housebuilder has joined this significant project. We are looking forward to working with CALA as we progress the delivery of new homes and important community facilities.”

Bernie Vent, Senior Land Manager at CALA, added: “We are delighted to be involved in the new development. This high-quality landscape led scheme presented an excellent opportunity to work with St Modwen, and it is clear that our aspirations for design and place-making are well aligned.