A new neighbourhood being created by the largest development project to take place in Lincoln for decades will be called Charterholme, it was revealed today.
Previously referred to as the Western Growth Corridor, Charterholme has been more than 100 years in the making and will evolve over the next 25 years to create 3,200 homes, shops, a business park, leisure village, community services and improved transport infrastructure.
The unveiling of the community’s official identity is a significant milestone for the scheme, which is being brought forward by City of Lincoln Council in partnership with city-based regional construction business Lindum Group.
The name combines ‘Charter’, meaning the granting of authority or rights, and ‘holme’, an old English word for land as utilised in the neighbouring Hartsholme Park and Swanholme Lakes.
It is also a nod to The Charter of the Forest, an incredibly important medieval document that gave ordinary people the right to forage for food and graze animals on areas of land designated as royal forest, therefore offering some protection against economic hardship.
Lincoln Cathedral owns one of only two surviving copies of the 1217 Charter, which is on display at Lincoln Castle along with the Lincoln copy of Magna Carta from 1215.
Construction of Charterholme is already underway, with a new signalised traffic junction at Skellingthorpe Road and Birchwood Avenue and a new access road into the site now complete.
Planning permission has been granted for the first phase of 52 homes at the Skellingthorpe Road end of the site, with construction due to start this year.
Civil engineering company GRAHAM has been appointed by City of Lincoln Council as the main contractor to design and build the eastern access over the railway for vehicles, cycles and pedestrians, linking Charterholme to Tritton Road.
Cllr Naomi Tweddle, City of Lincoln Council Leader, said:
“We’re delighted to launch Charterholme, and start a new chapter for this exciting project within the city.
“Working with partners to bring our vision for this area of the city to life has been incredibly rewarding.
“Charterholme will be somewhere our communities can thrive and have a real sense of belonging, and its creation is a key priority for the council. The Charterholme name will help provide a strong sense of place for all those who choose to live there.
“I would like to thank all those involved with the project for helping us get to this point, the hard work and collaboration from City of Lincoln Council and Lindum has been a great success, and we can’t wait to see the development grow and evolve.”
Lindum Group Director, Mark Burnett, said:
“The renaming of the Western Growth Corridor to Charterholme reflects our vision of a new, dynamic community that will offer residents a high quality of life and attract businesses to the region.
“In essence, Charterholme reflects our ambition of blending modern living with green spaces, making it a desirable location for families, professionals, and businesses.
“We are excited to bring this ambitious project to life and look forward to seeing Charterholme thrive as a key part of Lincoln’s future.”
Economic benefits of the Charterholme project include more than £500m investment for the city, hundreds of new local jobs, and opportunities for first-time buyers.
The provision of new walking, cycling and bus routes as realistic travel options into the city centre aims to reduce car dependency. Housing will be equipped with sustainable features like air source heat pumps and EV chargers.
New built green spaces are designed to enhance wildlife and biodiversity, as well as offer an attractive environment for outdoor activities such as cycling, walking the dog and waterside strolls.
City of Lincoln Council and Lindum have worked with Lincoln-based Optima Graphic Design Consultants to develop the Charterholme branding so it reflects the ambitions of the scheme.
For more information on Charterholme and updates on its progress, please visit: www.charterholme.co.uk.