Landowners Buckminster Trust Estate and Norwich Hub have applied for planning permission to build on Poplar Farm, between Barrowby and Great Gonerby.

Stuart Bizley of Norwich Hub said: "We are obviously concerned about the current state of the housing market but this is a large scheme that will take many years to develop and we can take a medium and long term view.

"I am confident that Grantham will get a new scheme that we will all be proud of."

The landowners have been working with South Kesteven District Council planners and carried out a public consultation on the plans.

Poplar Farm was identified for development by SKDC as part of its bid to secure 'Growth Point' status for Grantham.

The council has secured funding of £5 million to use on projects aimed at increasing the population of the town from 38,000 to 60,000 by 2026.

Land at Poplar Farm has been allocated for residential development since the early 1990s and the development will form the third phase of the original Pennine Way and Balmoral Drive scheme built by David Wilson Homes.

As well as 1,800 new homes, proposals for the 170-acre site include a new primary school, a local centre including shops and a doctors' surgery, playing fields and a new road bridge over the railway to complete the Pennine Way link road.

Allotments in Barrowby Road will also be extended as part of the plans.

Mr Bizley said: "Whilst the planning application is only at an outline stage we have done a lot of work to ensure that our proposals are clear. We will provide a sustainable new scheme that will be an asset to the town.

"We have been keen to ensure that the new homes will be an integral part of Grantham and that new residents will have easy access to the existing and proposed facilities of the town centre by foot, bicycle and bus as well as by car."

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