The ambitious transformation of the Locking Parklands development is set to breathe new life into the former RAF base, converting it into a lively village complete with a much-anticipated high street and hundreds of new homes. Recently, I had the privilege of discussing these transformative changes with Sarah Mitchell, a long-time resident of Weston-super-Mare and a community liaison officer for the Locking Parklands project. Her insights shed light on the profound impact this development will have on the local area and its residents.
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Sarah welcomed me with a warm smile and an infectious enthusiasm for the project. “It’s been a long time coming,” she began, “and we’re all very excited to finally see the plans for the high street moving forward.” The Locking Parklands development has been a focal point of community interest for years, with the transformation of RAF Locking into a contemporary village representing a significant endeavour. Currently, the site is a patchwork of housing developments and a solitary GP surgery, creating a somewhat surreal and fragmented impression. However, all of this is poised for a dramatic change.
“The vision for the high street is to create a vibrant, viable, and active mixed-use area,” Sarah elucidated. “It’s not just about housing; it’s about building a community.” The newly submitted planning application proposes over 200 homes and marks the commencement of the high street’s development. Situated along Apprentice Way, this high street will feature commercial spaces on the ground floor, with two to three storeys of flats above. The plans include 106 one and two-bedroom flats above the shops and an additional 123 family homes, ranging from one to four bedrooms.
“It’s a comprehensive mixed-use scheme,” Sarah elaborated, “We’re talking about retail units, educational facilities, and residential areas all blending seamlessly. It’s designed to meet the needs of everyone who lives here.” She guided me through the master plan, highlighting key areas slated for transformation. “Right now, Apprentice Way is just this wide boulevard with schools on either end and nothing much in between,” she said. “But soon, it will be lined with landmark buildings, each designed with commercial uses on the ground floor and flats above. This will be the heart of our community.”
A detailed statement accompanying the application from Countryside Partnerships and Homes England underscores the excitement and importance of this development phase. “Overall, these proposals are an extremely exciting and critical next phase of development for Locking Parklands and the growing community on this site and across the wider Parklands Village,” it reads. Sarah noted that construction is anticipated to begin as soon as the reserved matters application is approved, with an expected start date in early 2025. “We’re on the brink of something really special here,” she mused.
The development aims to create not just homes, but a sustainable and environmentally-led setting. “We’re focusing on green spaces and an eco-friendly environment,” Sarah emphasised. “Between Apprentice Way and Flowerdown, you’ll see family homes integrated within a thoughtfully designed landscape.” A key element of the project is its community-centric approach. “The high street will serve as a central gathering place,” Sarah explained. “It’s where people will shop, meet for coffee, and participate in community events. It’s about bringing people together.”
Sarah’s palpable excitement about the future of Locking Parklands was contagious. “This isn’t just a development,” she expressed. “It’s a new beginning for the area. It’s about preserving the history of the RAF base while creating a future that’s full of potential.” As our conversation drew to a close, I found myself sharing in her enthusiasm. The transformation of RAF Locking into a vibrant village with a bustling high street is indeed a long-awaited development. The plans are ambitious, but they promise to deliver a community that seamlessly integrates residential, retail, and educational spaces.
For the residents of Weston-super-Mare and the future inhabitants of Locking Parklands, this development heralds the start of a new chapter. The fragmented landscape of today will give way to a cohesive and vibrant community. As Sarah aptly put it, “We’re not just building homes; we’re building a community. And that’s something truly special.”
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