Region: South East
Linmere is designed to be a place for communities that embraces the natural environment, and where all generations can enjoy a great quality of life. This exciting new collection of leafy and walkable neighbourhoods, situated north of Houghton Regis and nestled into verdant surroundings, will have its first homes completed and ready to move in, in 2021. The Land Trust will maintain and preserve these spaces on behalf of Houghton Regis Management Company.
Public Art The Public Art Strategy aims to embed public art and reinforce neighbourhood identity into the future, and to celebrate the new places which are being built and created. It aspires to help achieve community cohesion and engagement, and provide opportunities for amenity and environmental enhancements. This will include the development and placement of artworks which respond to community needs and aspirations, to local character and identity, and to the landscape. It will involve the local community, mainly through working proactively with local schools, youth groups and other community groups.
Linmere will comprise a variety of public open spaces including playing fields, allotments and children’s place space.
The cost of the management, maintenance and repairs of the open spaces will be paid for by the homeowners at Linmere through an annual estate charge, which will include annual running costs and longer-term provisions.
All homeowners at Linmere are legally obliged to contribute to this estate charge, which will be split amongst all homeowners.
The annual estate charge will be reviewed to reflect the needs and requirements of the residents and the site.
The Land Trust’s work at Linmere will focus on:
• Enhancing the natural environment and allowing nature and biodiversity to thrive.
• Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of our communities
• Bringing communities together through various events and activities that encourage people to use the green spaces at Linmere
• Providing spaces for educational activities, taking learning out of the classroom
• Supporting economic prosperity in the communities around our sites and protecting, and often enhancing, the investment homeowners make in their new property.
(click here to find the nearest public toilets)
At the heart of Linmere will be The Farmstead, a lively destination to meet, work, shop, and play for both residents and visitors alike. Catch up over coffee and a bite at the artisan café (grab a table outside on a warm summer’s day), sign up for a yoga class, hold a party in the community hall or book a meeting room. This go-to hub will be a focal point for walkers, cyclists and families dropping in after school – as well as those venturing from footpaths further afield. A nature-inspired children’s adventure playground wrapping around the café provides a safe place for young children to develop their physical literacy skills through play, creating a foundation for active and healthy lifestyles. At the heart of the scheme is an enclosed courtyard designed to host a rich and diverse range of events from weekly markets to annual events – a place to gather, support local craft businesses and celebrate.
With one third of Linmere dedicated to green space, and surrounding wetlands and wooded areas, you’re never more than a 5-minute walk away from nature. Living at Linmere will enable and encourage residents to live an active lifestyle. Residents can follow green networks from their doorstep through the town using safe footpaths and bridleways leading to the rolling countryside, nature reserves, country pubs and neighbouring villages. Residents can trail Linmere Loops from The Farmstead, linking up with local Greenways and the Chiltern Way, or explore further afield in the surrounding villages, open countryside, or Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through a series of safe and easily navigable pathways and trails. Linmere is further designed to be pedal-friendly, with cycle routes weaving through neighbourhoods, linking living, working and leisure areas, as well as tying in to the Houghton Brook corridor and nearby National Cycle Network Route.
Well controlled dogs are welcome.
At the heart of Linmere will be The Farmstead, a lively destination to meet, work, shop, and play for both residents and visitors alike.
In early summer, the lime tree’s fragrant flowers, rich in nectar, attract bees and ladybirds while long-lived trees also provide welcome nesting holes for birds.
The Chalgrave Heritage Trail, Dunstable Downs, Wardown House, Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, Whipsnade Safari Park, Woburn stately home, The Greensand Ridge Walk, Houghton House, Bletchley Park, Shuttleworth Collection and Estate, Knebworth.
Chalton Cross , Farm Sundon Road , Houghton Regis, Luton, LU4 9TX
The name ‘Linmere’ comes from ‘Linmear’, which appears on a 1762 map of the area and means ‘field of lime trees’. It is a native British species which occur naturally in Houghton Regis.
The Common Lime, or Linden Tree towers up to 40m. Lime has a striking look and is often used for instruments such as pianos and organs, and even Morris-dancing sticks; in the 17th – 18th centuries, lime wood was intricately carved for commissions at Chatsworth, Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court.
The Farmstead, which will further preserve a link with the heritage of Houghton Regis, recreates the vernacular of the historic Houghton Regis Tithe Barns; with three barnlike structures positioned around a
central courtyard.
The Land Trust’s management of Linmere will be overseen by one of our dedicated Estates Manager, who will have overall responsibility for the success of the site. They will supervise the local contractor appointed and will undertake regular site inspections and meet with residents as necessary.
The Land Trust will also have a Community Engagement Officer based at Linmere who will have responsibility for delivering a programme of activity that creates significant economic and social value and brings the new community together.
The Land Trust’s service provides:
• Organise routine maintenance such as grass cutting, weeding, litter picking, emptying of litter and dog waste bins etc
• Establishment of a fund to replace expensive items such as play equipment at periodic intervals so that you don’t face big bills when these items need to be renewed
• Shrub, plant and tree maintenance and replacement; hedge trimming and laying
• Adding value to the open space by working with the residents and the wider community to provide social, economic and environmental benefits that will ensure Linmere is a great place to live and work
• Annual reports and regular site inspections covering all aspects of health and safety
• Administration services such as maintaining insurances for the open space, billing and accounting for the estate charge and site
management.
• Responding to calls and emails from residents. Private social media groups will also be set up and monitored by the Land Trust team for residents to
raise any queries. We will also survey customers annually to measure satisfaction levels and identify any areas for improvement.
To contact the Land Trust about this site or how we could help manage your space please click here .
To enquire about holding an event on a Land Trust site, please click here.
We are always on the look out for enthusiastic, committed people who want to make a real and lasting difference in their local community.
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