A 9ft Hollywood inspired landmark sign marks the start of construction on Leicestershire’s first garden village.

Broadnook Garden Village, situated on the cusp of the National Forest of Charnwood, aims to encapsulate the best elements from surrounding Charnwood villages into one purpose built community.

Hollywood-style 9ft lettering made from corten steel.

More than 50% of the village will be devoted to green spaces, says Luke Simmons, managing director of Cora Homes, one of the development companies on board with the project.

Designs include tree lined walks, akin to Leicester’s New Walk. As well as parks, allotments, wildflower meadows, play areas, landscaped garden spaces and sport pitches.

Iain Pickering, design director at Davidsons Homes and the designer behind the reinvention of the village concept, adds: “We are creating Broadnook Garden Village without losing sight of how we all want to live: as part of a thriving community that feels modern and connected, yet firmly rooted in the beautiful nature that we are lucky enough to enjoy in Charnwood.

Plans for the village also include a community primary school, retail shops, care facilities and a new GP practice.

It is hoped the new amenities will minimise the need for unnecessary car use within the Broadnook village, with designated areas being marked as no-care zones.

The project is being backed by an investment of £32.6m- of which over £17m is being invested into local schools and creating more than 1900 homes of mixed occupancy.

For more information, visit Broadnook.co.uk