Corker Bottoms

The land was acquired speculatively at auction in 2019. The site was unallocated in the Local Plan and presented a challenging brownfield opportunity, having been derelict for more than a decade. Almost half of the site was also located outside the housing settlement boundary.

A rapid pre-auction desktop appraisal identified an opportunity for redevelopment. The site is located in the Manor area of Sheffield, adjoining the Trans Pennine Trail and with excellent transport links via the nearby Sheffield Parkway. It sits within an established residential area, well served by local parks and green corridors, and presented an opportunity to provide family housing for sale or rent.

As one of the first sites identified for a new housebuilding operation, the development needed to support a high rate of sales absorption and appeal to first and second-time buyers as well as downsizers.

To achieve competitive sales values, a small portfolio of house types was devised. Although there was interest from the planning authority in modern methods of construction, a traditional approach was adopted to maximise the appeal of the homes to occupiers and mortgage providers. Efficient design and buildability dictated traditional family homes constructed in brick and block beneath tiled roofs, with gardens to the front and rear and off-street parking.

The site was cleared and graded to approximate development levels.

The planning application presented an unusually challenging proposition for a smaller site, as none of the land was allocated for housing and almost half was outside the settlement boundary.

A dual application strategy secured both a detailed planning consent and an outline consent with all matters reserved. This represented a significant planning outcome, establishing the principle of residential development on unallocated land while retaining flexibility over the subsequent detailed design and density.

A key achievement across both planning applications was securing consent without a Section 106 agreement or affordable housing requirement, significantly enhancing the project’s viability.

The design also retained specimen trees, including a high-quality mature oak, and incorporated a new ‘secret meadow’ for residents.