Cherry Tree / Valley View Court

This freehold former social club set in 1.3 acres had been marketed unsuccessfully some years prior but after revisiting archived files and after direct discussions with the landowner it was clear that a deal could be negotiated. Despite the brownfield site being unallocated for housing, it was quickly acquired by unconditional purchase with private funding. A key factor underpinning the at-risk acquisition was the local authority's increasing shortfall in five-year housing land supply.

The initial intention was to develop the site for private entry level homes but it quickly became obvious that the local housing market was stronger than expected. Architects were engaged and the usual site surveys together with technical, engineering and environmental investigations were undertaken. Specifications were prepared and a tender for site clearance was issued. 

With the local market improving, an outline planning application with the bare minimum of technical data was submitted. The final high-density layout maximised land utilisation options for any subsequent full planning application with maximum flexibility over layout, house types, design and material choices. The Local Planning Authority was resistant to this course and pushed for a more modest indicative layout but the maximalist approach was maintained. To secure approval, the negotiated description of the proposal shifted from a fixed number of units to a more flexible residential development framework that adhered to the upper end of the LPA’s Core Strategy density targets of 40-60 dwellings per hectare rather than the indicative site layout. Other site benefits such as transport and tram links were leveraged to demonstrate the sustainable location and design of the proposal. 

The Highways Department agreed to the final road entrance layout which eliminated any need for later Section 278 negotiation. A sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) scheme was incorporated in the design to eliminate drainage issues.

Once the satisfactory planning consent had been secured the site was cleared of the demolished social club, contamination, roads, car parks and green material when the bird nesting season had ended. The land was then graded to levels for construction and the site secured.

Following a discreet marketing programme a number of offers were received including from registered providers, the local authority and private developers. Protracted negotiations with an RP stalled due to their own internal reasons unrelated to the project so a sale was concluded with a regional housebuilder.