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Paul Smith, managing director at Strategic Land Group, sheds light on the Duchy of Cornwall's ambitious proposal for a new 2,500-home Poundbury-style scheme in Faversham, Kent. In light of the government's emphasis on creating beautiful and enduring places, Smith argues that greater competition, rather than regulation, holds the key to improving housing design. With beauty featuring prominently in the National Planning Policy Framework and the establishment of an Office for Place dedicated to crafting aesthetically pleasing environments, the government aims to garner support for new developments by emphasising quality design. Drawing parallels with Poundbury's success as a model community developed under a comprehensive design code, the South East Faversham project seeks to replicate this approach. Extensive consultations and meticulous planning, including a detailed Housing Manual and masterplan by Ben Pentreath, underscore the commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being. Despite these efforts, local opposition persists, reflecting broader scepticism towards new developments even when designed with care. Smith highlights research showing that only a small fraction of the population is swayed by improved design in housing projects. While regulation plays a role in setting quality standards, Smith contends that increasing land availability is the real catalyst for fostering competition among developers. By offering consumers a choice among various developments, market dynamics will incentivise higher design standards, akin to the competitive drive behind innovative consumer products like the iPhone. In Smith's view, prioritising increased housing supply over stringent design regulations will ultimately lead to more aesthetically pleasing developments. Competition, he argues, is the true engine of progress in the housing sector. #housing #architecture #designguides #buildingbeautiful THE STRATEGIC LAND GROUP LIMITED https://lnkd.in/e-6Bw_6T

Quite rare to get a city centre purchase opportunity like this. Loads of asset management angles and in an area which is undergoing massive redevlopment. #commercialproperty #commercialinvestment #propertyinvestment

Property and construction news…..   Telford in Shropshire has been named as one of the most affordable places to rent in England. The list of eight places was compiled by property website iLiveHere. It was the only place in the Midlands to make the list.   Two tall accommodation blocks of seven and fifteen storeys could be built at 52 Gas Street creating 161 apartments. Should the plans be approved the buildings would feature cycle parking, a cinema, co-working space, a lounge and a rooftop terrace. The scheme is called Gather and Soul.   The £4.5m refurbishment at Centre City located on Hill Street/Smallbrook Queensway, has started. The building will include a new café, co-working space, contemplation space and lounge. The building work is expected to be completed by the New Year. Tenants include Citizens Advice, Hitachi, and The Ministry of Justice.   The Prologis Park at Ryton in Coventry is now at full capacity with Furnolic (which trades as Songmics) agreeing a deal on the final unit. The international e-commerce business has signed a ten-year lease. DHL and Jaguar Land Rover are also on the Park.   According to Zoopla, property values are likely to rise more slowly than incomes over the next couple of years. The company said the average house cost is c.£264k but according to its calculations, the affordable price is c.£245k making the average house c.£19k over-valued.   #property #construction #offices #housing

Cardiff's skyline is changing at a rapid pace as we strive to deliver the cities ambitious infrastructure pipeline, at the same time increasing our global offer to attract more talent and skills to the region. So often I speak to visitors who have not visited the city for almost 10yrs and they are amazed by its transformation to date. From the ashes we are seeing the rise of Central Quay, final delivery of the last plot at Central Square in the pipeline, The Copper Works, Anchor Works, Harlech Court developers recently announcing the potential of Wales' tallest tower on Bute Terrace, to name but a few of the key projects currently underway in the Welsh Capital. Now we see a very new type of offer - Co-Living. This 'First of a kind' in Wales, co-living residential scheme was recently announced for Knox Road at the site of the old Legal & General offices. Since the rise of flexible/hybrid working post Covid, cities are working hard to attract people back to their highstreets and offices, this gap is very much being filled by the creation of new residential opportunities combined with high quality leisure and hospitality offer, that breathes life after the traditional working day is done. Affordable and social housing is also key to delivering a successful city and hence Cardiff Council has set out a pipeline of almost £1bn of such development to underpin this ever increasing demand. #Investincardiff#regeneration#transformation#Cardiffcapitalregion#Talent #skills

Salford City Council and Onward Homes agree a deal to build 100 new homes 🤩 As someone with a background in facilities management, I’ve seen a lot of housing projects, but this one really stands out. In order to combat the housing crisis in Salford, Onward Homes and Salford Council have joined forces to create sustainable, community-focused spaces that people will be proud to call home. It’s a modern, forward-thinking approach that ticks all the right boxes. In today’s world, energy-efficient designs aren’t just a bonus, they’re a necessity. This development is not just looking at the here and now; it is considering accessibility, convenience, and how these homes will fit into the broader community. What’s also fantastic is how this project is set to rejuvenate the local area. Turning underutilised spaces into vibrant residential communities that can be used by all. They're not just building houses – they’re building communities. I’m genuinely excited to see the positive impact this will have. #housing #manchester #council #affordablehousing

Green light for £11m office-to-flats conversion in Dorchester 🟢🏢 Phased development of south Dorset’s first open-market build-to-rent residential scheme is set to progress after permitted development rights were confirmed. RTI ESTATES LTD will add another phase in the conversion of offices at Vespasian House into 37 apartments for up to 144 people, adding £11 million to the project. The company – part of Dorchester property firm Redtale Holdings Ltd – will deliver a mixture of one-, two- and three-bed flats, including penthouse apartments, in what is currently the loft. It’s received notification from Dorset Council UK of its right to convert the entire building and loft of Vespasian House under permitted development rights, where the change of use is already acceptable in principle. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/ew2pVDfV #property #commercialproperty #conversion #refurbishment #office #housing #dorsetnews #dorsethour #businessnews #businessintelligence

Construction works to transform the Broad Walk area of #Harlow Town Centre will begin this month. After months of planning and the completion of detailed designs, project contractors, Conamar, have set up a construction compound in Market Square with invasive site investigations having recently taken place. The multi-million-pound regeneration of Broad Walk will create high-quality, welcoming spaces, including: · Complete repaving of Broad Walk, Cross Street and East Walk · Brand new LED lighting and CCTV provision · Street furniture · Introduction of much needed green, landscaped spaces to complement and continue existing landscaping within The Water Gardens. The scheme is funded through the Government’s Town Deals programme, forming part of Harlow’s Towns Fund programme. This phase marks a milestone in transforming Harlow Town Centre and supports the council’s aspirations to provide a high-quality and safe retail, leisure and residential destination at the heart of Harlow & Gilston Garden Town (HGGT). Construction work will begin at the end of September, starting with Cross Street. The scheme will be delivered in phases working at The Water Gardens end of Broad Walk first, working north, finishing at Market Square. The scheme will take 12 – 18 months and businesses will be operating as usual, with pedestrian access always maintained during opening hours. Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council and Chair of HGGT’s Joint Committee, said: “This scheme will see the transformation of Broad Walk as the council gets ready to start another phase of rebuilding our town centre. “Important outdoor areas of the Town Centre will be transformed with green landscaping, new pavements and new street furniture to create a safer, brighter, more welcoming place for shoppers, visitors and potential investors. “This is all about putting the heart back into Harlow’s Town Centre and it’s just one part of the that we are rebuilding. “Work to transform the bus station and Terminus Street is well underway, plus work starts early next year on the new Arts and Cultural Quarter and plans will shortly be confirmed for the redevelopment of Market Square.” #regeneration #buses #towncentre #development #community #greeninfrastructure #environment #arts #retail #shopping #leisure #government #publicsector #construction #housing #essex #hertfordshire #eastherts #epping

Surrey Whalley Vs Langley Willoughby New Construction Apartment August Median Price Per Square Foot Analysis (2022–2024): Whalley vs. Willoughby Heights Here’s a look at the median price per square foot trends over the past three years for Whalley and Willoughby Heights : 2022: Whalley: $1,001 PSF Willoughby Heights: $736 PSF 2023: Whalley: $1,077 PSF (+7.6%) Willoughby Heights: $780 PSF (+6.0%) 2024: Whalley: $900 PSF (-16.4%) Willoughby Heights: $837 PSF (+7.3%) Key Insights: Whalley had a sharp rise in 2023, but prices declined in 2024. Willoughby Heights saw consistent, gradual growth over all three years. Takeaway: While Whalley experienced a surge in 2023 followed by a decline in 2024, Willoughby Heights has shown steady appreciation year over year. Which area would you consider?

A fully integrated Ellison Construction and Ellison Development project breaks ground!

Less parking more housing? The Labour Government have set a target of 1.5 million new homes in five years. That will require building 50% more than the previous government over the same period. Big ask. #NewZero pledges demand the right housing....in the right places #densification. Might plans for Midway car park in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire offer a template for one of the radical new delivery approaches our housing challenges demand? . Developer Capital&Centric are seeking to turn this 1960s-designed car park into a "contemporary urban neighbourhood" with 100 one, two and three-bed apartments plus social hub with a gym and 'mini-cinema'. It is part of three sites being floated with the borough council for redevelopment to "re-boot" town centre spaces using £35m of government Future High Street funding. Towns and cities across the UK have old, end of life MSCPs in their centres. Would be interesting to hear from expert architects and structural engineers if this conversion concept could be applied more widely to end-of-life parking structures, or is it a pipe dream? Stripe Consulting, Polly Church, Fatkin, Russell Simmons, Chris Whapples #transport and #housing