YMD Boon’s Post

Garden Town Director, Naisha Polaine, has welcomed the news that both Harlow Council and Epping Forest District Council have adopted cross-boundary master planning guidance for over 3000 homes in East of #Harlow. One of four neighbourhoods proposed for the Garden Town, East of Harlow will feature 2600 homes on Harlow Council land and 750 across Epping Forest in addition to a 14ha health and wellbeing campus plus supporting infrastructure. The adoption of the East of Harlow Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), led by the Tanusha Waters (née Naidoo) team at Harlow Council, gives it material planning consideration status, meaning future site developers will have to follow the guidance around placemaking and building quality homes in order to secure planning permission. “We’re delighted that the East of Harlow SPD has been approved by our council partners as it embeds our vision of well-designed homes and creating a brand new sustainable community that will give the residents there a great quality of life in the future,” commented Naisha. “The East of Harlow SPD is a huge piece of work for the Garden Town project because it negates future risks like a piecemeal development that isn't held together by a cohesive masterplan or designs that don’t tie in with our wider principles around quality placemaking.” With local residents and stakeholder groups inputting into the SPD last year, East of Harlow is set to incorporate a wide range of community facilities, including nursery/pre-school facilities plus two new primary schools and a secondary school alongside the 3350 homes. “We realise that new communities like East of Harlow can make people feel nervous because it brings a level of uncertainty and change and that’s something we recognise,” said Naisha. “But there’s so much to be excited about around East of Harlow and the other Garden Town communities proposed for Gilston, Water Lane and Latton Priory. “The SPD has allowed us to prioritise the things that people are passionate about like safeguarding landscape features and the importance of green wedges, part of Harlow’s existing character, and a key Sustainable Transport Corridor to improve accessibility to cycling, walking and bus services.”   The East of Harlow Supplementary Planning Document can be viewed via the link below. https://lnkd.in/eUQMtq2C #planning #infrastructure #environment #transport #sustainable #community #schools #education #masterplan

We excited to announce planning approval for 135 new, energy efficient, affordable houses and apartments on the nine-acre former Skerton High School site on the Mainway estate in Lancaster. Along with the new homes, the scheme will see the creation of a large central community square providing local residents with a much needed place to meet, relax and socialise. The development work will also see the reclamation of two football pitches complete with changing facilities for players and officials. Extensive planting and landscaping measures across the development will bring added biodiversity to the estate. In the Council’s recent announcement, Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council and cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “It's wonderful to have the planning permission through for the Skerton site. This development is a huge step forward in our regeneration efforts for Mainway and I am thrilled that these exciting proposals have been approved. It’s not just about building new homes, but about creating a vibrant community space that people can be proud of, and it will make a real difference to local families and the wider Lancaster community.” Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eeFYhu4Q #placecapitalgroup #lancastercitycouncil #newhomes #placeshaping #estaterenewal #regenration #socialhousing #affordablehomes

Who will look after the concrete cows? For me that is one of the key issues emerging from the push to build 1.5million new homes articulated in the King's Speech. If the intention is to create homes and not just houses, new development on the scales indicated, needs to be made attractive and appealing by including public spaces, parks, active travel routes, community centres and art venues. Such provision is not only about creating such facilities but establishing viable ways to manage them in the long-term. The MILTON KEYNES PARKS TRUST LIMITED is a great example of an organisation set-up to look after concrete cows amongst key community assets and infrastructure. It's one of the case studies cited in comprehensive guidance on creating New Town and Garden Cities provided by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). The Milton Keynes Park Trust is a legacy of the City's Development Corporation that was given 1,850 hectares of high-quality parkland and greenspace to look after. Returns from its £20million property endowment help the Trust employ 100 staff to undertake essential maintenance, organise 500 outdoor events each year and run an environmental education programme. All of which adds greatly to the appeal and attractiveness of Milton Keynes as a place to live. Another example is the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation that People & Places have been working with as part of planning for recovery and revitalisation in Letchworth.  Their assets include 185,567 sq ft of offices; 181 industrial units; more than 100 shops; a 20km ‘Greenway’ and over 900ha of farmland. Read more about good practice in the finacially viable stewardship of community assets using the link to The People & Places Partnership Ltd. blog in the comments below. #kingsspeech #newtowns #gardencities #communityenterprise #miltonkeynes #communityassets #infrastructure #housing

Progress for Jubilee Gardens, Warminster 🌳🏡 Persimmon Wessex has submitted plans for key infrastructure at the Jubilee Gardens site in #Warminster, marking a major step toward creating a sustainable, vibrant community. The proposals, now with Wiltshire Council for approval, include: ✅ Two sports areas with football pitches and changing facilities ✅ Allotments and public open spaces ✅ A dedicated ecology area to enhance biodiversity This follows the approval of 168 new homes earlier this year, alongside critical infrastructure like a spine road, cycle links, and floating wetland areas. Jubilee Gardens represents a significant investment in the Warminster community, with plans for: 🏫 A new primary school 🚲 Improved pedestrian and cycle routes 🌿 Equipped children’s play areas and public art 🚍 Contributions to education, healthcare, and local bus services We’re proud to work towards building not just homes, but a thriving community that blends quality living with environmental and social benefits. #PersimmonHomes

It should be a nice development of the Inlet District in Port Moody.

🌟 Successful Presentation at Hutton Cranswick Parish Council 🌟 Last night, we had the pleasure of presenting our proposed Passive House Development for Hutton Cranswick to the Parish Council. The session was incredibly engaging, with thoughtful questions and constructive feedback from the attendees. Key topics of discussion included: ▪️ Affordable Housing: Addressing the need for accessible, sustainable homes for all. ▪️ Housing for New Families: The potential to meet the housing needs of young families in the area. ▪️ Sustainable Design: Highlighting the energy efficiency and low-carbon benefits of Passive House standards. ▪️ Pricing: Ensuring the final properties are competitively priced for the market. 🏡 One important issue raised was the plot’s location outside the current development boundaries for Hutton Cranswick - The proposed development, while outside the current village development boundary, aligns with the Government's commitment to addressing the national housing shortage by delivering high-quality, sustainable homes. With a focus on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, this project supports the push for more housing in rural areas, ensuring communities like Hutton Cranswick can grow sustainably and attract new families. We also discussed accessibility to the village, and we’re pleased to share our commitment to working with the Highways Agency to create a new footpath and cycle path connecting the development to the village, just 130 meters away. The next steps? We’re moving forward with the pre-planning application and look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to bring this exciting project to life. A big thank you to the Parish Council and everyone who attended for their time, insights, and support. This project represents a step forward in sustainable, community-focused housing, and we’re excited for what’s to come! #SustainableLiving #PassiveHouse #HuttonCranswick #GrayArchitecturalDesign #CommunityEngagement #GreenBuilding #FutureHomes #EastYorkshire

Plans submitted for zero carbon-ready homes in Didcot 🏡 Charles Church Wessex – sister company of Persimmon Homes – is seeking permission to construct 151 high-quality new homes on land west of Great Western Park in #Didcot. All of the properties will be zero carbon-ready, equipped with air source heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging points. 49 of these, comprised of one-bed flats and two and three-bed houses, will be transferred to a local housing association partner, alleviating pressure on the local housing waiting list. The phase is located opposite where the Common Park will be established, which will include a wide variety of sports facilities. The scheme includes public open space featuring foot and cycle paths, and landscaping that provides high quality and safe connectivity through the site. This is addition to native shrub, hedge, and tree planting to compliment the residential surroundings. Each of the houses will have parking spaces and be equipped with bicycle parking facilities. Biodiversity enhancements include the use of hedgehog fences, bee bricks, bat boxes, and insect hotels through the development. The Valley Park scheme – which secured outline planning permission in 2022 – will see up to 4,254 homes for local people once completed, accompanied by mixed use local centres, primary schools, sports pitches, community and leisure facilities, special needs school, open space and extensive green infrastructure, hard and soft landscaping, attenuation areas, diversions to public rights of way, and pedestrian and vehicular access. The £50m worth of investment will also deliver a significant number of local jobs on-site and through the supply chain. The news follows the five-star developer starting work on the first phase of 172 homes and supporting the local community through attending a careers day at Didcot Girls’ School last year. #PersimmonHomes

Country park and 130 homes proposed for Hampshire site 🏘️🤔 Bargate Homes Ltd has submitted an outline planning application for a new country park and 130 homes on a site at Overton in Hampshire. If approved, the country park would take up more than half of the 19-hectare site. Located west of Sapley Lane, the proposed housing development would create 130 mixed-tenure new homes with 40 per cent allocated for affordable housing. They would be delivered by VIVID – the parent company of Bargate Homes. The 15-hectare country park is set to be a multifunctional public green space. It would support a range of activities, including natural play areas for young children, and seating areas. New planting of native trees and shrubs is proposed, as well as the rewilding of areas to promote and enhance local biodiversity. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/eGwHk6xt #housebuilder #property #construction #park #planning #residentialproperty #hantsnews #hantshour #businessnews #businessintelligence

There is a tenure shift in the UK moving more towards rental and away from ownership. Interesting discussion around how this is being addressed, the need for the planning system to catch up and the role of Build to Rent in Garden Communities. Building Garden Communities Conference #BuildtoRent

The government's support for the renovation of derelict homes and long-unoccupied houses is revitalizing many villages and towns, bringing numerous old properties back onto the market. The rejuvenation of these areas is enhancing the overall appeal and liveliness of these communities. Our client's initiative to transform an old derelict home is commendable, showcasing the potential within these neglected spaces. In response to the housing crisis, the solution is clear – utilize all available resources. By refurbishing dormant properties, converting commercial spaces into residential units, and implementing innovative construction methods like factory-built houses, we can address the shortage effectively. Creating purpose-built student accommodations further adds to the diverse housing options required in today's market. Kudos to the government for its innovative approach in tackling the housing crisis. Thinking outside the box is key to finding sustainable solutions for our communities. #HousingCrisis #Renovation #CommunityRevitalization #fergusflanaganarchitects