Strong commitment, collaboration and capability brings new homes to Bramley
After successfully securing outline planning permission at appeal in March 2023, our Developments team completed the sale of a site in Bramley in January 2024.
It’s a great example of success achieved in a difficult market through strong expertise and commitment, and collaboration between multiple different teams and stakeholders.
After a long planning battle, we were delighted to see this fantastic site finally come to fruition.
- Up to 140 new homes, 40% affordable
- Community hub, allotments, and orchards
- 40 acres of open space
- Close to public transport, doctors, and schools.
Winning the planning appeal
In 2018, the owners of Stocks Farm in Bramley signed a promotion agreement with us on their 54 acres of land. With excellent experience and a long track record of working in the same local authority, (Basingstoke and Deane), including winning a planning appeal there in 2021, we were able to quickly prepare an application for 140 homes on the land.
We originally applied for planning permission on the site in December 2021. However, we subsequently had to overcome a number of challenging planning hurdles, including a decision by the Secretary of State that we needed to submit further information on the environmental effects of the development.
We appealed against this non-determination in July 2022, and the local planning authority subsequently offered several reasons for refusal, including landscape character, scale and visual quality, heritage concerns, access, and infrastructure. However, we remained fully committed to bringing forward much-needed new housing in the area. Following a two-week planning inquiry in January 2023, we secured outline planning permission in March 2023, thanks to the fantastic expertise of our planning team.
Next, we needed to sell the site. We worked closely with selling agent Savills, as well as the landowner, throughout. Despite a slow buying market, we received eleven strong offers. Market volatility meant we had to move fast and work hard to secure the sale, and eventually the site was sold to Redrow Homes, exchanging in November 2023. Our success and speed of progress in this final phase was once again all down to teamwork and collaboration.
New homes and places for people
This project was not just about building much-needed new homes – it was about creating a fantastic place for people to live. Thanks to the most supportive landowners, we were able to incorporate a wide range of amenities for everyone. This includes a community hub with a shop, café, and co-working space. These facilities all responded directly to the needs of the Neighbourhood Plan and the feedback we got from the public consultation.
Local people have lots of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors at the site too, with community allotments, orchards, and wildflower meadows. There’s also a skate park, trim trail wooden playground, kickabout space, children’s play area, and a bowling green.
Green and sustainable
We’re proud of our commitment to sustainability and the environment. The development will be brilliant for biodiversity with a net gain of 93% in habitat, and 72% in hedgerow units. Almost three-quarters of the site will be open space. Every single home will have an EV charging point, and an integrated sustainable drainage system will protect the site from flooding.
Our partners said…
Wates have worked tirelessly to push the project forwards to a successful conclusion against all the odds. Their professionalism and experience has been second to none and we have enjoyed working with the team at Wates.”
Carol Walton
Landowner
This was one of the quickest, most efficient strategic land projects I’ve ever been involved in. Wates’ existing knowledge and connections to the local planning authority were second to none. Their attention to detail throughout including the financial analysis of all offers was superb. It helped finalise an exceptional price for the land sale completing on time.”
Ed Keeling MRICS, Director
Head of South Central Development, SAVILLS
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