Planning & Development Bulletin - Mar 2021

These are certainly interesting times to be working in planning and urban design. The Government has great ambitions for overhauling key parts of the planning system, improving housing delivery and raising the standard of design across the country.

Despite the present situation around the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is currently consulting on another document, a National Model Design Code. Our Planning & Development professionals have analysed the document and accompanying guidance notes to provide their thoughts on how the code might work in practice. To view the article, please click here.

On behalf of Dernford Eastern Ltd, our professionals have secured planning permission on appeal for the redevelopment of a much-denuded brownfield site on Newmarket Road in Cambridge.

Permission is granted for the provision of ten new residential units, plus an extension and alteration of an existing office building on the site, Logic House.

Although centrally and sustainably located, the site presents many of the planning challenges typical to brownfield renewal schemes in Cambridge, for example being located within a conservation area, adjacent to a listed church and significant trees, and having a close spatial relationship with existing residential properties. 

The appeal was made on the grounds of non-determination of the application, but the central issue revolved around matters of adequate private external amenity space provision for the proposed residential units. Our professionals were able to robustly demonstrate through daylight and sunlight assessment and by reference to the National Design Guide that the residential units will provide a good level of amenity for future occupants. 

The development will see the sustainable recycling of a brownfield site in a city centre location, will provide much needed new homes and should lead to a visual enhancement to the area.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

Partner
07796 148843

Delivering the vision of a diverse 1,500 home new community, Kingsgrove in Wantage reaches another key milestone as St. Modwen and Crabhill Developments sell the latest parcel of residential land to Bellway Homes.

This triggers the start of the next phase of residential development at the 227-acre scheme, where St. Modwen is the master developer working closely with landowner Crabhill Developments and our development professionals, who advised on the sale.

Following a competitive tender process, leading housebuilder Bellway Homes has been selected to develop Phase 3b, which will comprise 121 homes including 45 affordable units. It sits at the eastern edge of the residential development and represents a second phase on site for the housebuilder.

Infrastructure for the services and access roads for the site are well progressed and Bellway will target a start on site in October this year.

James Bainbridge, Chairman, said: This is the sixth residential parcel sold by the landowners at Kingsgrove and will significantly increase the rate of delivery of much needed new homes in the area. It demonstrates the confidence, strength and depth of the residential development market in Oxfordshire despite current COVID-19 restrictions.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

James Bainbridge
Chairman
07887 834070
james.bainbridge@carterjonas.co.uk

The RICS has updated their guidance on procedures for boundary dispute resolution, specifically citing an increase in boundary disputes during the COVID-19 period in England & Wales. This guidance places new emphasis on mediation and the avoidance of litigation.

Geoff Kenney, Head of Measured Surveys at Carter Jonas, explains that if you are concerned about any boundaries with neighbours, or looking to determine a boundary position prior to development, the first step is to contact a measured surveyor.  The surveyor will visit the property and carry out a site inspection, recording key features relevant to the boundary position. They will also consider evidence such as the title plans, deeds, conveyance documents, historical mapping, and other evidence before preparing a report giving their expert opinion on the boundary position. Often, having seen this report, the parties can then settle on the correct boundary however if this is not possible the next step may be mediation. 

Mediation is a voluntary, non-binding form of alternative dispute resolution where an independent expert is appointed to help reach a negotiated settlement. It is becoming increasingly popular as it often results in a positive settlement for all parties. The courts will usually require parties to attempt mediation first, in the hope that it will avoid a trial later.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

Geoff Kenney
Head of Measured Surveys
07788 362176
geoff.kenney@carterjonas.co.uk

Our professionals continually monitor the planning and development framework across local authorities to identify and manage opportunities.

Our quarterly research provides insight and analysis of the current development climate within the home counties.

Within the latest edition, we look at Surrey and West Sussex. Our analysis covers:

• Local Plan position and 5-year housing supply
• Housing Delivery Test data
• Development drivers
• Critical calendar dates
• Our thoughts on the National Model Design Code consultation

To view the research, please click here.

If you were unable to attend our recent virtual events, recordings of the sessions are now available to view.

On 25 February, our research specialists discussed the conclusions of our Refloating the Arc report, looking at the key challenges, what the Arc should be delivering in the light of changing social and economic priorities, and whether the objectives could be delivered more effectively. To view the webinar recording, click here.

On the 4 March, our professionals provided an update on the current state of the commercial property market, not only summarising our 2021 Commercial Edge research report conclusions, but also providing further insight on where they see the opportunities and threats for the next 12 months. To view the webinar recording, click here.

On 11 March, a panel of experts considered the impact of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc on the delivery of housing, addressing whether the concept is harming or aiding housing delivery targets for the region. They explored the relationship between Central and Local Government, addressing the need for a long term ‘place-based’ approach to growth which is not just about housing delivery. To view the webinar recording, click here.