Lightwood appeal success on the Crown Estate
The Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal by Lightwood against the decision of Elmbridge Borough Council Planning Committee to refuse an application for the erection of two detached dwellings on the exclusive Crown Estate in Cobham.
Despite gaining the support of the planning officer and going to committee with a recommendation to approve, it was unanimously refused on the basis that it would failed to make the most effective use of land to meet the housing needs of the area (essentially that the site should be utilised for a greater number of smaller units).
The respectful and considered proposal was recognised by the Inspector as being “consistent with the established character and appearance of the area surrounding it” and “an appropriate form of development for the appeal site”.
Inspector supports allocation of Culm Garden Village
The Inspector of the Examination of the Mid Devon Local Plan Review 2013-2033 has concluded that the Plan provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the District and with the inclusion of the Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications, the Mid Devon Local Plan Review 2013 – 2033 satisfies the requirements of Section 20(5) of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and meets the criteria for soundness in the Framework.
Lightwood’s Culm Garden Village (Policy CU7) has been allocated for 2,600 within the Plan, with the wider Garden Village to be allocated within the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP).
Inspector concludes Braintree Garden Communities unsound
Inspector Roger Clews has ruled that if “unsound” proposals for new settlements on the Colchester and Braintree borders and the West of Braintree garden community are removed, the North Essex Authorities Strategic Section 1 Plan is “capable of being made sound”.
He highlights that the viability appraisal found that “with an appropriate 40 per cent contingency allowance on transport and utilities infrastructure, the proposed Colchester/Braintree borders garden community would not achieve a viable land price”, and that the proposed West of Braintree garden community is below – or at best is at the very margin of – financial viability, contrary to advice in the PPG. On this basis, he says, “neither garden community is deliverable”.
Completion of sale on 45 unit scheme in Ovingdean
Lightwood has completed the sale of its 45 unit development in Ovingdean, Brighton to Brookworth Homes. The scheme which was consented at appeal will provide much needed homes in Brighton, including affordable housing, the growth of which is curtailed being surrounded by the South Downs National Park.
Shapley Heath awarded Garden Village status
Lightwood in conjunction with Hart District Council submitted a bid to join the Government’s Garden Communities programme in November 2018; a programme set up by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to help meet demand for new homes in England.
We are delighted to announce that Shapley Heath Garden Village (at Murrell Green) was one of 19 successful bids to the programme and has been awarded £150,000 in this first year to help develop ‘Shapley Heath Garden Village’ for up to 10,000 homes at Murrell Green and Winchfield.
Lightwood, in collaboration with Gallagher Estates/Barratt Homes:
“This programme is more than about building new homes, it’s about delivering appropriate infrastructure, such as schools, transport, and health and community facilities. The funding and support that we’ll receive as a designated Garden Community will allow a truly locally led approach, developing plans for a new community that is sustainable, beautiful and benefits from the right infrastructure – provided at the right time – together with spaces that promote wellbeing and enhances biodiversity. We still have some way to go with the programme, but this announcement gives us the green light to pursue the creation of a garden community.”
Lightwood sign 163 acres in St Albans
Sandridgebury Farm measures around 66 hectares and lies to the north of St Albans. The core planning strategy is to achieve an allocation in the next review of the Local Plan, beginning in around 5 years’ time. We envisage it being a major part of an urban extension of 2000-2500 homes. The farm is in the Green Belt, but this designation covers all of the local authority area, and it has shown a willingness to alter the Green Belt in the current phase of plan review.
Sale of 60 unit scheme in Stalbridge completed
Lightwood have completed the sale of the 60 unit scheme at Thornhill Road, Stalbridge to Sovereign Housing Association. Sovereign are one of the most active developers of all housing associations in the UK, and have a 30-year track record of delivering homes from new-build, conversion and regeneration schemes.
35 acre site in Shortwood, South Gloucestershire signed
The land is to the east of the A4174 Avon Ring Road and just to the south of Emersons Green and Lyde Green. It is formed of three titles and the three separate landowners are all signatories to a single promotion agreement. A suite of technical studies has been commissioned to prepare a site layout and to establish housing numbers; our estimate is 300+ dwellings.
Lightwood will be making the case for the land to be removed from the Green Belt within the South Gloucestershire Local Plan Review, and will be seeking to influence the examination of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan, which will set the context for South Gloucestershire to 2036. Strategic matters such as the housing requirement, brownfield capacity, and the nature of the planned land supply (e.g. large complex sites versus smaller deliverable locations) will be addressed. Our technical work will promote the sites specific credentials, relative to other locations. Our goal is to have the land released from the Green Belt by 2021.
Lightwood secure Bosch as technology delivery Partner
Lightwood firmly believe that allocating future developments without enshrining the principles of smart technologies from the outset will compound the future sustainability of new settlements. It means smarter transport networks, upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities, and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings. It also encompasses a more interactive and responsive form of space, governance, safer public spaces and meeting the needs of an ageing population. In smart places, digital technologies translate into better public services for residents, better use of resources and less impact on the environment.
Bosch are industry leaders in smart technology and we are delighted to confirm our partnership with them ensuring that our developments will be SMART, efficient and environmentally friendly by utilising the most advanced technology, infrastructure and utilities system.
Consent granted for 45 units in Ovingdean
The Planning Inspectorate has sided with Lightwood and allowed its appeal against the decision of Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) to refuse the application for 45 dwellings at land south of Ovingdean Road.
In reaching her decision the Inspector, Lesley Coffey, considered all the evidence submitted and concluded that the site was urban fringe in character and the proposal would not harm the landscape character and appearance of the surrounding area, or the setting of the South Downs National Park (SDNP). Whilst she accepted that there would be limited harm to the ecology and biodiversity of the site, this was not deemed substantial enough to outweigh the considerable benefits the site offered.
Most significantly, Lightwood submitted during the appeal a correction to the supply figures within the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). Based on the amended figures, BHCC was only able to demonstrate a very marginal five year housing land supply, with a surplus of just 4 dwellings and a number of other questionable sites included within the figures. This view was supported by the Inspector who concluded that the Council was unable to demonstrate a 5 year supply of housing land and the precise extent of the shortfall would be at least 200 dwellings, but probably greater.
