Lightwood was approached by the landowners of this small but strategically important parcel of land on the edge of the village of Ovingdean just outside the city of Brighton.
This was a highly sensitive development location on the edge of the South Downs National Park but identified within the local authority’s urban fridge assessment. The critical advancement of this project was to understand and work with the local authority over the balance of acceptable development compared with the sensitive policy designations.
Unprecedented ecology solutions which served to protect and relocate a rare species of plant, along with the creation of horse paddock integrated within the development, served to create an acceptable scheme which was supported by the local authority planning officers and the Planning Inspectorate.
Lightwood, in partnership with L&Q Estates (formally Gallagher Estates), has been working to develop proposals at Shapley Heath for the past seven years with a realisable vision to deliver over 5000 homes, with land available to deliver nearer 10,000 homes, businesses, schools, woodlands, open space, country parks and greenspace. Lightwood has secured contractual positions with landowners to control the delivery of half of the area proposed and have a detailed in depth understanding of the technical constraints and the infrastructure requirements that this proposition is based upon.
As is always the case with large scale developments, plans cannot be made unilaterally or in isolation. Lightwood has engaged positively with local stakeholders and is working closely and collaboratively with Hart District Council to ensure that this vision is realised. Together this ensures that diversity, quality affordable homes and infrastructure can be delivered quickly with capacity and expertise to accelerate the delivery of the planning of new homes.
A Garden Communities bid made to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by Hart District Council with support from Lightwood and L&Q Estates was successful, with Shapley Heath awarded Garden Village status.
20997_Shapley_Heath_Garden_Community_2018_eLightwood is working on behalf of several landowners and closely with Mid Devon District Council promoting over 750 acres of land. The long term potential for the garden village is to deliver up to 5,000 new homes as well as employment, shops, schools, healthcare facilities, the creation and relocation of sporting clubs, a country park and a new junction on the M5 motorway.
In 2017 the Government announced plans for a number of new garden villages across the country and Lightwood was pleased that Culm Garden Village was proposed as one of them. East Cullompton is proposed to be allocated for strategic development in the emerging Mid Devon Local Plan. The remainder of the potential garden village is to be allocated within the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan. Cullompton Town Council and the Neighbourhood Plan support the delivery of Culm Garden Village.
Lightwood recognises that development proposals of this scale will have a huge impact on the community. The success and evolution of the project has been positively propelled by the ambitions, aspirations and close positive working relationship between the community, landowners, the local authority and Lightwood, ensuring that the development opportunities and delivery adhere to the vision and principles of the garden village.
Underutilised land partly within the flood plain was granted consent locally by planning officer delegated approval. The key element of consideration was impact on neighbouring amenity and privacy so we had to carefully consider the massing and design of our building and most notability its height. Slab levels were exasperated by predicted flood levels so the balance was to create a safe living environment for the future occupiers whilst also respecting our neighbours.
Set within an historic park in the Sussex countryside, soon to be reclassified as a settlement within the greenbelt, we were attracted to this project because of its previous planning refusals. Extremely considered design and layout in combination with on-going discussion with the Local Planning Authority resulted in a unanimous approval by the planning committee. A very challenging project due to the large amount of protected trees and the very specific local character but we welcomed eventual success.
A challenging project in planning terms which culminated in planning consent, awarded by the Planning Inspectorate for two beautiful bespoke houses accessed off a private drive. The houses have now been built and sold.
Close to the Fetcham Conservation area the focus of this project was community involvement. The site was within the setting of an ancient lake and geotechnical engineering and flood risk was a major consideration whilst also planning a viable scheme that respected its local setting. Working with the local community and planning officers we presented a final scheme to the planning committee that was granted consent by unanimous verdict.
A site with an exceptional view, we decided that this unique setting warranted a contemporary design. We believe that the design brief for a project has to be led by local character and the site setting, not by market or client demand. With this belief in mind we created a contemporary property that benefitted from a large amount of rear fenestration to maximise the glorious views. The design also allowed us to provide a high level of sustainable construction material and use renewable energy sources.
A very high value location neighbouring and mirroring one of our previous developments for two 6,000 sq ft houses of high quality design and finish. Planning was achieved in record time and granted consent under delegated powers .
