As per the Western team, 2018 was an extremely busy year for the Eastern Division with no let ups likely in 2019!
To assist the team, we were delighted that James Carpenter joined us as Divisional Planning Director in November. James joins from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council where he held the role of Head of Services for Planning, Design and Engagement. James brings with him a wealth of experience and will be responsible for planning strategy and delivery across the Division.
Following the grant of planning permission for 125 homes in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, alongside agents for the site Strutt and Parker, we were delighted to secure Bovis Homes as our development partner who will be delivering the development. The site is set in an unrivalled location and we were particularly pleased to deliver such a fantastic result for our landowners, bringing an extremely valuable site forwards swiftly following its removal from the Green Belt and allocation in the Local Plan.
We were also delighted to secure Bellway Homes as our development partner to deliver up to 100 new homes, including 40% affordable properties at Warton, North Warwickshire having speedily secured planning permission on this unallocated greenfield site. It is envisaged that the development will commence with properties going onto the market later on in 2019.
Planning permission has also been obtained for up to 200 new homes at Higham Lane, Nuneaton. We are particularly proud to have secured planning permission on this unallocated site where the Local Plan was well advanced in just over 12 months after securing the site. Further still, we are close to securing a development partner who will be responsible for delivering a high-quality development. It is envisaged that the development will commence later this year.
Our site at Raglan, Monmouth also secured a resolution to grant planning permission for up to 111 new homes, including 35% much needed affordable housing. This has since been subject to a call-in by the Welsh Government, so further reports will be provided on this project in due course.
The east region has also now submitted an outline planning application for 215 new homes (including 35% affordable) in Halesworth, Waveney District. We are working closely with the Council and hope to secure planning permission and a development partner for the project during 2019.
New sites have been secured across the Division with the South East Region securing a site in Meopham, Gravesham Borough that will be promoted through the Local Plan and the East Region securing a site at Melbourne, South Derybyshire. The Division is also close bringing in a number of exciting immediate and longer-term opportunities over the coming months that will be announced in the next Newsletter.
As Jonathon Bloor has pointed out we go into 2019 with Brexit well and truly on our minds, however, at Richborough we remain upbeat about 2019 with the fundamentals of a strong housing market in place and a duty upon us all to play our part in tackling the worsening housing crisis.
James Bradshaw, Eastern Divisional Director james@richboorughestates.co.uk / 07969 960194