James Bradshaw, MD of our Eastern Division, reveals the new site opportunities, planning applications and draft allocations that have progressed since the summer.
It now seems quite some time since my last update at the beginning of June, when we were just starting to come out of the first lockdown and plotting a ‘roll your sleeves up’ recovery from what had taken place since the pandemic initially hit in March. So, have we done this and where are we now?
Well firstly we have continued to invest in the pipeline. New sites are the lifeblood of our business and so we have worked closely with our excellent agent and landowner clients to ensure that, despite an exceptionally challenging backdrop, we have selectively continued to secure new opportunities.
Additions have been made in Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth, Cherwell, Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon and Monmouthshire and we continue to progress the right sites in the right locations.
Despite planning teams within our local authority partners working in challenging conditions, it has been commendable how many have continued to operate and sought to reduce disruption.
In some ways the brave new world of Zoom and Team calls (well it is to me anyway being a previous technophobe!) allows a more efficient way of working. Whilst there is no substitute for face to face interaction, the ability to cut out multiple long journeys for relatively brief meetings is extremely welcome.
To this end the Eastern Division has been very busy preparing and submitting new applications in Cranfield – Central Bedfordshire (180 homes); Greens Norton – South Northamptonshire (69 homes); Market Bosworth – Hinckley & Bosworth (63 homes); and Shepshed – Charnwood (200 homes) in the second half of the year.
We are also working up applications on sites in Dover District and Tewkesbury Borough that will be submitted in the New Year, as well as a number of other sites across the Eastern Division that we will provide further details on in due course.
Significant progress has also been made in advancing our existing strategic portfolio with draft allocations secured in Gravesham (350 and 120 homes) and Dover (100 homes), with a number of further allocations expected in 2021. We’re also pleased to see progress of the Solihull Local Plan where we have draft allocations in Dickens Heath and Balsall Common and hope to play an active part in an examination next year.
The resilience of the planning and development industry never fails to disappoint and I have to say I am delighted at how the Richborough team has maintained a positive outlook and can-do attitude throughout a year of challenges like no other.
More challenges of course lie ahead but the market fundamentals remain strong and we will get through them and continue our role as responsible land promoter delivering much needed delivery of homes across the UK.
So, all that is left from me to do is wish everyone and their families a merry, restful and well deserved festive break and I look forward to catching up with all of you (hopefully in person!) in 2021.