Richborough landowner case study: Haddenham, Buckinghamshire: Sale of land helps secure grandchildren’s future
Summary:
- Multi-owned land had been passed down through the generations and become a burden
- Richborough appointed in 2016 as land promoter for the landowning family, following competitive pitch
- Richborough supported landowners through 8-year process to secure outline planning permission, which was won at second appeal in August 2024
- Land sale secured to a net zero residential developer just 10 weeks later in October 2024
1. Background
Six members of the Jones* family owned a part of the 12-acre parcel of land in Buckinghamshire. It had been left to them by their grandparents who had acquired it in the 1960s. In 2015 they decided to sell the land rather than hand it down to be managed by their 10 children. The family were aware of the site’s potential for residential development due to similar residential development taking place nearby, along with its sustainable location close to facilities and transport links and Aylesbury Vale’s housing shortage.
“We felt passing down the land to so many children would have made management a burden: the more owners, the more complicated it becomes.” Mr Jones, Landowner
2.Finding the right land promoter
In 2015, the Jones family appointed local land agent Bassil Aslam of Orchestra Land to support the promotion of the land for development. Orchestra Land advised that a land promotion company would be best placed to lead on the process due to the funds and expertise required over several years as well as their ability to secure best value through a transparent and competitive marketing exercise once planning permission is secured
A competitive process was organised, and Richborough was chosen as the preferred land promoter above three other land promotion companies.
“Richborough was the outstanding candidate in the pitch. Led by James Bradshaw, the team demonstrated not only a good level of relevant experience/expertise but also commitment, enthusiasm and personal empathy. They also had good local knowledge. None of the other land promoters at the pitch were as engaging or enthusiastic as Richborough.” Mr Jones, Landowner
3.Designing a market leading masterplan
Once appointed, Richborough’s inhouse planning, design, architect and technical experts worked closely with the Jones family and Bassil to design a high-quality masterplan for the development that would:
- Provide attractive homes to answer local housing need
- Embrace local character and identity
- Meet tough design, transport and environmental regulation and standards
- Maximise efficiencies, minimise risks to achieve the best sales return for our landowners
The final proposed masterplan comprised:
- 89 new homes with 30% dedicated as affordable homes
- A new vehicular access road, biodiversity enhancements and pedestrian and cycleway networks
- S106 contributions which will improve local safety signage and contribute to local education, healthcare and leisure projects.
Richborough also supported the Jones family on ending the agricultural tenancy in place on the land.
4.The planning application process
2016: Planning application refused by local planning committee.
2017: Appeal turned down, mainly due to the potential effect of the planned development ‘on the character and appearance of the area and upon the local landscape’.
2022: Second planning application turned down despite planning officer recommendation.
2024: The appeal was allowed, with the planning inspector noting that ‘change to the landscape and visual aspects cause by the proposed development would only be moderate’ due to a recent development constructed nearby.
“We couldn’t have managed this long process without the support of Richborough, due to the myriads of paperwork and significant funding required. James Bradshaw was confident throughout the whole process we would secure planning due to housing need, officer recommendation and the sustainable location of the site. Together with Orchestra Land we formed a really strong team and would meet regularly with realism and optimism.” Mr Jones, Landowner
5.The land sale
Once planning permission was secured, Richborough’s dedicated disposals department immediately began marketing the land, with multi-award-winning local developer, Greencore Homes appointed as the successful development partner just 10 weeks later.
Both Richborough and Greencore are active members of the Future Homes Hub, the not-for-profit body helping the housing industry transition to low-carbon, nature-friendly homes and places.
Richborough is now supporting Greencore to progress the development to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient, and sustainable homes for the Haddenham community over the coming months.
“Securing a development partner was very rapid and it’s a real relief that we have sold the land and put it to good use, creating new homes. We’re particularly pleased that Greencore is a local firm with excellent green credentials. As a family we’re delighted to have had the windfall that we’re able pass on to our children.” Mr Jones, Landowner
6.Final words from our landowner
“No one in the family had done anything like this before – we were novices. We’re so pleased to have had help from Richborough along the way. We received a professional and all-round outstanding experience led by James Bradshaw over an 8-year period, with excellent work by Katie Saunders on the site marketing and Hannah Deverell on the disposal. It was ultimately a very successful collaboration with a consistently high standard of work, good team spirit and, importantly, a glass-half-full approach.” Mr Jones, Landowner
*The family’s name has been changed.