Working in partnership
When Vistry Group acquired the outline-consented site at Steyning in West Sussex from Richborough, it marked the culmination of a well-structured and collaborative process, one shaped by strong technical preparation, pragmatic dialogue and a shared commitment to delivering quality new homes.
The 38-acre site, now set to deliver 265 homes including 40% affordable housing, sits in a highly sustainable location on the edge of Steyning. Richborough had promoted the land through the Horsham District Local Plan and successfully secured outline planning permission in 2024. What made this site stand out, however, was not just the permission itself, but the clarity and completeness of the supporting material.
“Richborough were a pleasure to work with from the outset,” said David Dodds, Land Director at Vistry Group. “Their technical knowledge, clear documentation and collaborative approach enabled a smooth and well-managed acquisition process.”
From the early stages, Richborough provided a comprehensive suite of technical information, including site investigations and detailed planning documents. This allowed Vistry to undertake a full technical appraisal with confidence.
“The inclusion of a design code within the Design and Access Statement significantly reduced the usual ambiguity we often see at outline stage. It gave us a clear framework for our Reserved Matters application and helped us engage more productively with the local authority.”
Despite some of the inevitable complexities that come with a site of this scale, the teams worked closely to resolve issues constructively.
“Whilst the acquisition definitely had its challenges, the service and problem-solving between the teams was second to none. The majority of the sales and marketing pack was available upfront, which allowed us to move through internal approvals quickly and the process was refined collaboratively as we progressed.”
The scheme will bring forward much-needed housing in a high-demand area, as well as provide significant community benefits including new public open space and connect in to wider pedestrian and cycle links.
David concluded: “We’d be happy to work with Richborough again and would confidently recommend them to others.”
