In this first development roundup of 2022, Property Investor Today explores a new green community close to Northampton and the granting of planning permission for more new homes in Erith.

Vistry Group secures reserved matters for 439-home green community

Housebuilder Vistry Group has secured ‘reserved matters planning approval’ for more than 400 homes as part of a new green community near Northampton, with construction set to commence in the coming months.

Vistry – which builds Bovis Homes and Linden Homes properties – is now preparing to start groundwork at its Western Gate location on Sandy Lane, in Harpole, following approval for 439 homes. This includes 66 affordable properties.

The housebuilder says it is also committing £6 million towards a new primary school, while ensuring a green network is in place with tree planting and public footpaths. In addition, further contributions are being made towards a local centre, play facilities, a library and highway work.

Andrew Harvey, regional land director at Vistry, said: “We’re delighted to receive reserved matters consent for these much-needed Bovis Homes and Linden Homes properties in Harpole and can’t wait to get started on the development.”

He added: “A total of 15% of our homes at Western Gate will be affordable housing and we will deliver green benefits, including tree planting and footpaths. As well as high-quality homes to suit all types of home buyers, we look forward to making community contributions to ensure residents thrive and enjoy their environment as much as possible.”

The design of Western Gate incorporates the retention of existing trees and retains green infrastructure that will ‘be enhanced through tree planting’. Additionally, public footpaths will extend through the development, linking the existing and proposed network to ensure pedestrian access to properties and the surrounding area.

The one to five-bedroom homes, which will include properties from Bovis Homes and Linden Homes’ latest collections, will be situated five miles from Northampton town centre, with easy access to the M1, plenty of local amenities and a selection of ‘Good’ Ofsted-rated schools nearby.

Permission granted for more homes at The Quarry, Erith

The London Borough of Bexley has granted permission to L&Q and Anderson to deliver the next phase of homes at regeneration project The Quarry, in Erith, South East London.

Designed by architects Tate Hindle, the new phase is set deliver a total of 145 new homes, made up of 32 apartments for outright sale and 113 affordable homes, for rent and Shared Ownership.

The homes will form part of The Quarry, described as a ‘landmark development’ being delivered by L&Q and Anderson, creating a collection of over 800 homes on the site of a disused quarry.

The new phase, which will act as the gateway to The Quarry, will be located next to a new state-of-the-art primary school, which is also being delivered as part of the project. What’s more, the phase is set to create 540 square metres of new retail and commercial space, parking and cycle storage provision, as well as significant landscaped open space and increased connectivity to the wider masterplan.

Tim Chilvers, land & planning manager for Anderson, said: “Today’s decision marks a real milestone for this project because it unlocks the most important and prominent part of this scheme. Our brief to our architects, TateHindle, was simple; create attractive buildings that contribute in a meaningful way to placemaking at The Quarry, and provide for our residents the highest quality living environment. We are very pleased that the local planning authority has endorsed their design approach and our attention now turns to delivering on our collective vision for this gateway.”

Neil Davis, director of delivery for L&Q, added: “We are pleased to be working alongside our joint venture partners Anderson and the London Borough of Bexley to deliver new homes at The Quarry. This is a particularly significant phase at The Quarry, which will deliver a high proportion of affordable homes – furthering our commitment to creating much-needed homes for local people here in Bexley.”

Mike Jamieson, director at TateHindle, also commented: “We’re incredibly excited that permission has been granted for 145 homes at The Quarry, breathing new life into this important site. Our design for the four apartment buildings aims to knit seamlessly into the hillside, creating high-quality homes for a vibrant new community in an ecologically-focussed setting.”