Planning update – approval for homes in Hastings, Manchester & Norfolk

In this mini update, PIT looks at the latest in planning applications, with affordable factory-built homes in Hastings, high-quality homes anticipated for Manchester city centre and a new residential scheme in Norfolk.

Plans for affordable factory-built homes in Hastings gets the green light

Hastings Borough Council has granted the Approval of Reserved Matters for 140 new homes in accordance with an Outline Planning Permission in Harrow Lane, Hastings.

With approval granted, modular housing firm ilke Homes will begin to deliver a mix of apartments and houses, ranging in sizes from one to four-bedroom family homes. 

The homes will be manufactured offsite at ilke Homes’ factory in North Yorkshire, where precision-engineering techniques enable the company to deliver highly sustainable homes.

This means ilke Homes is able to commit to helping tackle the local council’s climate emergency, while delivering much-needed affordable housing.

The 12.4-acre site will be delivered by ilke Homes as part of its turnkey offering – by which it acquires land, gains planning permission, manufactures the homes and develops the site.

By taking charge of the full construction programme, ilke Homes is able to provide councils and clients with certainty that sites will be delivered on time and to budget.

The demand/supply imbalance, generous tax breaks and changing living requirements among buyers have pushed house prices in Hastings to record highs. Overall, sold prices in Hastings over the last year were 10% up on the previous year and 22% up on the 2019 peak of £241,260.

Precision-engineering techniques mean that ilke Homes will be able to deliver the 140 affordable homes in half the time of traditional methods.

Once complete, the homes and complementing open spaces will be managed by a registered provider of affordable homes.

Hastings Borough Council chose ilke Homes to develop the site in October 2021. Completion of the scheme is expected in Spring 2024. 

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for housing and homelessness, says of the move: “We are pleased that this application has been granted, we look forward to seeing these new homes being built and lived in by some of the many people we have in this town who need an affordable roof over their heads.”

“With the cost of living increasing it is important that all new homes are built to be efficient and that they are as cheap as possible for people to heat and live in. Ilke’s designs mean that the homes they build cost less to heat which will help reduce fuel poverty in our town.”

Matt Suggit, development director at ilke Homes, adds: “ilke Homes are increasingly becoming a partner of choice for local authorities looking to scale up the delivery of energy-efficient, affordable housing, and this planning permission is testament to that.”

“Our application achieved officers support within the target timescales and we’d like to thank officers at Hastings Borough Council for processing the application in a positive and efficient manner.”

He continues: “Our accredited modular methods of delivery will ensure that these homes help Hastings Borough Council meet carbon reduction targets and deliver much needed affordable housing. We are proud to be delivering all 140 homes as affordable tenures, comprising 70 Shared Ownership homes and 70 affordable rent homes.”

Major planning approval for high-quality homes in Manchester

Manchester property developer Renaker has been granted full planning permission for two residential 51-storey towers that will provide 988 high-quality new homes. 

Located within the Great Jackson Street masterplan, near Deansgate at the southern end of the city centre, each building will have its own residents’ amenity space including co-working space, gym and lounges, along with private underground car and cycle parking and a private residents’ garden.

The proposed developments will create almost one acre of high-quality public realm located at the centre of the development. The public realm will deliver a crucial part of the strategic pedestrian and cycle link between Hulme and the City Centre, which is a key priority of Manchester City Council’s Great Jackson Street Strategic Regeneration Framework.

Designed by Simpson Haugh, the towers share the same distinctive aesthetic, featuring chamfered edges to create a dynamic vertical movement up the tower. A subtle variation in façade colour gives each tower its own unique identity whilst providing interest and excitement to the Manchester skyline. 

A spokesperson for Renaker comments: “We are delighted that our plans have been approved by Manchester City Council.”

“Providing high-quality new homes and first-class amenities for residents, these two developments are a key part of – and a further step towards – our vision for the wider creation of this exciting new city centre neighbourhood and build upon the successes of Deansgate Square, Crown Street and Castle Wharf.”

“The Blade and 360 developments are already under construction, and we look forward to delivering these two similarly iconic developments in the near future.”  

New homes set for Attleborough after plans given the go-ahead

Construction of a new residential scheme of 349 homes in Attleborough, Norfolk will begin this summer, with Latimer joining housebuilder The Hill Group to deliver vital housing to local people.

Latimer – the development arm of Clarion Housing Group – consulted with locals in June 2021 to shape proposals for a new sustainable and mixed-tenure residential community, leading to an approved first phase planning application for the site.

These plans, approved in January, will deliver an initial 153 new homes, including 56 affordable units – exceeding planning policy for local affordable housing provision.

Pending an approved planning application for the site’s second phase, the wider 38.8-acre development will offer a range of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, with designs reflecting the character of regional architecture.

The units will be built in the same style as the private sale homes, creating a ‘tenure-blind’ scheme.

As well as providing new affordable housing for the town, the development will also offer a range of sustainable features. All homes will be gas-free and fitted with modern, air-source heat pumps to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the development. The plans also include new green space, walking routes, trees, a habitat pond and play areas to promote resident health and wellbeing.

The new homes will be located within walking distance of Attleborough town centre, supporting a ’20-minute Neighbourhood’ planning concept aiming to reduce road traffic and ensuring facilities such as shops and train stations remain close by.

Future joint work on the project will seek to improve Attleborough’s local infrastructure, including expanding nearby schools and the town’s library.

Greg Hill, group chief executive at The Hill Group, comments: “We are delighted to be embarking on another exciting project with Latimer, continuing our successful partnership on this landmark new development in Norfolk. Together with our partners Latimer, we are committed to working with the community and local stakeholders as we start planning for construction work to begin on-site this summer.”

Richard Cook, group director of development at Clarion Housing Group, adds: “We were thrilled to get the green light to build this first phase of homes in Attleborough and create a new community where everyone belongs. Our proposals meet a clear local housing need and will provide a variety of homes that capture the town’s character and existing architecture.”

“Working with The Hill Group, we will deliver vital affordable housing options within walking distance of Attleborough town centre – boosting the local economy, keeping cars off the streets and helping to reduce the area’s carbon footprint.”