Whitford Green, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Sold For Residential Development
Successful strategic land promotion in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Catesby Estates acquired the site on a freehold basis in 2012 to bring forward new homes on the site which was first allocated as safeguarded land in the Bromsgrove District Local Plan 2004, and subsequently allocated within the Bromsgrove District Plan in 2017.
Bromsgrove is a highly desirable, but expensive place to live. For many first time buyers and young people, house prices are out of reach, with ever increasing deposits and monthly payments reducing the number of owner occupiers. Figures from Rightmove show Bromsgrove has an overall average house price of £247,571, an increase of 5% on the year before, and 19% from 2015 when they averaged at £208,242.
Statistics also show that when lower quartile earnings and house prices are considered, Bromsgrove District is the least affordable of all the Worcestershire local planning authorities.
The development will provide 202 affordable new homes, in an area which is desperately short of meeting its needs. Independent research commissioned earlier this year has highlighted since 2006/07 just 94 net affordable homes have been delivered per annum, and as a result of this average delivery rate it would take over 23 years for Bromsgrove District Council to house the 2,166 households on the Housing Register.
Land promotion timeline for 42 acres site in Bromsgrove
Outline planning application submitted for new homes in 2014
An outline planning application first went before Planning Committee in 2014 and was refused, a decision that was then backed by an Inspector. In response to that decision, Catesby subsequently acquired the former Greyhound Inn public house which had ceased trading, enabling the creation of a new roundabout that would be key to delivering the site.
Second outline planning application submitted in 2017
Despite the site being allocated in the Bromsgrove District Plan and recommended for approval, a further outline application submitted jointly with Miller Homes in 2017 was deferred by members of the Planning Committee.
Appeal submitted by Catesby Estates to the Planning Inspectorate 2019
The application was deferred again at Committee in 2019, and Catesby & Miller Homes subsequently appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in December 2019.
A virtual inquiry sat for four days in November 2020, with the decision issued in February 2021. The appeal was successful, along with a full award of costs against Bromsgrove District Council.
New Homes Planning Appeal Successful 2021
Catesby Estates are pleased to announce the planning appeal submitted jointly with Miller Homes at Whitford Road, Bromsgrove has been successful, along with a full award of costs against Bromsgrove District Council.
The virtual inquiry sat for four days in November 2020.
In his judgement the Planning Inspectorate stated “Not only does the appeal proposal comply with the Development Plan as a whole, it would bring forward one of the key town expansion sites allocated under Policy BDP5A. Site A has a crucial role in contributing to the supply of housing land, and its development would boost the provision of market and affordable housing in Bromsgrove. These are considerable benefits which clearly outweigh the limited harm which I have identified.”
Catesby had been working on behalf of the landowners with Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) since 2013 to bring forward new homes on the 42 acre site. The proposals included 505 new homes, 40% affordable housing, and a significant package of infrastructure contributions and highway works totalling over £6.7 million.
Successful strategic land sale in Bromsgrove January 2022
Catesby Estates has successfully completed the sale of a residential development site in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire to Bellway Homes (South Midlands).
The 42 acre site has outline planning consent for 490 new homes, 40% affordable housing, and a significant package of infrastructure contributions and highway works totalling over £6.7 million.
Bellway will bring forward 370 new homes, with the balance delivered by Miller Homes.
Myron Osborne, Chief Executive of Catesby Estates said, “National housebuilder Bellway have a reputation for delivering high quality new homes, and we are very pleased to have completed this land sale.”
“This site shows how difficult and lengthy the process of new home delivery can be, despite being allocated in the District Plan and located in a sustainable area where there is a recognised shortage of housing, particularly affordable homes.”
This is a prime example of Catesby’s in-house skill, tenacity and commitment to delivering a positive outcome. We always believed we could deliver a well-designed scheme with clear community benefits, including increasing affordable housing stock in the area along with significant highways improvements which are much needed in Bromsgrove.
Promoting your strategic land in Worcestershire with Catesby Estates
We’re actively seeking strategic land sites in Worcestershire. With a proven track record and strong success rate, landowners in the county are welcome to contact us.
Site Specifics
42 Acre Site (17.0 Hectares)
490 New Homes
AFFORDABLE HOUSING - 40%
HOUSING TYPES - The housing mix will incorporate a mix of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes with 202 affordable homes provided for those struggling to get on the housing ladder.
OVER £6.7 MILLION INVESTMENT IN HIGHWAYS - Prior to new residents taking occupation a new roundabout will be built at the junction of Fox Lane and Rock Hill. This will reduce the queueing that already occurs at certain periods in the morning peak by both allowing traffic coming down Fox Lane and turning into Rock Hill to flow more easily whilst increasing the capacity of the junction to cope with existing and new traffic volumes.
New traffic signals will be installed at the Kidderminster Road and Whitford Road junction, again to ease queueing during peak hours.
Significant financial contributions will also be made towards improvement works to St John’s Street, Market Street, Hanover Street junction, the A38 improvement schemes whilst further investment in the public transport, pedestrian and cycleway infrastructure will also be made by the developers.
Mott Macdonald were appointed by Bromsgrove District Council (‘BDC’) to independently review the transport assessment and road improvements package submitted as part of the planning application. This review was completed and along with the Highways Authority, Worcestershire County Council, they are satisfied that the proposals will provide benefits for both existing and new residents.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACES - Whitford Green will be home to a range of facilities for play, leisure and just plain relaxing. You will be able to swing, slide, climb and ride to your hearts content.
A ‘trim trail’ feature will provide further leisure opportunities and the site is within easy walking distance of Sanders Park with its wide range of facilities including café, basketball courts, skate park and children's play areas.
CYCLE AND FOOTPATH ROUTES - Pedestrian and cycle routes will meander through the site supplemented with informal play areas.
RETAIL FACILITIES - New Local Shop
Successful strategic land promotion in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Catesby Estates acquired the site on a freehold basis in 2012 to bring forward new homes on the site which was first allocated as safeguarded land in the Bromsgrove District Local Plan 2004, and subsequently allocated within the Bromsgrove District Plan in 2017.
Bromsgrove is a highly desirable, but expensive place to live. For many first time buyers and young people, house prices are out of reach, with ever increasing deposits and monthly payments reducing the number of owner occupiers. Figures from Rightmove show Bromsgrove has an overall average house price of £247,571, an increase of 5% on the year before, and 19% from 2015 when they averaged at £208,242.
Statistics also show that when lower quartile earnings and house prices are considered, Bromsgrove District is the least affordable of all the Worcestershire local planning authorities.
The development will provide 202 affordable new homes, in an area which is desperately short of meeting its needs. Independent research commissioned earlier this year has highlighted since 2006/07 just 94 net affordable homes have been delivered per annum, and as a result of this average delivery rate it would take over 23 years for Bromsgrove District Council to house the 2,166 households on the Housing Register.
Land promotion timeline for 42 acres site in Bromsgrove
Outline planning application submitted for new homes in 2014
An outline planning application first went before Planning Committee in 2014 and was refused, a decision that was then backed by an Inspector. In response to that decision, Catesby subsequently acquired the former Greyhound Inn public house which had ceased trading, enabling the creation of a new roundabout that would be key to delivering the site.
Second outline planning application submitted in 2017
Despite the site being allocated in the Bromsgrove District Plan and recommended for approval, a further outline application submitted jointly with Miller Homes in 2017 was deferred by members of the Planning Committee.
Appeal submitted by Catesby Estates to the Planning Inspectorate 2019
The application was deferred again at Committee in 2019, and Catesby & Miller Homes subsequently appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in December 2019.
A virtual inquiry sat for four days in November 2020, with the decision issued in February 2021. The appeal was successful, along with a full award of costs against Bromsgrove District Council.
New Homes Planning Appeal Successful 2021
Catesby Estates are pleased to announce the planning appeal submitted jointly with Miller Homes at Whitford Road, Bromsgrove has been successful, along with a full award of costs against Bromsgrove District Council.
The virtual inquiry sat for four days in November 2020.
In his judgement the Planning Inspectorate stated “Not only does the appeal proposal comply with the Development Plan as a whole, it would bring forward one of the key town expansion sites allocated under Policy BDP5A. Site A has a crucial role in contributing to the supply of housing land, and its development would boost the provision of market and affordable housing in Bromsgrove. These are considerable benefits which clearly outweigh the limited harm which I have identified.”
Catesby had been working on behalf of the landowners with Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) since 2013 to bring forward new homes on the 42 acre site. The proposals included 505 new homes, 40% affordable housing, and a significant package of infrastructure contributions and highway works totalling over £6.7 million.
Successful strategic land sale in Bromsgrove January 2022
Catesby Estates has successfully completed the sale of a residential development site in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire to Bellway Homes (South Midlands).
The 42 acre site has outline planning consent for 490 new homes, 40% affordable housing, and a significant package of infrastructure contributions and highway works totalling over £6.7 million.
Bellway will bring forward 370 new homes, with the balance delivered by Miller Homes.
Myron Osborne, Chief Executive of Catesby Estates said, “National housebuilder Bellway have a reputation for delivering high quality new homes, and we are very pleased to have completed this land sale.”
“This site shows how difficult and lengthy the process of new home delivery can be, despite being allocated in the District Plan and located in a sustainable area where there is a recognised shortage of housing, particularly affordable homes.”
This is a prime example of Catesby’s in-house skill, tenacity and commitment to delivering a positive outcome. We always believed we could deliver a well-designed scheme with clear community benefits, including increasing affordable housing stock in the area along with significant highways improvements which are much needed in Bromsgrove.
Promoting your strategic land in Worcestershire with Catesby Estates
We’re actively seeking strategic land sites in Worcestershire. With a proven track record and strong success rate, landowners in the county are welcome to contact us.
