A Year of Change

The theme of this year has been very much about change at Catesby Estates

The acquisition of L&Q Estates by Catesby’s parent company Urban&Civic (U&C), a new Labour Government with upbeat political messaging around delivery of new homes, and yet another National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation.

Catesby’s position has been significantly strengthened as a result of the acquisition.  The acquisition has increased our promotion portfolio in key target locations, whilst also bolstering our already highly experienced team with the addition of new personnel from the L&Q business who have significant knowledge and track record in the sector.

This alongside our substantial existing financial backing, means Catesby have a clear platform advantage over other land promotion businesses.  This acquisition is a perfect alignment of expertise and resources to ensure we continue to provide landowners a best in class service for maximising the potential of their land.

This has been another record year for planning application submissions, and we currently have over 9,600  plots currently awaiting determination.  Planning Committee decisions remain unpredictable with the new Government and the proposed planning changes still yet to have the desired influence in some regions.

Outline Planning Permissions Granted 

Despite this, Catesby has achieved notable positive planning decisions at Minster Lovell, Latchingdon, Countesthorpe, Hellingly and Southwater equating to over 900 plots.  Working closely with key stakeholders and the Local Authorities meant that all but one of these decisions were taken at local level.

Planning risk will be minimised by continually evolving strategies to promote sites through the Local Plan process, seeking allocations and gaining consents at a local level, rather than recourse to the Appeals process. 

Water neutrality issues have continued to hold up site sales in affected areas.  However creative onsite technical solutions have been sought and this provided us with an opportunity to sell a 170 home site in Pulborough to Barratt Homes. 

Working Closely With Landowners

Our land team continues to work closely with landowners and land agents and have secured new sites totalling a further 1,227 plots.  The integration of key land and planning personal into Catesby as part of the L&Q acquisition enhances our future land sourcing capabilities even further.

Our target sites are short to medium (2 - 7 years) term with both residential and commercial planning prospects, with high returns on capital invested with a continued focus on the South Midlands, South, South East and East of England.  We continue to be alive to wider opportunities elsewhere where the minimum financial return criteria is met.

Working with local communities remains part of our ethos, and we held our annual volunteering and teambuilding event, this time working with the Sussex Wildlife Trust at Seaford Head which is located close to our Eastbourne site which is currently awaiting determination for 250 new homes.

The sales pipeline for the new financial year looks strong, with four sites with outline planning consent currently under offer to housebuilder partners.  A further five sites are currently being prepared for marketing.

The Catesby team are optimistic about the year ahead and the opportunities available for bringing forward sustainable new residential sites within the context of a new planning environment as a result of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) adopted changes which are expected imminently at the time of writing.

Read more about what's been happening at Catesby Estates in our yearly annual review.