Good Design In Land Promotion And Why It Matters

Good Design and Land Promotion: Why it matters in delivering new homes for the next generation

Selecting a land promoter to act on your behalf when promoting your site through the planning system for future development is a big decision, says Catesby's Design Manager, Laura Aldridge.

Having an established and highly experienced in-house urban design team at Catesby Estates sets us apart from many land promoters working in the sector.

Involved as soon as a site becomes part of our portfolio, then throughout the planning and final sale process to housebuilders, good design is an integral part of our strategy when it comes to securing a high quality planning consent.

Exploring opportunities for new homes

As a design team, we visit all our active sites at the earliest opportunity to enable us to fully understand the key features and surrounding area in which the site is located.

Desktop and technical analysis work with specialist consultants helps us to establish a set of site specific, sustainable and responsive principles, which then underpin the design and overarching vision for the future development.  

We explore opportunities to form links from the site into the wider area to make sure new and existing communities can move safely and easily between home and local destinations, encouraging walking, cycling and public transport use over the use of private motor vehicles to further support sustainable development.

Design and building beauty is in the eye of the beholder

You cannot have failed to hear in the national press about the  Government’s agenda for beauty in new development design.

What this means in practical terms is yet to be formalised for such a subjective matter, but here at Catesby Estates we analyse local characteristics such as density, history and architectural details, which are then used to inform the approach to design on the site.

We also look to local and national planning policy guidance and design standards, as well as having knowledge of local housebuilder requirements and designs which all have a further influence on design.

Working with our in-house consultation team we explore local needs and public views about what might be missing in a local area.  Years of undertaking effective community engagement and public consultation events mean we don’t shy away from difficult conversations and are always happy to connect with residents, community groups, elected representatives and other key stakeholders.

This enables us to better understand any local issues and seek to offer real tangible community benefits through our designs.

Designing the Masterplan

As a result our design proposals are responsive to the site’s features, local setting and the needs of local communities.

Working with our in-house colleagues, and our strong relationships with other professionals working in the land promotion sector (such as specialist transport, drainage, ecology, heritage, and landscape consultants­) means our designs take into account all the key factors which can prevent development coming forward if not dealt with at an early design stage.

It’s not just about creating a pretty picture

Designing is not just making a land site look pretty, it involves thorough research, engagement, testing concepts, and balancing placemaking with technical disciplines and other objectives which can be quite the juggling act!

Time spent on design in the early stages of the development process can save time and money later on in the process.

Here at Catesby, as designers we want to create places that we would be proud to live in and will bring benefits to the local community.

We ensure that every scheme is deliverable, viable, attractive, policy compliant and sympathetic to it wider surroundings.  Our high-quality drawings, visuals and documentation enable us to help build secure outline planning consents

By designing development in the right way, we can leave a positive legacy for the area, and build a level of trust as a preferred land promoter.

Find out more about Laura and the wider Catesby Estates team here.

Thinking about land promotion for your land site?

We’re actively seeking strategic land sites to add to our land promotion portfolio.

With a proven track record and strong success rate, landowners across the country are encouraged to contact us to find out how we could help you maximise the value of your land.

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