Hello readers,
Things seem to have been rather quiet on the new developments front recently (possibly this was a knock-on lag from the pandemic), however I have been reading up about a large new development in Lordswood at Gibraltar Farm.
Those who have been around a while will know that this development is not new, and plans were first submitted in 2014, however after two public inquiries the developers, FD Attwood and Partners have now resubmitted their plans.
Part of the issue appears to be around a strip of land the developers wanted to use for access, however after the second attempt returned in March 2022, it was concluded that the developer had not demonstrated that species of bats would not be adversely affected along a proposed access route for pedestrians and cyclists. This is the small section outlined below:
It will be interesting to see how this progresses, as there appear to be over 800 letters of objection to the application and, as local Bredhurst Parish Council chairman Vanessa Jones explained:
The changes to the application were “very minor” and commented that “It’s very difficult for anybody to understand because the changes are so minor, but basically what they are doing is addressing what the inspector failed it on last time.”
Regardless of this disagreement, let’s look at what the proposed development consists of and the place to start is with the specific details. So, the development includes:
- 450 Market and affordable dwellings
- Nursery and supporting retail space up to 85 sqm
- Provision of main access to Ham Lane; estate roads; cycle and pedestrian routes
- Residential and community open space and landscaping
What’s interesting is how, as you go through the planning documents there doesn’t appear to be a breakdown of how the dwellings will be allocated (ie: houses, flats etc). What the documents do outline is that houses will be two to five bedroom and that flats will be one and two beds.
There are also no CGIs of the properties, just a design style and outline drawings. The design style is to be:
- On plot parking driveway to be 3.5m wide for each home.
- Predominantly semi-detached houses with on-plot parking space in between.
- Hip of pitched roofs to face the street with open gable ends facing the street at key locations such as corners of streets and junctions.
- Continuous frontage to street consisting of similar typology dwellings.
With materials being:
- HOUSES: Predominantly buff and red brickwork with soldier course details. Metal clad dormer windows and grey roof tiles.
- FLATS: Mix of brick and vertical weatherboarding. Metal balconies with vertical bars.
In terms of the dwelling outlines, you can see what these will be below.
Houses
Flats
It’s certainly interesting to see how, whilst outline planning was granted back in 2018, it seems to be this small plot for access that’s holding up proceedings. As property investors, we will know all too well the challenges of such seemingly trivial issues and how they can hold up projects!
This development is another positive sign for property investors as it helps to highlight the potential (we all know exists) within Medway, and I will keep my eyes out for updates as this one progresses through the final stages of planning.
What do you think to this scheme? I’d also be keen to know – it’s certainly an interesting planning application when compared to others that I’ve read and with a large amount of time having passed since being submitted, it will be interesting to see if there are any changes when spades go into the ground.
Hasan
