One of our most ambitious strategic land projects to date
This strategic land project to secure planning consent for an extensive mixed-use development on farmland lying to the east of Horndean in Portsmouth was undoubtedly one of our most ambitious to date. Our plans, which we submitted jointly with Cala Homes, would feature almost 700 new homes, a care village, community facilities, including a school, shops and allotments, all set among 25 acres of playing fields and woodland spaces.
Collaboration was pivotal to the success of this landmark project
A collaborative approach to meeting the housing requirement for the village
East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) initial public consultation event identified the Land East of Horndean as one of a number of sites within and surrounding the village that had been promoted by developers and agents for housing to address ‘a minimum of 700 dwellings’ requirement in its recently adopted Local Plan: Joint Core Strategy.
Highwood was instrumental in delivering a perfect solution for the Council to resolve this housing requirement. We immediately addressed the need to secure suitable land for the project and launched a campaign that included obtaining input from the Council and local residents to help bring the site to life.
Far-reaching employment opportunities for the community
We proposed an exciting development of 693 new homes, included a much-needed 40 per cent affordable housing quotient to meet the housing requirement for the village. We also suggested essential improvements to Horndean’s infrastructure along with a prestigious care village, sports facilities and a new primary school that would be boosted by far-reaching employment opportunities for the local community.
EHDC’s planning committee granted outline planning consent for the scheme; thanks largely to the collaborative approach that was applied consistently from the outset of this landmark scheme. Indeed, this approach was to prove pivotal when the detailed application for the care village was submitted in 2021.
An aerial view of this incredible site
A prestigious care village was proposed in 2021
The final chapter begins
Highwood continued to promote the retirement village through EHDC’s Local Plan with consent granted in 2021. The plans comprised a 60-bedroom care home, 120 Assisted Living units and a village care centre with wellness centre, spa, swimming pool, restaurant and other new facilities. The site purchase completed shortly after with an agreement in place to deliver Phase One with leading care partner, Barchester Healthcare, for the 60-bedroom care home. In 2023, as work on the project completed, Highwood’s subsequent second-phase submission for the retirement village was made.
Fast forward to 2025 when the stunning new retirement village opened the doors to its first residents and Highwood’s development of a new community of 82 homes on the remaining parcel of land began, marking the final chapter of this remarkable site’s journey.