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.
A collaborative approach to meeting the housing requirement for the village
East Hampshire District Council’s 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 East Hampshire District 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.
East Hampshire District Council’s planning committee granted outline planning consent for the scheme; thanks largely to a collaborative approach that undoubtedly contributed to the Council’s decision. A detailed application for the care village is due to be submitted soon.
Summer 2021 update:
Highwood continued to promote the retirement village through East Hants District Council’s Local Plan and was successfully awarded Outline Planning in February 2021. The plans comprise a 60-bedroom care home and 120 Assisted Living units as well as a village care centre, which includes a wellness centre, spa, swimming pool, restaurant and other new facilities, with the first phase Reserved Matters for the care home consented shortly afterwards in March.
In June 2021, the team successfully completed on their purchase of the site, with an agreement now in place to deliver the first phase with our leading care partner, Barchester Healthcare, for the 60-bedroom care home. Work on the site is scheduled to commence in October 2021 with completion of the care home expected in summer 2023. Highwood’s submission for the second phase Reserved matters for the retirement village will be made in the autumn.