The Cleve Park proposals were jointly promoted by Landform and its long-term partner Welbeck Strategic Land. Development of the 350-home site also includes a 70-bed care home, 14 self-build plots and 1,050 sqm of community and commercial facilities.
Planning consent for the 350 dwelling project was allowed on appeal in May 2018 but was subject to several Judicial Review challenges by South Gloucestershire Council however, the last of these challenges was dismissed by the High Court in early 2019 meaning that the project could proceed.
South Gloucestershire Council has an admitted 5-year housing supply shortfall and both Thornbury and the Cleve Park site had been identified in the emerging West of England JSP and the South Gloucestershire draft Local Plan as the preferred location for housing. Securing planning consent still proved to be a challenge and involved two local plan reviews, a public inquiry and two appearances at the High Court to fend off NIMBY based resistance from the local council.
Interest to purchase the consented site was intense and came from a wide range of national and regional house builders, which resulted in a very competitive bidding process. The high level of interest shown in the site reflects the chronic shortage of good quality housing land in the Bristol area, which is enjoying high demand and buoyant market conditions.
The area managing director for Miller Homes Midlands, Danny O’Connor, talking to the Thornbury Gazette is quoted as saying “Demand for homes is high around Bristol, so we are pleased this development will contribute to the overall housing stock in this area.”
At the point of sale, Matt Blaken, the Landowners’ Agent, said “We highly commend Landform who committed to an agreement when others would not and they were tenacious in progressing the site through the planning process, winning a Planning Appeal and two High Court challenges. Landform’s dealings were transparent when the land was sold, and they allowed the landowner to remain part of the decision-making process. As a result best value was achieved for all.”
