Greenfield land adjacent to towns will be targeted by developers for new developments, following the introduction of the new National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) published tomorrow, according to a leading land promoter which works closely with farmers and other landowners.
Cheshire-based Gladman, which is presently promoting some 30 sites with more than 10,000 housing plots, says that the renewed focus on sustainable development will make some greenfield land adjacent to towns appropriate to develop, and therefore potentially release its full value.
’In stark contrast to the long term option led approach of the housebuilders, we partner with landowners and already have an 80% success rate in gaining planning permissions in less than two years. We believe this will increase under the new framework, as many brownfield sites, which would previously have to be developed first, are now ruled out as being too remote and therefore unsustainable,’ says David Gladman Director of Gladman Developments Ltd.
’However the ’flood gates’ will not be opened. It does not follow that all greenfield sites next to towns will be developed, as the need for additional housing in the town, and the location and sustainability of the site need to be proven, and this will continue to take a lot of hard professional work and substantial cost.’ But, landowners who previously believed their edge of town sites would have to wait for a long time until brownfield sites had been developed, may now be pleasantly surprised.
’To succeed under the new NPPF, greenfields developments will themselves have to be sustainable and contribute to the wider community by providing new facilities, such as schools, shops, leisure facilities, parks, or playing fields.
’Landowners who do get a planning consent will also see additional benefits provided to their local community in the jobs which will be created by the new development and the additional cash it will bring into the town, boosting the local economy in the short and long term.
’In fact with three million new homes required in the next 12 years, it is a win-win situation for landowners and everyone whose desires to live in an affordable family home in their town.’
