– The site has been sold to Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Eastern Counties division, with outline permission for up to 1,000 homes, a new school, retail and employment space –

Catesby Estates, a leading strategic land promoter, has completed the sale of Straits Mill, a 162 acre site in Braintree, Essex, to Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties.

The site was secured by Catesby Estates as part of the recent acquisition of L&Q Estates in August 2024. Five landowners entered into a promotion agreement in 2017, ahead of the team securing an allocation in Braintree Council’s adopted Local Plan, working through several technical constraints and subsequently receiving outline planning approval in 2021.

The 162 acre site has been sold to Barratt and David Wilson Homes with outline consent for up to 1,000 new homes including 30% affordable housing, land for a primary school and early years provision, as well as a local retail centre and employment space that can be transformed into offices or industrial units.

A network of cycling and pedestrian facilities are also set to be introduced, alongside improvements to the river walk to the south of the site.

During the construction phase this site is expected to create 800 direct and indirect new jobs, and around a further 40 once the educational facilities are established.

Adrian Clack, Group Land Director at Catesby Estates, comments: “Straits Mill is an impressive site but it also came with a number of technical and title challenges and so it is testament to the team for securing its allocation within the Council’s adopted Local Plan and subsequently receiving outline consent for a scheme that will have long lasting benefits for its residents and surrounding community. Catesby Estates is now delighted to have sold the land to Barratt and David Wilson Homes, and we look forward to seeing the company transform the site into a thriving new community.

“This announcement comes as we gear up to what we expect to be an exceptional year for Catesby Estates. The acquisition of L&Q Estates has played a significant role in us achieving this success as not only have we gained impressive new talent but the quality of, and demand for, its additional sites has allowed us to cement our position as one of the leading strategic land promoters in the UK.”

Matthew Lees, Development Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, adds: “Straits Mill is an exciting acquisition that will be a cornerstone development for us. The site will allow us to deliver our quality brands of Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Redrow, offering homes for first-time buyers, families, and those looking for high-quality, energy-efficient living spaces. 

“We thank Catesby Estates for securing this complex but exciting opportunity and look forward to delivering a healthy new community environment in which to live and work within Braintree, set within open green spaces and woodland, with sports and play areas, cycleways, bridleway and walking routes to enjoy, as well as new community facilities and infrastructure.”

During the sale, Shakespeare Martineau acted for Catesby Estates and the landowners were represented by Strutt & Parker (BNP Paribas Real Estate) Savills and Tees Law. Osborne Clarke LLP advised Barratt and David Wilson Homes.

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