Bellway Strategic Land has submitted a planning application to Durham County Council for a 149-home extension to the Seaham Garden Village development. The proposed development includes open space and wildlife improvements. Bellway conducted a public consultation process over the summer to gather feedback on the plans. Martyn Earle, Strategic Land Director, said: “Expanding Seaham Garden Village represents a practical approach towards meeting the area’s housing needs and our proposals will make a logical extension to the project. Bringing more homes to the area would make any additional local services within Seaham Garden Village – such as shops, schools and community facilities – more viable. “Our proposals would bring a wide variety of properties to this sustainable and growing residential area. These would be high-quality and energy-efficient homes, all featuring electric vehicle charging points and solar panels as standard. “The landscaping plans would create areas of open space for residents to enjoy, as well as improving the biodiversity of the site by more than 10 per cent. “The land is not currently allocated for any specific purpose in the Durham Local Plan, but we know that the Local Plan is supportive of development taking place on unallocated sites such as this if it meets the relevant criteria. “We believe this development would create a positive and attractive addition to the original Seaham Garden Village project.” The development plan features a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes including houses and bungalows. There would be 127 properties for private sale and 22 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership, while a total of 98 properties have been designed as accessible and adaptable homes. If the plans are approved, the development will be accessed from a new roundabout on the A182. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Watkin Jones, a leading UK residential developer and manager, has announced the practical completion of its 214-apartment build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Randalls Way, Leatherhead. The development, known as The Oakgate, was forward-funded by Get Living. The scheme comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including 36 affordable homes. As the first BTR development in Leatherhead, The Oakgate is a significant addition to the local housing market. Residents will benefit from the development’s prime location, with easy access to Leatherhead’s shops, restaurants, and nearby attractions such as Leatherhead Park, the River Mole Nature Reserve, and Box Hill. The Oakgate boasts strong environmental credentials, having achieved a Home Quality Mark ‘Level 3’ certification. Sustainable features include air source heat pumps, an enterprise car club, and EV charging points. The development also offers two landscaped courtyards, a children’s play area, and additional play spaces. The scheme is well-connected, with Leatherhead railway station just a short walk away, providing direct train services to Central London in under an hour. Richard Harris, Group Delivery, Managing Director – Group Delivery, Watkin Jones, said: “We are proud to have worked closely with Get Living to deliver Leatherhead’s first BTR development. Together, we have successfully created homes that are not only exceptional places to live for families now but are also built with sustainability and long-term community benefits in mind. “This exemplifies Watkin Jones’ outstanding track record as the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent. By introducing Build to Rent into new locations, we are addressing the urgent need for housing supply during a critical time of shortage.” Rick de Blaby, Chief Executive at Get Living commented: “With new homes for rent in high demand across the country, the practical completion of The Oakgate in Leatherhead is an important milestone as we prepare to launch this new neighbourhood. We have worked closely with Watkin Jones for several years to get to this point, with a shared vision of bringing forward schemes that deliver homes that are high-quality and sustainable for an increasingly broad demographic of renters. “In touching distance of both London and the Surrey countryside, the launch of The Oakgate will bring the benefits of BTR to Leatherhead for the first time, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first residents in the coming months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clarion Housing Group has celebrated the start of construction on a new affordable housing project at 42 Station Road in Colliers Wood, Merton. This development will provide 98 high-quality, energy-efficient homes for social rent, aimed at enhancing the lives of local families. To mark this significant milestone, Brian Ham, Project Director at Clarion Housing Group, was joined by Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development at Merton Council, Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Simon Trice, Managing Director of The Hill Group, and members of both project teams. This visit highlighted the strong partnership between Clarion Housing Group and Merton Council in delivering this transformative project. The new 10 and 13-storey buildings, being developed in partnership with The Hill Group, are located near the picturesque River Wandle and Morden Hall Park. The development will offer a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, each featuring private balconies, modern fitted kitchens with energy-efficient appliances, and a range of amenities. In addition to the residential units, the development will include a landscaped courtyard, a riverside park, play areas, and commercial spaces, creating a thriving community atmosphere. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group said: “We are excited that this pivotal development is underway, highlighting our commitment to providing 100% social rent homes that does not compromise on quality. By partnering with Merton Council and The Hill Group, we are not just constructing buildings at 42 Station Road, but creating a promising, sustainable community where families can thrive.” Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, London Borough of Merton said: “This new development is welcome news for our borough’s families, providing better availability and access to modern, affordable homes that are close to schools, shops, and transport connections in Colliers Wood. “Everyone deserves a place to call home that they’re proud of and meets their needs for the future. We’re doing everything in our power to make sure we can support sustainable growth in our borough to meet increasing demand for housing that is safe, decent and energy efficient. “New homes are part of the council’s approach to tackling the housing crisis locally, and we’re working alongside Clarion to regenerate some of our estates as well as building the first new council homes in a generation.” Harvinder Dhami, Regional Director at The Hill Group, commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Clarion Housing Group on this significant project. Our joint efforts are focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that will greatly benefit the Merton community. This development represents our commitment to building not just homes, but new communities.” Strategically situated within walking distance of essential amenities and excellent transportation links, including the Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon Underground Stations, the development ensures residents have everything they need within reach. The locality also boasts excellent schools, retail options, and health facilities, making it an ideal choice for families looking to put down roots in Merton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Persimmon Homes are preparing to deliver 68 new houses on their recently secured land in Wiltshire, as part of Highfield Gardens. The housebuilder’s Wessex region will transform the Hilperton-based site, on the north-eastern edge of Trowbridge, into ‘Highfield Gardens’. It will include a mix of homes, which will all feature sustainable infrastructure such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, and 20 affordable units, responding to the varied needs of local first-time buyers and families. The land, which was allocated for housing in the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan, was carefully designed in collaboration with the Local Planning Authority and other key stakeholders to reflect and enhance the local character of the area. Persimmon Wessex Deputy Managing Director, Seb Spiller, said: “We’re delighted to have acquired this prime site in Hilperton, which will allow us to deliver much-needed, high-quality homes for local people in the area. “Working closely with Wiltshire Council, we’ve created a vision that preserves local character, supports biodiversity and enhances connectivity, all while providing a mix of housing options for a diverse range of buyers. “We look forward to commencing on site early in 2025 as we continue our positive track-record across Wiltshire delivering sustainable communities and quality homes for local people.” The scheme will preserve existing habitats for bats, retain trees and hedgerows, and introduce new planting to support local wildlife. Over 100 new trees, wildflower grasslands, and dedicated biodiversity features such as bird and bat boxes will be added to the site. Highfield Gardens will also provide areas of green public open space, including a new children’s play area, ensuring recreational spaces for families and the wider community. The project will, via a Section 106 agreement and the Community Infrastructure Levy, also see Persimmon provide significant financial contributions totalling over £1.4 million towards local infrastructure improvements including schools, highway works and improvements to Hilperton Village Hall. Construction is set to begin in February, with Highfield Gardens poised to deliver new, high-quality homes and a lasting positive impact for the Hilperton and Trowbridge communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals