Case Study

The Limes, Coxhoe, County Durham

Phase 1:

  • Part greenfield/part previously developed site of 33 acres
  • Need identified for an element of employment uses as part of a mixed use development in order to comply with national planning policy
  • Viability assessment undertaken to demonstrate market conditions and costs of development resulted in no affordable housing being able to be brought forward as part of development proposals
  • Significant ecological issues with the site including great crested newts; mitigation plan formulated in agreement with County Wildlife Officer and Natural England
  • Extensive community consultation with local Parish Council
  • Local benefits included upgrade of access road and creation of a commemorative garden
  • Outline consent received for 80 residential units and some employment space
  • No affordable housing or s106 legal agreement on other planning gain requirements/contributions
  • Residential land subsequently sold to Barratt Homes

Phase 2:

  • Original consent amended due to change in national planning policy
  • Extensive community consultation with local Parish Council
  • Local benefits included the provision of 2 bungalows, new artwork at the entrance to the development and a contribution towards environmental improvements in the village
  • Further ecological mitigation required
  • Viability assessment updated to demonstrate that market conditions and costs of development resulted in no affordable housing being able to be brought forward as part of the development proposals
  • Planning consent received for a further 47 units, with no affordable housing element
  • Further phase residential land subsequently sold to Barratt Homes, due to the success of the previous phase

Phase 3:

  • Opportunity to extend the site further under revised national planning policy
  • Extensive community consultation with the local Parish Council
  • Local benefits including the provision of affordable housing and a contribution towards further new artwork at the entrance of the development
  • Further ecological mitigation required
  • Outline planning consent received for a further 55 housing units
  • Residential land in the process of being marketed