Oxlease House Romsey
Project overview
The owners of Oxlease House approached Land Quest following a comprehensive search and on a recommendation from adjoining land owners to find a suitable partner for their site. They had also been previously approached by a number of developers and agents, but once again the terms proposed did not work for the land owners.
Immediately after being contacted by the owners, we got straight to work in carrying out a detailed appraisal of the site. We then presented a number of different scenarios to the land owners and agreed a suitable strategy that ensured the interests of both parties were aligned.
How we helped
Our extensive knowledge and experience in this area ensured that all costs were minimised. As part of the planning application process on this site, a number of challenges needed to be resolved and overcome in order to gain officers and members support for our proposals to redevelop the site. Our strategy ensured that the land owners remained in full control of their site throughout and were kept regularly updated and informed throughout every stage of the process.
Following the completion of a number of technical studies and reports on this site, a planning application was submitted for determination by Officers and Members in September 2021. Due to number of factors associated with this site, we had to provide a detailed viability appraisal to justify why no affordable housing could be supported on this site.
Sloping topography of the site required thoughtful design to overcome the challenging nature of the site in order to achieve the quantum of development finally approved.
The site was not located within the urban area and classed as being within the countryside. Detailed and complicated drainage designs needed to be incorporated into the proposals on this site in order to reduce the risk of flooding.
The application was presented to Members of Test Valley Borough Council’s Planning Committee in July 2022, with a resolution to grant permission subject to 2 outstanding items being satisfactorily addressed. These items were subsequently addressed and planning permission was granted on the first attempt for the erection of 35 private market homes in March 2023, 18 months after submission of the planning application.
All costs associated with the compilation of and submission of the detailed planning application on this site were borne by ourselves, further reducing the land owner’s risk.
Key points
- Site located in Market Town of Romsey Hampshire
- Site originally contained 1 large single dwelling and a number of out buildings and garages on a large single plot
- Planning permission has been granted for 35 private residential dwellings set within a gated community comprising a total of 38,804sq ft
- Permission granted within 18 months from submission of planning application
- Site GDV: Circa £18.5m
Mr & Mrs Best, Oxlease House, Cupernham Lane, RomseyDarren ran the process, very effectively, keeping us updated in a timely manner, every hurdle was raised promptly, often with a proposed solution available, making decisions relatively easy - we built up a strong bond of mutual trust with Darren and when things did not always go to plan, he was quick to provide support and propose a way forward. We were very pleased with the services provided by Darren and would have no hesitation in recommending his services in the future.
