Savills planning and project management teams have pooled expertise to secure reserved matters approval for the latest phases of a major new development in Cambridgeshire.
Savills was instructed by longstanding client David Wilson Homes to seek permission for 536 homes as part of the Phase 3 proposals for Highflyer Farm near Ely.
The applications – part of the wider East Cambridgeshire Local Plan Strategic Urban Extension – also included a spine road to run through the site, a new road junction, public open space, landscaping, drainage and ecological enhancements.
Savills national strategic development team acted on behalf of the landowner in the sale of the site to David Wilson Homes, while the planning and project management teams acted for David Wilson Homes in securing planning consent.
Planners were tasked with obtaining reserved matters approval by providing a large-scale development scheme of exceptionally high sustainability credentials and design quality, which met and exceeded the various requirements and targets set by planning policy and guidance and various statutory stakeholders.
The multi-discipline approach featured a planning team led by Oxford’s David Bainbridge supported by Ian Taylor from the Cambridge office, alongside Savills Oxford’s project management team led by Emily Slupek with support from Samantha Jason.
David said: “It was essential that we were able to engage with officers and various stakeholders to deliver a scheme which was not only satisfactory, but exceeded policy requirements and expectations. In particular, our teams kept in close and regular contact with planning officers at East Cambridgeshire District Council, alongside design and highways officers at Cambridgeshire County Council.
“This level of liaison between Savills and the various stakeholders ensured we were able to undertake a robust design evolution process, which ultimately satisfied all parties and resulted in an approval with a minimal number of conditions.
“The resultant planning permission will allow for the delivery of a significant number of new dwellings within an extant development-plan which is recognised as a highly sustainable location and a ‘right place’ for new strategic housing development in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and the local development plan.”
Emily added: “Our working relationship allowed for several consultation phases during the course of the council’s consideration of the application – with the evolution of the design of the scheme complying with planning policy and good planning practice.
“As a result of feedback and comments from statutory consultees, interest groups and neighbours to the site, the proposed scheme was altered and amended on two occasions to address the comments received and deliver enhancements and improvements.”
