Brownfield sites potential
January 2010
We have recently unearthed the latent development potential in three brownfield sites – and in doing so have shown what can be achieved from derelict or underused parcels of land that are not typically seen as being ripe for development.
One site is in Bury St Edmunds, where Januarys have helped MPM Investments secure planning permission for nine townhouses.
The other two sites are in Cambridge; Wellington Court, where Januarys and Gibson Developments are working on a project for fourteen studio flats, and Ditton Walk, where the plan is to build seven townhouses on behalf of Blues Property.
In all three cases, the sites are in locations that might otherwise have remained redundant and it is thanks to approach of the developers and to the skill and ingenuity of Januarys that schemes providing new housing have got off the ground.
Commenting on the projects, Colin Brown, Planning Director of Januarys said, "It is well understood that this part of the UK is under extreme housing pressure and it is therefore very important that we make use of every available piece of under-used urban land whilst at the same time ensuring a decent standard of accommodation for future residents.
“In building these homes, the developers are not only revitalising some unloved brownfield plots, but are also in some small way helping to ease the stress on greenfield and green belt sites in the locality.
“All three sites will consist of a mix of market housing and will offer a more sustainable way of living. In the case of the Wellington Street site, this will be entirely car free and residents will be encouraged to use other, more environmentally friendly forms of transport.
"The way brownfield sites are being developed has changed dramatically in recent years and this will be a continuing theme in the next few years, irrespective of whether there is a change in Government. The demand for housing is increasing and the need to build not just homes but supporting infrastructure that is both greener and cleaner is self evident.
"These factors – and others - will have a huge impact on the way developers work in the future and it's critical that they join forces with surveyors and planners who have sufficient innovation, knowledge and experience to see potential in areas where others might not.”