New Homes Surrey
New Homes at Sondes Place Farm, Surrey
The development of land in Surrey at Sondes Place Farm shows how persistence and professionalism pays off. LandPro Consultant’s latest project success has seen planning consent granted for 144 stunning new homes in Surrey in a beautiful green belt location. It shows how our persistent yet professional approach pays off in the long term.
Stunning site for stunning homes!
At LandPro we often dream of the perfect development site …. and this one comes pretty close! Located on the fringes of Dorking, Surrey, the 20 acre (8 ha) Sondes Place Farm site has absolutely everything going for it.
Dorking is an affluent, much sought after market town set amongst the Surrey Hills National Landscape. It has good commuter access to London (21 miles, 1 hour by train), and elsewhere in the south east, to the M25, to Heathrow and Gatwick and to the south coast. The site itself adjoins open countryside, and is within walking distance of the town centre and many other amenities. Well regarded local schools are literally on the doorstep of the site. The seller was motivated to sell. And, as sites of this high quality rarely become available in the south east, we knew buyers would be even keener to buy and develop this outstanding site.
Site issues
It would be fair to say that most sites – especially top quality sites – have issues to some degree. Yet, every site is different. So a unique approach is needed to each.
An issue which affects many sites – including this one – is that reaching a successful outcome usually takes time, often many years. In the intervening period much can change, and not only land values. Factors such as local plans, housing targets and – increasingly today – environmental or green issues can change considerably as the years pass.
A particular issue with Sondes Place Farm was one that always affects green belt locations. But this one had a very unique complication: The site had been allocated for development by Mole Valley District Council in their new draft local plan. As such it should have represented an easy home run for all concerned. But some complex technicalities meant that status was effectively withdrawn, putting the whole future of the project (and its value to the seller) into doubt.
A relatively straightforward development suddenly became a much more complex one. It was time for the professionals to earn their keep!
Planning application, refusal and appeal
In February 2023 an outline planning application, with all matters reserved save access to the highway, was made to Mole Valley District Council.
Despite the undoubted quality of the scheme the application was flatly refused – in accordance with the then status of the land – in June 2023. Reasons centred around the green belt status of the site and its location just outside the current settlement boundary of Dorking. The local council adjudged it to be an ‘inappropriate development’ which would be harmful to the green belt, and an ‘undesirable extension’ of the town into valued open agricultural land.
An appeal was subsequently launched. In November 2023 the Planning Inspector, paying due regard to the shortage of and need for new housing in the area and especially affordable homes, overruled the local authority. Consent for the project was granted.
The approved scheme comprises 144 new homes including 50% affordable properties, a school drop off/pick up area, some Gypsy and Traveller pitches (0.2ha), landscaping, public open space, environmental measures and associated infrastructure.
Project update – where are we now
Following the successful outcome of the appeal LandPro Consultants marketed the site extensively. An informal tender process was launched. Both were designed to maximise the value of the site for the seller. A sale to a major developer was quickly agreed. Contracts were exchanged in June 2024 – something of an achievement being just one year after consent was initially refused.
Just recently, the developer has concluded consultations with the local community and hopes to submit the necessary reserved matters planning application to the local authority in the autumn. The brand new homes at Sondes Place Farm should be taking shape sometime in 2025.
Key takeaways – LandPro delivers
Sondes Place Farm illustrates how there is no one size fits all solution with a land and new homes development. Each one is different. It also illustrates how persistence and professionalism pay off with this type of project.
Land owners and sellers should always regard their land sale as a long term proposal and plan well ahead accordingly. Professional advisers need to be able to stay the course, and also be dynamic. They need to respond to changing circumstances as the project unfolds in order to obtain best value for their landowners.
Sondes Place Farm initially emerged as a potential development site in 2010 and it was first promoted in 2012. At LandPro, we could always see the immense potential such a wonderful development site had – even when tricky, technical planning issues arose that threatened the entire project. These issues may have deterred others – but not LandPro Consultants!
This project was a perfect example of exactly why we take a bespoke, dynamic and hands on approach to every case. After the first stages of locating land, dealing with planning legislation and other we work carefully with our clients and all other stakeholders to pursue an expert strategy that can cater for any eventuality. And more often than not our persistent and professional approach pays dividends.
LandPro Consultants – a unique approach
LandPro Consultants, a trading name of Land & Brand New Homes, have become leaders in the field – and our advice, planning strategies, brokerage and consultancy have become invaluable and highly regarded – due to our unique leadership team. We are an independent family business owned and run by accomplished property entrepreneur Bob Hilder and business partner Heather Hilder-Darling, a real estate expert in her own right.
Bringing together more than three decades of estate agency and property development expertise we take great pride in the positive relationships we have with our many clients. (Particularly important in an industry where reputation really means something.)
Working closely on a daily basis with an established, experienced in-house team, Bob and Heather are well known for the way they utilise tact and diplomacy …. together with patience and persistence. (Talents which, in negotiations surrounding new developments today, are often sorely needed!)
Advice and information
Are you a landowner looking to sell surplus land, or need advice, or a property company sourcing development land for sale? Contact us by calling: 01903 692952. Email us: info@landproconsultants.co.uk