A Family’s Wish to Unlock Land Value After Loss
With perseverance and a healthy dose of creativity, we turned derelict scrubland in Alveston on the South Gloucestershire Green Belt into a valuable asset generating a regular monthly income for our client and creating an exciting new-build project for us.
The path to getting planning permission is often a rocky one. So it’s no surprise that figuring out what to do with a plot of scrubland fraught with complex planning issues fell into the “we’ll sort it one day” category for the Gardner family.
Unfortunately for the landowner (a retired builder who had a good relationship with Landhaven) this time never came after he sadly fell ill and passed away. But before he died, we promised him that we would help his family persevere with the project and do our best to get the permission needed to turn the plot into value for them.
Expert Planning Strategy to Navigate Access and Objections
Applying our usual tenacity and expertise, we set about preparing the most robust planning application possible. There were significant issues to tackle – not only was the land located in the South Gloucestershire Green Belt and wildly overgrown, but its only access was via a lane with no registered owner that also served as a public right of way and bridleway.
We brought in several specialists to help us unlock the puzzle of the access road, including an expert Planning and Highways Consultant. Rather than a case officer making the decision, our application went to the Planning Committee, and we had a major meeting on-site to answer their questions. Local residents, Alveston Parish Council and the local Ward Councillor raised several objections. Thankfully, our Planning Consultant was able to defend our proposals and clearly explain both the rationale and overall benefit of the homes. The Planning Committee eventually voted on a motion to grant us planning permission, that carried 6-1 in our favour.
The plot at land at Alveston before development
From Derelict Land to Valuable Asset – Planning Success Achieved
Having worked closely with the builder’s family to secure planning permission, we were offered first refusal to purchase the land – an opportunity for which we remain ever grateful. Our original plan was to pay the absolute maximum for the site once the houses were built and cover all the costs ourselves. This appealed to the family, as they were in no rush for the money.
However, circumstances changed. After speaking to their financial advisor, the family decided they would prefer payment upfront rather than wait until the homes were finished. We agreed on a new price but not before asking why the change of mind. Like many people, the Gardner family wanted to put their money to work sooner, investing it more traditionally in conventional financial products. Looking into the returns and risks of these products, we soon realised we could offer something much more competitive and secure.
How Landhaven Helped Unlock Long-Term Value and Income
We offered the family the same attractive investment returns we provide to our investors, with the added benefit of monthly interest payments. The arrangement was simple: the family sold the land to us and reinvested the proceeds into Landhaven. This allowed us to fund the early stages of the development while providing the builder’s elderly widow with a secure, regular monthly income – significantly above market rates. Her investment was fully secured against the land, with the flexibility to withdraw her capital at any point upon giving us notice.
Our landowner sells for a great price and gets a low risk, regular income paying investment that beats market interest rates. We get an exciting and rewarding new-build project. Now that’s what we call a win-win!
In line with her wishes, her full capital sum has now been returned along with the interest earned.
Meanwhile, the build and sale of two eco bungalows on the land is progressing well.
At Landhaven, our projects are based on strong design principles, quality craftsmanship, and unwavering respect for the environment and the local community. If you’re looking for collaborative property development opportunities that maximise potential and work well for all involved, get in touch.
