Four New Houses | Four siblings sell a long-held family property to Landhaven via an Option Agreement
For more than 60 years, the O’Dea family owned the site at 47 High Street, Westbury on Trym – a brownfield plot once home to a thriving business and at the heart of the local community.
In recent years, the site had become under-used and deteriorating, with private lock-up garages (85% used for storage rather than cars) and a substandard commercial building in need of significant repair.
When the family began to explore options for the land, they wanted more than a sale – they wanted a legacy: a thoughtful, sustainable redevelopment that would add value to the village they’d long called home.
“We were looking for someone who understood our commitment to leaving a beneficial and lasting legacy for the local area.”
– Peter O’Dea
AS It was...
As it is...
The Future...
Unlocking the Potential of a Hidden Brownfield Site
The O’Deas wanted to find a creative and community-minded solution that would revitalise the site and provide high-quality homes for future generations.
When long-time tenant Craig Short (of Craig Short Building Contractors) mentioned the site’s potential, he connected the family with Andrew Minto, founder of Landhaven – and a trusted local partnership was formed.
Together, we saw the opportunity to turn a neglected corner of Westbury into Court Farm Mews – a secluded development of four premium eco homes and a commercial space, designed to complement the village’s heritage while delivering modern, sustainable living.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Shared Values
The O’Dea family were clear that they didn’t want the stress or financial burden of going through planning, appointing architects, or managing agents. Landhaven proposed an Option Agreement – giving the family a guaranteed sale price and peace of mind, while we took on the entire planning, design, and consultancy process.
This approach:
- Respected the family’s wishes to retain control and legacy value
- Removed their exposure to planning risk or cost
- Ensured a high-quality, sensitive redevelopment aligned with the site’s context
The Challenges
Transforming the site was not without complexity. We had to address:
- Restricted access, turning, and exit points
- On-site parking requirements
- Privacy between neighbouring properties
- Internal space standards
- Asbestos removal and demolition within tight site constraints
A Partnership Built on Trust and Shared Values
Landhaven covered all costs and assembled a trusted team of experts, including:
- Architects to refine design and deliver a full planning application
- Planning consultants, transport and energy specialists, and ecologists to ensure compliance and sustainability
- Craig Short Building Contractors to provide build expertise and local knowledge
After detailed feasibility work, we established how many dwellings could fit the site responsibly, estimated the Gross Development Value (GDV), and calculated the best achievable purchase price for the land.
With the Option Agreement signed, Landhaven took on the responsibility of preparing and submitting an exceptionally high-quality planning application – at no cost or risk to the family.
Engaging with the Community
Both Andrew Minto and Craig Short have been actively reaching out to local residents and businesses, sharing the vision for Court Farm Mews and listening to community feedback. The goal: to ensure the redevelopment benefits the area and reflects Westbury’s cherished village character.
– Flyer outreach to the local community in Westbury Village
“Westbury is Landhaven’s home village, and we couldn’t be more committed to bringing a high-quality development to the area. We’re determined to deliver much-needed homes on our doorstep – for this generation and those to come.”
– Andrew Minto, Landhaven Founder & Director
“Following our success with previous new homes in Westbury, I’m excited to work again with Landhaven – bringing 15 years of building experience to another local project that enhances our village.”
– Craig Short, Building Contractor
Client Reflections
“Peter and I have had a good look at all your plans – the overall design package looks fantastic and very comprehensive. We can clearly see the huge amount of work that has gone into producing these exceptional plans.”
– Maeve O’Dea
“The understanding of our objectives, the advice and input we’ve received, and the service Andrew has delivered throughout the design and planning process have been exemplary – something we could not have achieved without his ongoing help and support.
Andrew went to exhaustive lengths to ensure every aspect of this project was carefully considered from both a client and community perspective. He engaged with all stakeholders on our behalf and addressed potential challenges with positive, practical solutions – delivering an extremely comprehensive planning application for an exciting and sympathetic development that will benefit the local community for years to come.”
– The O’Dea Family
Looking Ahead
The proposed Court Farm Mews development will bring:
- Four new 3-bedroom semi-detached homes
- Private gardens and off-street parking for each dwelling
- Energy-efficient design, including air-source heat pumps, underfloor heating, and photovoltaic panels
- A sustainable, well-connected location in the heart of Westbury on Trym
With planning now granted, visit our Project Page to keep up to date with progress and development updates.
Are You Considering a Similar Opportunity?
If you own land, garden space, or a redundant plot and are exploring how to unlock its potential, Landhaven can help – from feasibility and planning to sale and legacy.
Arrange a chat with Andrew to discuss your options and see how we can help create lasting value for you and your community.
