Northamptonshire development leads East Midlands growth
The Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Plan was first launched in 2001 but over the past 12 months we have actively started to see significant development activity for various clients across the county.
The delivery vehicles of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and North Northamptonshire Together have been charged with the responsibility of overseeing the growth strategy. The scale and pace of development is undoubtedly far beyond anything that has been experienced elsewhere.
The opportunities for development extend to a large number of farmers and landowners as almost always schemes require substantial land assembly from a number of owners, not only for the land to be developed but also for infrastructure and environmental mitigation.
We have advised a large number of owners on residential, commercial, infrastructure and mitigation works. This has taken the form of option agreements, land promotion agreements and direct sales. What has been evident is that our local knowledge and contact with the developers has proved critical in achieving the right results for our clients. If you believe that your land is capable of part of this strategic development the key points to consider are:
• Beware of developers and agents who claim to be able to promote your land. Make sure they really understand the background to the strategic view and the detailed local issues
• Ensure your agent and other professional advisers work as a team and have the relevant experience to prepare the correct agreements
• Understand your position in the wider land assembly particularly where you are required for infrastructure or mitigation purposes
• Ensure you understand the basis of contribution to infrastructure and other offsite works
• Understand how your land is to be valued particularly where it is part of a complex land assembly deal
• Reserve opportunities for you to provide utilities such as heat and power. This could provide a valuable long term revenue stream.
There are several large development projects now in the planning system and many more will come through over the next 5 to 10 years. Many of these schemes however require a long term strategic approach and in this respect the recently released East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy is a key document in setting out the parameters and amounts of development that will take place over the next 20 years. Northamptonshire continues to be a key growth area, but the Strategy sees also significant development projections across the East Midlands as a whole. Major urban expansions are identified to the south of Nottingham, to the north and west of Leicester and to the south of Derby.
Fisher German has a wide experience of development agreements and detailed local and regional knowledge of the planning issues. Should you wish to discuss the potential of your land in Northamptonshire please contact Henry Sale on 01858 410200 or, on any general planning matters, contact Kay Davies on 01530 412821.
- Ashby de la Zouch
- 01530 412821
- Banbury
- 01295 271 555
- Knutsford
- 01565 757970
- Market Harborough
- 01858 410 200
- Newark
- 01949 851815
- Southampton
- 02380 883150
- Stafford
- 01785 220 044
- Worcester
- 01905 453275
