The Hill Group acquires 71 acres in Buckinghamshire

November 1, 2024

The Hill Group has announced the acquisition of 71 acres of land with outline planning for a significant new settlement in Little Chalfont, south-east Buckinghamshire. The acquisition of the former golf club site and neighbouring property was facilitated by the acquisition of two local landowner companies, Biddulph (Buckinghamshire) Ltd. and Homestead (REL) Ltd. The sale was undertaken by CBRE.

Nestled in the serenity of Home County countryside, Little Chalfont Park will boast thoughtful placemaking, scenic landscaping and woodland vistas, accompanied by attractive architecture inspired by the local vernacular. The masterplan for the development includes up to 380 new low-carbon private sale and affordable homes, a single-form entry primary school, a retirement village, a care home, sports and play facilities, a community centre, a health surgery, and a local convenience store, all set within significant green open space.

Plans for the development include 152 affordable homes (40%), with 80 for affordable rent, 34 for shared ownership, and 38 one-bedroom first homes discounted to 70% of their market value. The plans also include allocation for a retirement village of up to 100 homes, a care home for 60 residents and 15 custom-built plots, making this a landmark development providing homes for people at all stages of life; from first-time buyers through to families, retirees, and those needing later-life care.

Sustainability will be a central focus of the gas-free development, with dwellings designed to reduce operational carbon emissions through energy-efficient and renewable technologies including air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels on roofs, and electric vehicle charging points for all properties. In addition, all homes will meet a water efficiency standard of no more than 100 litres per person per day.

Hill will actively boost the site’s biodiversity through a programme of new tree planting, the preservation of Stoney Deane and other ancient woodlands, and the creation of 10 hectares of suitable alternative natural green space (SANG), including pedestrian and cycle paths, to promote healthy living. This will be further promoted via the inclusion of parks, allotments, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) together with several play areas throughout the development.

Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, comments: “At Hill, we’re committed to building not just homes, but thriving communities where people of all ages love to live. The acquisition of this stunning site in Little Chalfont represents a unique opportunity to do just that, creating a vibrant, multi-generational village extension with a comprehensive range of essential community services and amenities woven into the fabric of the local area.

“Little Chalfont already boasts a strong sense of community, and we’re committed to working closely with residents and other local stakeholders to ensure our development complements and enriches the existing landscape. We’re excited to embark on this journey with the Little Chalfont community, and we look forward to bringing this new development vision to life.”

Jasper Masters, Executive Director at CBRE said: “Little Chalfont Park is regarded by many in the industry as the best housing development site to transact in the UK in 2023. It’s an exemplar deal which will act as a bellwether of the residential land market, as well as being a testament to the foresight of our landowner clients over many years.”

“After acting for our clients through the successful Planning Appeal, CBRE marketed the site during the summer months to a UK and overseas audience and had substantial interest from housebuilders, developers, funds, and global capital. This transaction is evidence that even in a more challenging market, there remains a flight to quality for top sites.”

To increase permeability in and out of the development and improve access to travel hubs, Hill plans to create a new pedestrian and cycleway onto nearby Oakington Avenue. The new thoroughfare will create a convenient five-minute walking route to Chalfont and Latimer Train Station, with direct services transporting commuters to London Marylebone in around 35 minutes. The development is also a short car journey from the nearby M40 and M25 motorways, giving motorists swift access to London, the Midlands, and the North.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside and encircled by major towns and cities in all directions, Little Chalfont is perfectly positioned to offer residents a tranquil countryside lifestyle coupled with convenient access to popular local destinations and the rich amenities they have to offer.

Families with children will be well catered for too, with a selection of high-performing educational institutions in the local area. Little Chalfont Primary School, located on nearby Oakington Avenue and only a few minutes’ walk from the development, is rated Ofsted Outstanding. For older children, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School for Girls is located in Little Chalfont, and Dr Challoner’s Grammar School for Boys is situated in the nearby town of Amersham, both are rated Ofsted Outstanding.

For those who enjoy getting out into the wider countryside, Little Chalfont borders many parks and conservation areas, including Little Chalfont Nature Park, Latimer Park, and Frogmore Meadows Nature Reserve. A little further afield are the rolling Chiltern Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which offer a multitude of scenic trails and possess unique geological, ecological, and cultural heritage features.
Hill will submit a series of reserved matters planning applications for the development by autumn 2024, starting on site in the spring of 2025. The build phase is planned to last six years, with the final completions expected by spring/summer 2031.

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