Following a brace of good news stories in December, 2022 started with a flourish for Urban Edge and our continued relationship with Inspired Villages. Firstly, our reserved matters submission for the first phase of Inspired Villages’ proposed Integrated Retirement Community (IRC) at Little Mount Farm, Tunbridge Wells, received unanimous approval from the planning committee. After the scheme was initially refused planning, we worked tirelessly with the client and project team to develop updated proposals that responded to the feedback received from the local planning officers and planning committee to guarantee planning would be approved the second time around. We are currently in the process of developing the technical design for the scheme which is targeting a start towards the end of this year.
Little Mount Farm Retirement Community, Tunbridge Wells
Our second good news story was the securing of planning approval for our Integrated Retirement Community scheme for Inspired Villages at Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire. Originally submitted back in 2019, the scheme was initially refused; however a subsequent appeal successfully demonstrated the fulfilment of a need for older persons accommodation in West Oxfordshire and that the development was suitable within the context of the Chilterns AONB. Following the resolution of subsequent legal challenges we look forward to developing the approved scheme in greater detail for a targeted start on site in the fourth quarter of this year.
Sonning Common Retirement Community, Oxfordshire
Finally, we have been assisting Inspired Villages with their future development site in Great Leighs which was exchanged just before Christmas. This site will form part of Inspired Villages’ drive to deliver 34 villages for the over 65s in the next ten years. These recent schemes build further on our close working relationship with Inspired Villages as we continue to help drive their development pipeline forwards. We have an exciting 12 months ahead, with new development schemes coming online and the continuing delivery on site of the first Net Zero Carbon (*regulated energy) Integrated Retirement Communities in Millfield Green, Caddington and Ampfield Meadows, Chandlers Ford.