FG Foresite - Issue 05 - Spring 2025 - NEW STYLE V9 by fishergermanllp

Foresite

Birmingham’s newest luxury apartment scheme

PAGE 2 Recent new instructions SEE PAGE 3 Navigating Biodiversity Net Gain

PAGE 3 Development sales

PAGE 4

Successful launch event Millbridge development by Elan Homes

Fisher German has been involved with the Millbridge project for over four years, starting with the promotion of the land through North Warwickshire Borough Council’s Local Plan and securing outline planning permission for twenty-four homes. Our in-depth knowledge of the site made us the ideal choice to market these exceptional new homes in Shuttington.

Millbridge is now officially launched, and we are thrilled to announce that our open event on April 26th and 27th was a resounding success! The event attracted a fantastic turnout, with prospective buyers eager to explore the development and learn more about the homes available. The positive feedback we received was overwhelming and we are excited to share that the event also led to a number of reservations.

The development features an exclusive selection of twenty-four homes, ranging from 2 to 5 bedrooms, each thoughtfully designed with the modern homeowner in mind. Following the success of the open event, over 200 people have now registered for more information, and interest continues to grow.

A selection of homes on the first phase are now available for sale, and we are proud to see this project come to life.

Nestled in a peaceful rural setting, Millbridge offers the perfect balance of countryside tranquillity and modern living. Located just a short distance from Tamworth, this development is ideal for those seeking a serene rural lifestyle with convenient access to contemporary amenities and luxuries.

01530 410840

midlandsagency@fishergerman.co.uk

New Homes Week round-up: Celebrating community

During New Homes Week, we spotlighted the importance of community within new build developments. Moving into a new home is about more than just the property itself; it’s about starting a new chapter, connecting with neighbours, forming new friendships, and building a vibrant community together.

Throughout the week, we shared valuable tips on how to settle into a new build community. From getting to know your neighbours to participating in local events, these tips were designed to help residents feel at home and become active members of their new communities.

We also highlighted several new developments that feature thoughtfully designed community spaces. These spaces, including parks, playgrounds, and communal gardens, are created to foster connection, relaxation, and outdoor enjoyment for residents of all ages. They provide the perfect setting for neighbours to come together and build lasting relationships.

New homes developers continue to invest heavily in community infrastructure, contributing £1.4 billion to local schools, parks, open spaces, and affordable housing. This investment ensures that new developments aren’t just about homes but about creating thriving communities.

New Homes Week was a great opportunity to celebrate the essence of community and the significant role that new build developments play in fostering it throughout the year.

Birmingham’s newest luxury apartment scheme

The prestigious new residential development contains 145 high-specification one and two bedroom apartments and offers a luxury range of in-house facilities including a gymnasium, cinema room, communal kitchen and two lounge areas, private working pods, courtyard gardens and roof terrace.

Housing hurdles ahead

The building benefits from a concierge service, secure parking and a residential storage room located on the ground floor of the complex.

The apartment scheme has been designed by leading architect Wake Morley and is being developed by renowned developer Investin Plc.

The apartments have a current starting price of £263,813 and will be available to occupy from Summer 2025.

Ella Pearson, Head of New Homes at Fisher German, said: “This is a very important instruction for us in Birmingham, and we are excited to bring our energetic approach to the Boulevard scheme where we expect to capture demand from owner occupiers and investors.

“Southside is Birmingham’s premier new neighbourhood and is close to everything the city has to offer, from major business hubs to high-quality shopping, dining, and cultural spots.”

An insight on planning reforms and market shifts

Our planning and development teams are enthusiastic about the government’s recent planning reforms and the uplift in market activity. Angela Brooks, a partner in our planning team, and Luke Brafield, a partner in our development agency team, anticipate a significant rise in planning applications over the next 12 to 18 months. They believe will ultimately result in an increase in appeals due to local opposition to the government’s ambitious housing targets, but this will then lead to a substantial increase in the number of homes being delivered.

Angela Rayner first announced an overhaul of England’s planning system in July last year, with the Labour government later launching a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) aiming to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029. There is noticeable lag between approvals and completions, and with only 236,000 homes approved in 2024, even meeting the previous government’s target of delivering 300,000 per year would appear impossible. In fact, annual delivery has not exceeded 250,000 homes this millennium.

With many local authorities facing increased housing targets, we will see more land promotion than ever before, with Council’s needing to be receptive to sites they may have previously overlooked. Now is the time for landowners to act on these opportunities.

Changes to the NPPF include the restoration of the five-year housing land supply, reversing the previous governments four-year supply threshold for authorities where plans were advanced to certain stage. Now

authorities with a plan over 5 years old will need to use the new housing targets, leading many areas to face an immediate land supply shortfall, engaging the presumption in favour of development. Naturally in such scenarios, authorities will likely be flooded with speculative planning applications.

Alongside, increased applications, the industry can expect to see a rise in planning appeals for housing schemes over the next 12 to 18 months. Planning is always an emotive topic, and applicants are likely to face a high volume of refusals, many of which will be followed by appeals.

We can also expect to see plenty of challenges to Green and Grey Belt schemes, as well as the ‘Golden Rules’ which require schemes to contribute to necessary infrastructure improvements, green spaces and, most notably, higher levels of affordable housing. These requirements are already leading to viability arguments, consuming valuable officer resource and lengthening decision-making.

Whilst some authorities are already adapting to the changes and approving Grey Belt proposals, some local resistance remains. We will likely see increased government interventions to boost housing delivery, minimise costly appeal processes, and send a message to local authorities to approve schemes that will ultimately be allowed on appeal. An example of this occurred in November when the government called in an application for an 8,400 home scheme in Kent just hours before it was due to be heard at the planning committee, having been recommended for refusal.

Before making any further changes to the NPPF, we expect the government will likely want to see how the development sector performs against the new version. The government acknowledges the ambitious housing targets, so achieving them will be challenging. However, now is the time for landowners and planning consultants to consider the opportunities which could be available. This includes reviewing areas where housing numbers have increased, assessing whether Green Belt sites could be potentially reclassified as Grey Belt and determining whether Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) can demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, either now or in the near future.

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Recent new instructions...

Phase 2, Coed-Y-Scubor

Conwy

Developer | Cete Ltd

An exceptional new collection of impressive, high quality 2 bedroom dormer bungalows.

Prices from | £275,000

Victory Hall Court

Worcestershire

Developer | Matthews Construction

An exclusive development of four superior homes with modern features and eco-friendly design.

Prices from | £340,000

Millbridge

Staffordshire

Developer | Elan Homes

An exceptional collection of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes in an idyllic semi-rural location.

Prices from | £289,995

Crockwell Farm Barns

Oxfordshire Developer | March Projects

A small collection of barn-inspired new homes in a sought after semirural village setting.

Prices from | £825,000

Navigating biodiversity net gain: A strategic approach

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), a policy aimed at delivering benefits for nature, is adding further complexity to the development process. While many developers are seeking to achieve BNG by incorporating habitat provision into development sites, better value for developers and outcomes for nature might be achieved through offsite provision of habitat by third parties.

We caught up with Senior Surveyor Christy Wells, a natural capital expert in our agribusiness team, to learn more about why he believes this presents an opportunity for developers to deliver better value through a strategic approach to BNG.

Following its introduction across England earlier this year, the reality of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy, which requires developers to enhance biodiversity by at least 10% and secure it for 30 years, is becoming clearer.

for developers

Addressing BNG necessitates a strategic approach to avoid hindering the development and planning process. Considering the costs of delivering BNG over its 30-year obligatory lifespan is vital. Treating it as an afterthought can lead to delays, additional expenses, and challenges, especially for smaller, constrained sites that may face disproportionately high costs.

The BNG framework prioritizes onsite habitat provision within developments over offsite mitigation. However, constrained sites, particularly those with distinctive habitats, may find onsite creation impractical or costprohibitive due to long-term management needs. Additionally, onsite provision does not always yield the best outcomes for nature.

In many instances, offsite provision offers greater potential for creating strategic, less fragmented habitats while enabling developers to better manage their costs. Though offsite provision typically requires third-party

Abberley Meadows

Worcestershire

Developer | Eden Homes

An exclusive development of just nine high quality homes set in a prime scenic setting.

Prices from | £485,000

Thornbrook Close

Buckinghamshire

Developer | S Arnold Developments Ltd

A collection of high specification detached family homes situated within a private gated development.

Prices from | £755,000

Hallow

Worcestershire

Developer | BN Developments Ltd

Two unique dwellings, including a barn conversion and a newly-constructed cottage in a popular village location.

Prices from | £450,000

Inkberrow Meadows

Worcestershire

Developer | Craig Styler Homes

An exclusive development of just four individually designed 4 to 5 bedroom detached homes.

Prices from | £995,000

land, various emerging options can assist developers in meeting their BNG obligations.

Understanding BNG requirements and exploring available options early in the development process is crucial for managing risks and costs while ensuring the best outcomes for nature.

A selection of recently sold new build properties

If you would like to find out more about our services, please feel free to contact one of our New Homes specialists as listed below.

Golygfa Gele

Coed-Y-Scubor, Conwy Developer | Cete Ltd

Golygfa Gele is an impeccably presented 4 bedroom family home, offering modern light filled interiors with versatile and flexible living accommodation.

Guide Price | £650,000

Barn

A high specification 2 bedroom barn conversion set amidst delightful countryside, on the edge of the much-sought after village of Barton-under-Needwood. Barton Gate, East Staffordshire Developer | Howard Homes

Price | £369,950

Harlequin House

Pershore, Worcestershire Developer | Craig Styler Homes

An impressive 5 double bedroom village home built to exacting standards with

Middleton Cheney, Banbury Developer | Cotswold Oak Ltd

A stunning detached 3 bedroom home with traditional and graceful exterior located in the charming village of Middleton Cheney.

Price | £425,000

Your New Homes specialists

Development sales

Templars Chase

Bosbury, Herefordshire Developer | Cotswold Oak

Weston, Towcester Developer | March Projects Grove Place

Grove Place features just five exceptional new homes and a single self-build plot, all set around a beautifully landscaped courtyard in Weston.

The Fisher German New Homes specialists will strive to gain full understanding of your requirements. We have the skills, knowledge and experience to provide you with an exceptional agency service. We will work in partnership with you to maximise the value of your assets.