EPIL instructed Hawksmoor at the project outset, to undertake pre-purchase due diligence and direct the site’s promotion into the Wyre Forest District Council’s adopted Local Plan 2016 – 2032 for housing, in opposition to competing parcels of land proposed for development. The agricultural land adjoining Bewdley was located within the protected West Midlands Green Belt, created following the introduction of the 1947 Planning Act and reinforced by the 1980’s Wyre Forest Urban Areas Local Plan.

Hawksmoor and Brian Egerton’s high standards of land agency services and approach to project management was professional and diligent throughout. The land promotion was locally sensitive, and the approach was one of respectful recognition of local stakeholders balanced with achieving the planning consent successfully overlaid time wise, with cabinet approval for the site being removed from the Green Belt. The ambition, energy, and enthusiasm necessary to maintain this through a lengthy process is commendable, alongside Brian’s abundant careful consideration of all technical and financial details.

Hawksmoor co-ordinated the client’s team members, project managing the site’s removal from its Green Belt designation, the assembly of co-ordinated planning application documents, the securing of Wyre Forest Council’s housing allocation for up to 100 dwellings and negotiating Section 106 Agreement commercial terms. After successfully resolving River Severn flood risk matters and the grant of planning permission, Hawksmoor undertook joint marketing, thereby successfully delivering an efficient unconditional sale to a regional housebuilder