Award-winning developer spreads its West Country wings

Tue, Apr 25th 2006, 11:00

Exeter-based Redrow Homes (West Country) has proved it’s here for the long-haul with land acquisitions and planning consents for residential schemes with an estimated finished value of circa £140 million.

Hot on the heels of signing a development agreement with English Partnerships for the 18-acre (7.3 ha) South Yard Enclave site in Devonport, Plymouth, to transform it into a new mixed-use neighbourhood featuring more than 450 new homes, shops, offices and community facilities, Redrow has announced land acquisitions and/or planning consents for a further 428 new homes in Plympton, Tavistock, Barnstaple and Winkleigh.

Redrow’s West Country operation was set up in 2004, its first developments were unveiled in 2005 and it has now secured the first legal completions at Stourscombe Vale in Launceston, Cornwall, and Tidcombe Grove, in Tiverton, Devon.

Mark Harding, land director, commented: “The new schemes at Devonport, Plympton, Winkleigh, Barnstaple and Tavistock represent almost 900 new homes and will make us a sizeable force in the West Country housing market. They are proof that Redrow is here – and here to stay.”

These land acquisitions come just as Redrow has been named ‘Major Housebuilder of the Year’ in the 2006 Building Awards, one of the main events in the construction industry’s calendar. The company, which builds circa 5,000 homes annually across England, Scotland and Wales, was also voted ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ by national consumer property magazine Your New Home.

Redrow Homes (West Country) was selected from a shortlist of five top-quality bidders for the Devonport scheme and has now signed a full development agreement with national regeneration agency English Partnerships. The South Yard Enclave site has outline consent for 463 new homes, including 25% affordable housing. Building work is scheduled to begin in early 2007, subject to securing detailed planning consent.

The developer has also gained planning permission to redevelop the site of Treverbyn House, former council offices, in Plymbridge Road, Plympton, with 56 new-build properties, including 14 affordable units. The development will comprise mostly two-bedroom apartments, plus a small number of one-bedroom flats and a pair of semi-detached houses. The walled site includes a large number of mature trees, which will create a secure, private and attractive environment. Two of the three apartment buildings will have lift access.

Plympton has much to offer, including a 1,000-year-old ruined castle, the Ridgeway shopping centre, two high schools and 12 pubs, as well as being just five miles east of Plymouth. Sales are due to launch in June.

A massive database is already building for 231 proposed new homes at Tiddy Brook Meadows, off the A386, on the edge of Tavistock. Outline planning consent has been granted and detailed plans have been submitted for a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes, including some apartments and 75 affordable properties. Easy access to Plymouth and the desirability of Redrow’s homes has already prompted almost 500 enquiries.

In the thriving North Devon capital of Barnstaple, Redrow is to build 62 private sale and 28 affordable waterfront apartments alongside the River Yeo, on the former Rawle, Gammon & Baker builders’ yard site. The spacious apartments will range in size from 700 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft penthouses and will all have balconies. The open market buildings will include lift access.

As well as close proximity to a thousand yards of pedestrianised shopping streets and all of Barnstaple’s other attractions, including the start of the long distance Tarka Trail, the development is less than 15 minutes drive from the surfers’ paradise of Croyde Bay. The location is expected to have wide appeal to a mix of downsizers, early retired, second home owners and professional first time buyers. Again, a June sales launch is planned.

The first new homes at Winkleigh Cross, Exeter Road, Winkleigh, will also go on sale in June. This venture will comprise 51 two, three and four-bedroom homes, including 15 affordable units. The development enjoys a semi-rural position on the edge of this pretty village, with easy access to the amenities of Winkleigh, including its post office, convenience store, pubs, primary school and leisure centre. The Devon towns of Okehampton, Torrington and Crediton are approximately 11, 13 and 14 miles away respectively.

Further information about Redrow developments in Devon, Cornwall and beyond are available by calling 0845 676 0500.