Gill’s Hill, Bourn, Cambridgeshire
5 Serviced Self-build plots, Planning Permission granted
The Opportunity
The Opportunity – a parcel of land just south of the Gills Hill Farm development in Bourn – situated on the edge of the village and with views over the golf course to the rear The site lies outside of the development framework boundary and is not in the Green Belt or the Bourn conservation area.
Part of the original site had already been developed back in 2016 when permission was granted to demolish existing commercial buildings and erect 16 dwellings of which 7 were affordable homes. The remaining land offered an opportunity for us to explore the potential for a site for self build plots
National planning policy requires the housing needs of those who wish to build their own homes to be reflected in planning policies. Local authorities are required to monitor the demand for such building plots and have a duty to grant planning permission for enough suitable plots to meet this identified demand – our aim was to address all obstacles and offer such a site.
Entrance to site
Proposed plans
The Vision
A proposed development of 5 custom or self built individually designed homes. To focus on sustainable design principles ensuring the homes will have minimal impact on the natural environment and a positive impact on the village of Bourn.
To create a Design Code, a set of unique rules that consider all aspects of self build development for the new homes, allowing individuals to create their own unique designs within high level rules and parameters yet ensuring cohesion within the overall landscape and development
Each plot to have its own individual ‘plot passport’ providing information specific go each individual plots’ parameters including landscaping and plot orientation. New owners would then need to submit to the local authority as a ‘Reserved Matters’ application before any building work could be commenced.
Progress
Constraints included the need for creating a new vehicular access, a very overgrown site with dense hedgerows, existing veteran tree on the southern boundary requiring special consideration and respecting the root protection area, and the possibility of great crested newts breeding in nearby ponds which need to be addressed.
The opportunities existing to rationalise the existing hedges and promote biodiversity, increased tree planting to again increase biodiversity and improve screen planting. The existing attenuation pond offered an opportunity to be incorporated within the drainage design and again be further screened by additional planting
A planning application was lodged with South Cambridgeshire District Council in May 2022. Early concerns highlighted were addressed by way of a tree shading assessment, additional landscaping and ecology work but we were then recommended to withdraw the application pending further bat surveys and preparation of a Landscape and Visual appraisal.
The scheme was re-submitted for planning and validated in October 2023. We are hopeful of a successful outcome in the first quarter of 2024.
May 2024 – Planning Permission Granted. Initial surveys underway in order to commence discharge of pre-commencement Planning Conditions.
Indicative street scene
Plans for individual units
Plots will be offered for sale fully serviced with entrance road and utility provisions all in place.
| Plot No. | Plot Size | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 270sq m | £410,000 |
| 2 | 379sq m | £460,000 |
| 3 | 270sq m | £410,000 |
| 4 | 338sq m | £435,000 |
| 5 | 305sq m | £425,000 |
