Planning
Our plans for Ashburton Close in Wells-next-the-Sea
Increasing the numberof affordable homes in Wells
We are planning to deliver 23 high quality, new homes located to the south of Ashburton Close in Wells-next-the-Sea. We would like to share our ideas with you and welcome any feedback you may have.
Our aim is to design and build homes that benefit people who live and work in the local community. Through our bespoke Policy Plus Plus approach, we aim to help meet the local housing need by delivering a mix of tenures, focusing on affordable and rental properties, as well as smaller homes. Quality, craftsmanship and sustainability will be at the heart of all our designs.
The scheme has been designed to complement the character of the local area, through the delivery of traditionally-designed homes that will embody the most up-to-date sustainable requirements.
Wells-next-the-Sea is identified as a Small Growth Town in the emerging Local Plan, with our proposed development identified as an allocated housing site.
“We will be a force for good in helping local communities to thrive, by providing employment, homes, and support for local businesses and charities.”
One of Holkham’s five ambitions
Site plan for proposed homes off Ashburton Close in Wells-next-the-Sea
Our proposal
- We plan to deliver 23 homes, in a variety of semi-detached and detached designs, as well as a two-storey apartment building.
- The designs will feature mainly two and three bedroom houses, in addition to a two bedroom bungalow and a four bedroom house. There will also be a collection of one and two bedroom apartments, all of which will have their own private entrance.
- All the properties will benefit from allocated parking that is suitable for the size of each home. Visitor parking will also be included.
- We have adopted a Policy Plus Plus approach to our proposal, with a mix of housing tenures aimed at supporting local housing need. More information about this bespoke approach can be found below.
- Our plans include 43% affordable housing (consisting of shared ownership, social and intermediate rental options) which complies with local policy.
- Helping to further meet demand for affordable rental options locally, three homes will be retained and rented out privately by the Holkham estate.
- Discussions have taken place with Norfolk District Council and Wells Town Council who have been generally supportive of our plans. Following these discussions, we have reduced the density of the proposed scheme from 24 to 23 homes and included enhanced highway works to the surrounding roads and public bridleway.
- Vehicular access to the majority of homes will be via Home Piece Road. Two of the proposed homes will be accessed via Market Lane.
- A safe and welcoming pedestrian access will be via the existing bridleway to the south of the proposed homes.
- Existing hedgerows and trees will be retained and enhanced where possible and new soft landscaping will be included throughout the site.
An illustration of what the proposed homes could look like.
What is Policy Plus Plus?
Policy Plus Plus is our bespoke approach to help meet the housing need in Wells-next-the-Sea. By delivering a mix of tenures, our aim is to go beyond local policy and help provide suitable housing options for people currently living and working in the town.
Under Policy Plus Plus, we’ve reduced the number of open market properties and allocated 43% of the proposed homes to be split between an affordable housing provider and Homes for Wells.
The town’s popularity amongst holidaymakers has fuelled the purchase of second homes and holiday lets. This has led to an increase in house prices, making it unaffordable for many currently living and working in Wells-next-the-Sea to stay and find a new home. A Housing Needs Study conducted by Housing Vision found that there was a particular shortage of intermediate rental homes and properties available for private rent.
Intermediate rental is that which should be made available to mid-income households. Intermediate renters are often priced out of the few remaining open-market rental properties but are very unlikely to ever be eligible for social housing. Through Policy Plus Plus, our plan is to work with Homes for Wells and match local people with intermediate rental housing.
In addition to this, the Holkham Estate will retain some properties and rent them out privately, targeting people already living and working in Wells-next-the-Sea. This takes the local housing provision to 57% of the total site.
By including affordable housing, intermediate rental properties and retaining some homes for private rent, as well as a mix of homes available on the open market, we are confident that our proposed development will help to meet the current housing need in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Illustration of what the proposed homes could look like
Location
The proposed homes are situated adjacent to Ashburton Close, adjoining a recent housing development at Home Piece Road in Wells-next-the-Sea. The site covers a total of 1.73 acres.
Location of the proposed site in relation to the wider town
Aerial image showing the location of the proposed site in relation to the wider town