Project Name: Woodland Grange
Development Type: Residential
Location: Steeple Morden,
Cambridgeshire
Situated in the picturesque village of Steeple Morden, Woodland Grange is a private gated development set in seven acres of tranquil countryside featuring 19 individual contemporary apartments built to a high specification.
The site of a former nursing home, the elegant property had been purchased by a doctor living overseas who wanted to retain its commercial use as a mental heath facility. With strong connections in the local community, Alan Hilditch was approached by residents to intervene and suggest alternative proposals.
Learning from the owner that a change of use to residential had previously been turned down, Alan applied his creativity to explore other options, bringing the owner together with the local planner to discuss a plan to convert the existing building into apartments. The proposal was accepted by all parties and the site was sold to a local property development company, with Satchells appointed to sell the 19 apartments once completed.
Project Name: The Old Maltings
Development Type: Residential
Location: Biggleswade,
Bedfordshire
Retaining much of the charm from its original use as a maltings for a local brewing company, the buildings at the corner of Church Street & Chapel Fields are an iconic landmark of the town and original site of local well-known brewery Charles Wells. Dating back to the early 18th century, the buildings have been used for a variety of purposes since the mid-1970’s including a social club and reception centre for the brewery and later The Barrel Meeting House and training centre for Greene King.
Prior to its development, the buildings were home to an 80-seat restaurant with outdoor gardens and the owner approached us to explore opportunities to convert to residential use and provide consultancy services on development proposals.
With our knowledge of the buildings history and its prominence in the town, Alan took on the project knowing any development would need to retain the original character whilst maximising the available space. The result is a stunning development of ten 1- and 2-bedroom houses, each with gardens and parking and only a short stroll from the heart of the town.
Project Name: Bowmans Green
Development Type: Residential
Location: Baldock, Hertfordshire
The site at Bowmans Green features an intimate development of six houses and six apartments within carefully landscaped surroundings delivered by an experienced and reputable house building company. The development is a result of the expertise of Alan and the team in recognising the potential of land and proposing solutions that realise its full value and deliver outstanding financial rewards for clients.
Following an approach from a local solicitor acting on behalf of the landowner, Alan identified potential development opportunities and approached the housebuilding company, who agreed to purchase the site subject to planning permission.
Our local knowledge combined with our expert understanding of land and development were underpinned through the sale of the plot for building and again when the dwellings were sold, with our appraisals delivering desired outcomes for both the landowner and housebuilder.
Project Name: Courtlands
Development Type: Residential
Location: Stevenage,
Hertfordshire
Courtlands was a family-owned riding stables and livery yard located on the outskirts of Stevenage that provided lessons to children and adults at all levels. Alan was approached by the owner of the stables to act on their behalf in the redevelopment of the brownfield site to residential use, replacing the previous agent who has failed to meet expectations.
Using his highly developed skills, Alan advised our client on the options available and introduced potential buyers to view the site, which covered an area approaching 7.5 acres. On hand to provide guidance throughout, we advised our client on specific areas such as option agreements and presented them with proposals that utilised the full site to generate the highest returns.
The site was purchased by a local building firm and 17 dwellings were erected on the site of the former stables, with access road, parking, extensive landscaping, infiltration basin, and pump station also featuring.
Project Name: Winton Wharf
Development Type: Residential
Location: Biggleswade,
Bedfordshire
The project at Winton Wharf showcased Alan’s skills as an experienced land and development consultant alongside his deep knowledge of local market dynamics and appreciation of property values.
Our client originally sought Alan’s advice on possible development opportunities, later indicating they were the owner of the land that provided access to the site. Our brief was to deliver a proposal with the optimum number of dwellings for the designated site and indicate the likely returns on offer when sold. Having submitted a proposal to our client, we then advised on the purchase of the commercial properties sitting on the site from the existing owners to enable our client to initiate the residential development.
Utilising our vast network of contacts, we were able to engage a suitable developer and support our client through the sale of the land. The exclusive collection of 30 apartments and 2- and 3-bedroom houses that now occupy the site enjoy a serene setting on the banks on the River Ivel and central location just a short stroll to the local shops, bars, and restaurants.
Project Name: Old Musgrove Maltings
Development Type: Residential
Location: Baldock, Hertfordshire
One of the maltings that serves to illustrate the town’s rich history in brewing, the Old Musgrove Maltings is a Grade II listed property dating to 1680 and remained active into the 19th century before falling into disrepair when trade took a downturn. Reopened in the early 20th century, the site has been home to furniture stores, pubs, health spa, and a snooker club.
Having been engaged by our client, Alan led the team in drafting and submitting proposals for the sale of land, engaging an established house building firm to acquire the land and generating the best returns for our client. We then acted on behalf of the developer to sell the residential properties once complete.
The project to regenerate the site resulted in some of the commercial buildings being retained and converted to residential use and the Grade II listed Maltings also converted following extensive restoration. Some of the newer additions to the site were demolished and the redevelopment has enhanced the aesthetics of the area and resulted in high levels of client satisfaction.
Project Name: Old Horse and Groom
Development Type: Commercial
Location: Baldock, Hertfordshire
Occupying a prominent site of more than 2 acres beside the busy A505 on the outskirts of Baldock, the Horse and Groom pub was abandoned in 2005 and in the years since has fallen into considerable disrepair and become an eyesore within the local community.
Several previous attempts to develop the site into retail and hospitality use had been unsuccessful, including a planning application submitted by the landowner for change of use to residential and the erection of two detached dwellings. Following this most recent attempt, Satchells was approached to help identify a suitable development and successfully navigate the planning process.
Working with a planning consultant, Alan drafted a proposal to convert the site into a petrol filling station with additional retail units and ancillary takeaway, which would take up 678m² of space. The site also has provision for 52 car parking spaces, cycle storage, and charging bays for electric vehicles, in addition to a play area and extensive landscaping across the site.
The site falls within the jurisdiction of two planning authorities and its proximity to a major road with 38,000 daily traffic movements meant the planning application had to give careful consideration to access as well as ensuring it would satisfy the planning policies of two councils. The proposal was accepted, and permission given to develop the site, allowing the site to be transformed into a local asset of value and delivering the long-awaited desired outcome for the landowner.
