- Date of Article
- Nov 11 2020
- Sector
- Planning & development
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James is Chairman of Carter Jonas. Formerly Head of the Planning & Development Division, James advises clients on proposed development projects throughout the south of England with nearly 30 years of experience in residential and mixed use development. This includes site identification, project management of planning and development strategies, valuation and viability appraisals, marketing and sale of development opportunities. He has specific expertise in option, promotion and other development agreements, joint ventures and landowner equalisation agreements.
Carter Jonas has sold an 10.23-acre residential development site at Kingsgrove, Wantage to Taylor Wimpey, marking another milestone in the development and delivery of a new 1500-home community.
This completion will enable the start of the fourth residential phase to deliver new homes at the 227-acre scheme where St. Modwen is acting as master developer, working closely with landowner Crabhill Developments and its consultant Carter Jonas.
Following a competitive tender process, leading housebuilder, Taylor Wimpey, was selected as the preferred bidder in March, before lockdown restrictions came into force. Contracts were exchanged in July to develop Phase 4, known as Downlands, which will comprise 171 private and affordable homes located south of the emerging neighbourhood facilities where a new primary school opened its doors to pupils in September.
The sale marks the fourth residential phase of the new community. The first three phases, totalling 428 homes, are currently being developed by St. Modwen Homes, CALA Homes and Bellway Homes since a start on site in 2018.
James Bainbridge, Chairman of Carter Jonas, commented: “We are very pleased with the progress and continuing investment into this significant project, with a further housebuilder joining our clients’ vision to create a community with aspirations for design and place-making. This fourth serviced residential parcel sold by the landowners at Kingsgrove will also significantly increase the rate of delivery of much needed new homes in Science Vale.”
Carter Jonas, which acted for St Modwen and Crabhill Developments in the sale, has been involved with this development for more than ten years. Together with Lands Improvement Holdings, the national property consultancy obtained outline planning permission for the 227-acre site in July 2015 from the Vale of White Horse District Council for up to 1,500 homes, a new primary school, a neighbourhood centre, including a pub/restaurant and local retail accommodation, sports pitches, employment space and community amenities set around a central park. St. Modwen subsequently signed a development agreement with the landowners to take forward the delivery of the masterplan and infrastructure in June 2017. St. Modwen Homes is expected to deliver up 50% of the homes on site.