They say good things come in threes, and upon hearing the news that Birchgrove have just received their third consecutive planning permission, Carterwood are delighted to agree.
These three new schemes, all located in Surrey, will add an impressive 168 units to Birchgrove’s portfolio and, like all of Birchgrove’s current schemes, will operate a rental tenure model – a pioneering approach that we expect to become increasingly popular throughout the sector.
Carterwood are proud to have supported all three of Birchgrove’s applications with a planning need assessment – a detailed report that independently assesses need for private extra care or care village units and is renowned for increasing the chances of securing planning permission.
Paul Evans, development director at Birchgrove, comments:
“The Birchgrove team are thrilled to have achieved planning approval at their Christ Church development in Leatherhead. This is the third scheme in succession that has been supported by a planning need assessment provided by Carterwood. The research undertaken by Carterwood is viewed as market leading in the extra care development market and their reports are widely considered to be the gold standard in demonstrating extra care need and provision shortfall in our target locations.
Carterwood supported us not only at application stage, but with Carterwood Analytics | Retirement Living, their retirement living analytics portal, which was key at the due diligence stage in assessing the viability of the Leatherhead site, contributing to its acquisition in 2021. Birchgrove currently have 218 extra care apartments in their pipeline awaiting delivery on site, with a target of securing a further 165 apartment units at planning each year over the next three years.”
Let’s take a closer look
Leatherhead, Surrey
Decision date: 19th July 2022
No. of units: 62 self-contained apartments (34 one-bedroom and 28 two-bedroom units)
Site: A 1.43-acre site, currently the location of a detached vicarage, a vacant church, two disused tennis courts, and extensive areas of hardstanding. Development will include the demolition of the existing structures and construction of three new 2.5-storey apartment buildings.
Above: Leatherhead, Surrey
Godalming, Surrey
Decision date: 1st April 2022
No. of units: 52 assisted living units within three buildings
Site: A 0.99-acre brownfield site, previously used as a retail warehouse. Development will include the demolition of the existing warehouse building and the construction of two buildings, with alterations to one existing listed building.
Above: Godalming, Surrey
Banstead, Surrey
Decision date: 9th July 2021
No. of units: 54 (11 assisted living apartments and 43 extra care apartments)
Site: A 5.44-acre site located in the Banstead Conservation Area and the Metropolitan Green Belt. Development will include alterations to grade II listed Banstead Place to provide 11 assisted living apartments, the conversion of the lodge and stables, alongside the demolition of modern additions, which will be replaced with new buildings, allowing for a further 43 extra care apartments.
Above: Banstead, Surrey
Jessamy Venables, director at Carterwood, comments:
“Carterwood are pleased to have been involved in these applications, having completed a planning need assessment at each site that confirmed there is an existing and increasing need for private housing with care within both the market and local authority catchments. Birchgrove’s proposals in Leatherhead, Godalming and Banstead will provide superb new options for older people with high quality additional supply to assist in meeting this need.”
Birchgrove currently operates three retirement living schemes – Queensgate Apartments in Sidcup, Kent and Woodbank Apartments in Woking, Surrey – with a third scheme, Lower Mill Apartments in Ewell, Surrey having opened in May. Birchgrove currently have 178 operational units, which will soon grow to 347 with the development of their three newest schemes to receive planning consent.
Left: Queensgate Apartments in Sidcup, Kent. Centre: Woodbank Apartments in Woking. Right: Lower Mill Apartments in Ewell.
Looking for sector-specialist retirement living planning advice? Let’s talk
Carterwood are experts in the planning arena for need and alternative site assessments for elderly care homes and retirement living schemes and are here to support you in your planning journey, from initial need evaluation through to site assessment and support at appeal, if required.
For more information on Carterwood’s planning support services for the retirement living market please visit:
Advisory services | retirement living
