Places for People launches strategic land division

Places for People has launched a strategic land division. The group said the “forward-thinking move” would be key for long-term growth as well as its plans to deliver more than 5,000 new homes per year by 2028. The strategic land division will help secure a long-term pipeline, and will be led by David Ashworth, who joined the company last year from Countryside. Ashworth, now strategic land director, said: “Being able to proactively plan for the future means we can navigate the housing market more effectively to balance supply and demand, as well as ensuring our developments meet the needs of our customers now, and in the future, and are well adapted to the changing needs of our customers and wider society.” The new division follows the creation of its developments and regeneration business, which was also set up under its new senior leadership team. Adrian Bohr, chief executive for regeneration and communities at Places for People said: “The new strategic land division will secure future growth for the group and allow a more strategic approach to the delivery of homes across the UK in partnership with other key stakeholders, including landowners, Homes England, Homes Scotland and the UK government.” Places for People is a social enterprise which recycles all profit back into the delivery of its social aims, including the provision of affordable homes. Bohr said the new arm would “further deliver new communities and secure our position as trusted partner of choice for major legacy landowners such as the Duchy Estate”. Places for People has helped deliver Poundbury in Dorset and Tornagrain in Inverness. Ashworth said he would be looking for medium to long-term sites of more than 100 units and around 20 acres, which require promotion or even adoption in the relevant local plan. “We will utilise our expert planning and placemaking skills to bring these sites to fruition and create landmark, sustainable developments that future generations can enjoy for many years to come,” he said. Places for People recently secured planning for 8,500 new homes across six new “villages” as part of the Gilston Garden Town extension to Harlow New Town earlier this year. The plans will see an entirely new community created with six new primary schools, healthcare facilities and 300,000 sq ft of employment space. To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Image © Places for People/Meeting Place