East and South East

First accelerated delivery site marketed by ESE

The search for a development partner is under way for the first of seven sites released through the accelerated land disposal strategy.

Launched back in March 2011, the Accelerated Land Delivery (ALD) strategy is designed to speed up the rate at which new housing is developed on public land.

HCA’s East South East team is adopting an innovative approach to the disposal of Spencers Park near Hemel Hempstead by seeking four developers who will work together on the delivery of 357 homes, 40% of which will be affordable. Offers are being invited from a consortium of four individual bidders on a deferred payment basis. This means developers pay for the land as the homes are built, rather than all up front, providing the construction industry with a much-needed boost. A further section of the site has been allocated for the construction of 12 custom-build houses.

Terry Fuller, Executive Director for East and South East, said:

“The Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire team has worked hard to ensure that Spencers Park is the first of the ALD sites to go to market. In line with our ethos of supporting smaller housebuilders in our area, we’ve taken the step of parceling up this site and asking four developers to work in partnership. I’m looking forward to seeing the responses to this exciting opportunity.”

Developers are being encouraged to put design quality at the forefront of their proposals and take into account the intention to create two public parks.

 It is anticipated that the HCA will request Expressions of Interest back by late summer / early autumn. For more information, see Current Opportunities.

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