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Cala Homes has submitted a Reserved Matters planning application to Cotswold District Council to bring new homes to Fairford, Gloucestershire. The housebuilder has proposed the delivery of 83 vital, high-quality homes at a 19-acre site on Hatherop Road, 40% of which will be affordable.
Cala’s proposals have sustainability at their heart, echoing the values of locally based UK charity The Ernest Cook Trust, the previous owner of the site. Important green spaces will be preserved throughout the site and an orchard, resident allotments, and children’s play area will bring additional community-focused benefits to Fairford.
The development design has been awarded with a Building with Nature (BwN) accreditation which ensures high-quality green infrastructure on new build developments. Over and above standard planning, BwN integrates natural elements to boost biodiversity and community well-being. Cala aims for full BwN accreditation during planning and construction, highlighting its commitment to sustainable development. The project will significantly enhance landscaping with a 53% increase in habitat, 59% in hedgerows, and 32% in watercourses, ensuring the development supports and enriches the natural environment and achieves Biodiversity Net Gains (BNG) significantly higher than national and local requirements.
The Council has previously given Outline Planning Permission for this allocated site to be transformed into a new development, addressing the housing shortage in the area.
Cala’s plans would bring a variety of choice for house hunters, including a range of two- to five-bedroom homes. In addition to the 83 units in Phase 1, Phase 2 will comprise 4 custom build properties for those wishing to create a bespoke new home. The mix of options means there will be suitable homes for first-time buyers, families, and downsizers.
Alongside approximately £2 million in S106 and CIL contributions, the collaboration between Cala and The Ernest Cook Trust will also create a dedicated bursary fund to support local projects and groups. The bursary will form part of Cala’s Community Pledges which will bring together a bespoke programme of activity designed to address specific community needs and will be over and above the homebuilder's planning obligations. Activity could include financial support, volunteering, schools’ programmes, and more.
Matthew Jeal, Head of Planning at Cala Homes Cotswolds commented:
“Having acquired this site from local landowner, The Ernest Cook Trust, we are excited about continuing to work with the Trust to bring forward an exemplar development that puts environmental stewardship front and centre. This development not only demonstrates our commitment to sustainability but also aligns with our goal to bolster our presence of delivering high-quality new homes in the Cotswolds.
“We now look forward to receiving feedback on our Reserved Matters application for our development in Fairford that we hope exceeds expectations in terms of quality, sustainability, and community benefit.”
Michael Birnie, Property Director at The Ernest Cook Trust, commented:
“The Ernest Cook Trust fosters a lifelong journey of learning, appreciation, and respect for the countryside in young people through a range of Outdoor Learning opportunities. A significant proportion of our funding for this comes from the progressive stewardship of our landholdings.
“For the North East Fairford site, it was vitally important for us to find a house builder whose values both align with and empower our charitable mission. Cala Homes has demonstrated a commitment to nature, green spaces and the local community well above and beyond its statutory requirements, and we look forward to working closely with them throughout this project.”
Sustainability measures at the development will see every new home equipped with electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps – a low-carbon technology, helping residents reduce their carbon emissions. In addition, the new homes will also be built using timber frame to reduce embodied carbon. Through Cala’s Urban Wildlife Strategy, important measures to support wildlife will also be incorporated into the fabric of all homes, including bird nesting features, specialist hedgehog fencing, bat boxes or bat roosting tiles and native tree planting.
The outline consent established general key parameters – including the areas for and density of residential development, building heights, vehicle access points, and the location of the open space. The Reserved Matters application provides further details on the homes that will be tailored to meet the needs of the community and enhance the village’s character.
Find out more about Cala's Community Pledge here.