The site represents a logical northern extension to the sustainable town of Fairford. In collaboration with key stakeholders, the land was first allocated through the Neighbourhood Plan, laying a strong foundation ahead of the planning application submission.
Our approach at Fairford demonstrates a clear commitment to community led development and sustainable placemaking. Key green infrastructure assets were retained and enhanced, resulting in a significant biodiversity net gain. This achievement was recognised with a prestigious Design Award from Building with Nature.
The landowner’s aspirations for a legacy-led scheme were embedded within both the planning application and the sales contract. This ensured the delivery of community initiatives, green infrastructure, and the establishment of a dedicated fund to benefit both current and future residents of Fairford. The scheme’s design was guided by a bespoke design code, shaped in part by the landowners themselves.
The successful delivery of this first phase has not only created a high-quality, attractive environment but also established a strong political and community platform for future developments within the landowner’s wider landholding.

An outline planning application was submitted for up to 50 homes, alongside provision for community use and public open space. Key considerations included landscape, heritage, and the impact on local character. The first application was approved at committee in April 2020, with members supporting the officer’s recommendation. Despite the site being outside the settlement boundary, the proposal’s merits, particularly the delivery of much-needed housing, were deemed to outweigh any potential harm.

This approval paved the way for a second phase of 56 homes, brought forward in partnership with the landowner. Planning permission for this phase was successfully secured via appeal in November 2022 with a subsequent sale to Wain Homes. A planning application for a third phases was submitted in 2025.                                                                                             

Planning approval was achieved for the redevelopment of a former agricultural site, proposing the demolition of the existing farmhouse and associated buildings to deliver up to 50 residential dwellings. The scheme included affordable housing, green infrastructure, public open space, a children’s play area, landscape planting, and sustainable drainage systems, including package treatment works. 

The site had capacity for up to 50 homes, with 40% designated as affordable housing — helping to address the housing shortfall in the former Mendip District Council area of Somerset. Conveniently located within walking and cycling distance of local amenities, the development also incorporated features designed to enhance local biodiversity and support wildlife, contributing to a well-connected and environmentally sensitive scheme.

The Council initially refused our planning application with ten grounds for refusal. We worked closely with our project team to overcome six of the reasons for refusal ahead of the planning inquiry taking place.
This left four reasons at the point the inquiry opened. When the application went to Appeal the Inspector found that one of the reasons for refusals, that related to foul water, was unreasonable.  Furthermore, the Inspector found there was no harm to local heritage and that the site would continue the natural progression of development in the town.
The application was approved at Appeal thanks to the hard work of the team. Planning permission was granted at appeal in January 2022 and the site was sold to Barratt (BDW) six months later.

The site was initially included in Mole Valley’s Local Plan as a Green Belt release but was removed after a consultation on the NPPF in December 2022, causing progress to stall. Gleeson Land had prepared baseline information to support the site’s promotion and quickly submitted an outline planning application when the Green Belt sites were removed.
The application, registered in February 2023, was refused in June 2023, but an Appeal was allowed in November 2023. Due to proactive monitoring and upfront work, Gleeson Land secured planning permission in less than 12 months.

All technical issues were addressed working proactively with the Council, as the application was prepared, and subsequently submitted in June 2024. The site was identified as a draft housing allocation in the Council’s Local Plan Regulation 18 in December 2024, noting that the site would be considered Grey Belt as a result of the changes to the December 2024 NPPF. The application was taken to committee at the start of January 2025 and received Resolution to Grant Planning Permission. In doing so, we secured the country’s first Grey Belt decision, at a local level, within seven months of submitting our planning application.