Delivering the types of homes communities need
Case Study: Collaton Park
Delivering the Homes Communities Need
Project Overview
The Collaton Park Development is a groundbreaking example of how a sensitive, ecological, and community-focussed approach can deliver the types of homes that local communities urgently need. This innovative project, spearheaded by Pillar Land Securities (Collaton Park) Limited (a partnership between Pillar Land Securities, Coln Signeture Homes and the Newton and Noss CLT), is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), on a brownfield site previously contaminated by Ministry of Defence (MoD) uses. Through a combination of sustainable design, affordable housing initiatives, and community-centered planning, Collaton Park addresses both the housing crisis and climate emergency called by the South Hams District Council.
The development has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, further cementing its position as a leader in sustainable, community-focussed housing solutions. These include:
- The National Planning Awards for Best Housing Scheme Under 500 Homes
- The Inside Housing Awards for Best Housing Scheme (100-500 Homes)
- The National Community Land Trust Awards for All About Community
- The Michelmores Award for Planning for the Future
Key Features of the Development
- 125 energy-efficient new homes, including 57 affordable homes (46% of the total), all designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape and in keeping with the local character of the area.
- Affordable housing types: A mix of 1-4 bedroom homes, with 18 Community Land Trust homes for social rent, allocated to those with a local connection and on South Hams District Council’s waiting list.
- Private sale homes (68 units) are aimed at first-time buyers, second-time movers, and downsizers, with a Primary Residence Restriction to prioritise local buyers.
- Sustainable design elements include Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar Photovoltaic Panels for all affordable homes and commercial units, and no natural gas on-site, making this one of the most forward-thinking low-carbon housing schemes in the region.
- The scheme includes extensive ecological improvements: wildlife corridors, bat boxes, hedgehog highways, and a biodiversity net gain of 12.6% for habitats and 108.5% for hedgerows, far exceeding planning requirements.
- Community assets: Generous green space, children’s play areas, allotments, a community orchard, boat storage, a café, village shop, office work hub, and public amenities such as toilets and changing rooms. These facilities provide a vibrant, sustainable place for local residents to live, work, and socialise.
Addressing Local Housing Needs
In the face of a housing crisis declared by the South Hams District Council (SHDC) in 2021, Collaton Park represents a tailored solution for a region that has long struggled with a shortage of affordable homes. The South Hams is one of the least affordable areas for housing in the South West, with high demand driven by second-home owners and holidaymakers. This has led to a severe imbalance in the housing market, leaving many local residents priced out of the communities they call home.
The Collaton Park project directly addresses these challenges by offering a range of affordable housing solutions, including:
- 57 affordable homes across various sizes, types, and tenures, ensuring that those most in need within the local community can secure a home.
- 18 Community Land Trust homes in social rent tenure, providing affordable, long-term housing for those who would otherwise be unable to afford to stay in the area.
- 68 private sale homes, reserved for local buyers for three months in advance, with a Primary Residence Restriction to ensure that homes are occupied by those who live and work in the local area.
The mix of housing types, ranging from 1 to 4-bedroom homes, is specifically designed to rebalance the local housing stock and cater to a diverse demographic - young people, families, and downsizers. The scheme provides an important opportunity for local residents to return to their home village, creating a more equitable, sustainable community.
The Collaton Park project directly addresses these challenges by offering a range of affordable housing solutions, including:
Ecological and Environmental Considerations
A central tenet of the A Different Approach to development is ensuring that environmental sustainability and biodiversity are prioritised alongside housing delivery. The Collaton Park development reflects this ethos through:
- Landscape and Ecology-led Design: The site layout has been carefully crafted to maintain and enhance local ecology, including the creation of bat corridors, wildlife towers, species-rich grasslands, and insect-friendly planting.
- Biodiversity Net Gain: The development provides a 12.6% improvement in habitat quality and an 108.5% improvement in hedgerows, more than double the policy requirement, ensuring long-term benefits for local wildlife.
- Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): These systems are designed to manage stormwater on-site and contribute to habitat creation, including swales, ponds, and attenuation basins, while mitigating flooding risks.
- Renewable Energy Systems: Every home at Collaton Park is equipped with solar panels and air-source heat pumps. Additionally, the development features electric vehicle charging points and promotes a sustainable car club, further reducing its carbon footprint.
Through these features, Collaton Park is not only helping to address the housing crisis but is also contributing to the long-term health of the local environment, making it a model for future residential developments in sensitive areas.
Community Infrastructure and Connectivity
In addition to housing, the development includes a wide array of amenities and infrastructure improvements that benefit both new and existing residents:
- Pedestrian and cycle access: New footpaths and cycle links connect the development to nearby Newton Ferrers, improving local mobility and reducing car dependency.
- Public transport: The provision of a new bus stop, bus turning area, and a £200,000 contribution to doubling local bus services helps improve public transport access.
- Community amenities: The new village shop, café, and office work hub provide spaces for socialising, working, and gathering, helping to foster a sense of community within the development.
- Safe school access: A new, dedicated school bus pick-up/drop-off location ensures the safety and convenience of children travelling to school.
A Model for Sustainable Development
Collaton Park is a bold step forward in demonstrating how housing developments can be sustainable, community-driven, and ecologically responsible while also meeting the real and urgent need for affordable homes. The design not only addresses the region’s housing shortage but also sets a new standard for the future of residential development within the AONB.
By incorporating innovative, low-carbon construction methods, and focusing on long-term biodiversity gains, the Collaton Park development is an exemplary model of how the housing crisis can be tackled without compromising environmental or community values.
Endorsements
This application gets to the very heart of the need to balance the protection of the AONB with the need to protect sustainable and viable communities within that landscape. A dying community is not a good prospect for the future health of the AONB.
Newton and Noss Parish Council
This is a fantastic example of how we can bring forward development that delivers the right types of homes for local people, while also enhancing the environment for future generations.
South Hams District Council Representative
Summary
The Collaton Park development, inspired by A Different Approach, is a paradigm of how to design and deliver homes that serve both the immediate and future needs of communities. By blending affordable housing, sustainability, and ecological stewardship, this project is helping to ensure that local people have access to homes they can afford while also protecting the natural beauty and biodiversity of the South Devon AONB.
This development is a visionary example of how housing can meet community needs without compromising on environmental or social values - creating a more equitable, sustainable future for the South Hams.