The planning process poses significant challenges to housebuilders, affecting timely development.
- Thakeham has been delivering quality homes in South England since 2003, focusing on community and sustainability.
- Rob Boughton sees planning as the major obstacle to new homes due to costly and uncertain approvals.
- Thakeham adopts a tenure-blind approach, fostering diverse communities without socioeconomic divides.
- Infrastructure-first strategy is pivotal, illustrated by developments like Woodgate in Pease Pottage.
Delays and unpredictable outcomes have long been a thorn in the side for housebuilders. Since their inception in 2003, Thakeham has been adept at delivering quality homes across southern England, with a focus on creating thriving communities and championing sustainable living. Rob Boughton, the founder and chief executive, underscores that providing quality homes and well-designed spaces is crucial for gaining acceptance from planners, councillors, and local residents. The planning system, he asserts, remains the most significant hurdle to the construction of new homes. ‘It can be costly getting developments to planning stage with no guarantee of approval, despite working closely throughout with local authority planning officers,’ he remarks, stressing the necessity of overcoming these bureaucratic challenges to meet the demand for accommodation across all tenures.
Thakeham’s commitment to a tenure-blind approach ensures that all homes, including social housing, are built to an equally high standard. This model eliminates barriers based on background or affordability, fostering a more diverse and unified community. According to Boughton, a blend of tenure, property sizes, and types attracts a broader demographic, thereby enriching the community’s social fabric and sustainability.
In line with their vision, Thakeham recognises that homebuyers’ interests extend beyond the confines of their property. Adequate amenities and infrastructure are critical considerations, designed to endure for many years. Boughton expresses the necessity of a long-term perspective, whereby improving infrastructure must be a priority in new developments. This approach seeks to alleviate concerns that new developments might overburden existing facilities, as evidenced by their ongoing projects.
Thakeham’s ‘infrastructure-first’ methodology is vividly demonstrated at their Woodgate development in Pease Pottage, West Sussex. Here, a new primary school commenced operation a mere 18 months post the project’s initial phase. The site also accommodates St Catherine’s Hospice, a café, and a community-run shop. This model, developed in strategic partnership with Plunkett UK, a charity that supports community initiatives, cultivates a self-sustained local economy and interaction among residents.
Addressing the broader environmental concerns, Thakeham positions itself as one of the initial UK housebuilders to participate in the United Nations’ ‘Race to Zero’ campaign through the SME Climate Hub. The company pledges to ensure that all new homes will achieve net-zero status by 2025. This dedication reflects its ambition to craft spaces that serve current and future generations.
Boughton encapsulates Thakeham’s ethos by emphasising the importance of melding quality housing with essential facilities. Asserting this integrated model not only facilitates planning consent but also engenders vibrant communities where inhabitants are proud to reside.
Thakeham’s holistic approach enhances living standards by fostering integrated and sustainable communities.
