Stoke Orchard
Assisting our clients, Harper Crewe Ltd, Zesta secured full detailed planning permission for 120 new homes, including 40% affordable housing units.
With Stoke Orchard’s ‘Service Village’ status and the local authority’s housing supply shortage, we were able to bring forward a positive planning application for the expansion of the eastern side of the village, in a logical and harmonious manner.
The development facilities a strong new urban edge to the village, giving it a strong sense of entrance and identify, that was previously lacking.
Further positive engage with the local planning authority at pre-application stage, and a collaborative approach through the full application process, resulted in a development that was largely welcomed by the local community.
In particular, the local Parish Council supported the proposal and engaged proactively throughout to ensure that the development secured the community facilities and infrastructure that it required to sustain and enlarged population, and to better serve the needs of its existing residents. This scheme is now being built out in 2026 and will start taking its first occupations during the summer months.
It is not very often that housing developments come forward with the support of the local community, but that was certainly the case here in Stoke Orchard. A proactive dialogue with the local Parish Council from day one ensured that the development was delivered in a sympathetic manor, whilst also ensuring that the right level of local infrastructure was delivered to the benefit of the community. We would encourage all local Parish Councils to and community groups to liaise constructively in the planning process, to ensure that the needs of the community are properly met through development. The case here at Stoke Orchard is a great case study for what can be achieved.