PROJECTS
Vale Exotics,
Longdon Hill
In 2021, Marson Designs Ltd asked for our help in securing residential redevelopment of this former nursery site, close to Wickhamford and within easy reach of Evesham.

Working through the history with the landowners, we first made a successful application for a certificate of lawfulness to establish that the site had not been used as a horticultural nursery for many years. The lawful use was confirmed to be as a garden centre (and therefore a brownfield, or previously developed, site in retail use Class E).
In 2022, at a time when Wychavon District Council could not demonstrate a 5 year supply of housing land, we wrote a supporting planning statement to accompany Marson Designs’ planning application to remove 3,600sqm of retail floorspace and replace this with a small group of six traditionally designed homes with a large tract of biodiversity land to the rear. Whilst the location is classed as countryside in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, where new housing would not normally be allowed, we were able to successfully argue that a combination of factors justified the granting of permission. Marson Designs’ high quality, traditional house designs in a layout that provided substantial gardens and plenty of space around the dwellings were a key element in securing the support of the case officer and the Council.
