Global property consultancy Knight Frank is delighted to announce the successful sale of all 133 private apartments at Chelsea Botanica, SW6.

Launched in May 2022, this collaborative development between Mount Anvil and Peabody has enjoyed a hugely successful sales campaign, with all 133 distinctive and stylish homes in the heart of London’s coveted SW6 postcode having now exchanged.

Chelsea Botanica is an exclusive, boutique collection which offers a range of apartment types, including studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, many of which enjoy views towards the Thames and Imperial Park. Partnerships curated by Mount Anvil with widely recognised brands, namely Peloton and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as well as interior designer Atelier NM, voted one of the Best British brands 2022, have resonated on a global scale. 

Such partnerships have resulted in a first-of-its-kind indoor fitness facility offering immersive Peloton workouts being delivered as well as meticulously landscaped gardens designed by horticulturalists from the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Atelier NM were appointed to deliver interiors inspired by nature, with soft wood, onyx and brass tones being incorporated to complement the theme and collaboration with Kew Gardens. Mount Anvil’s commitment to establishing a respected brand has positioned them as leaders in the market, drawing acclaim from both industry experts and property seekers alike.

In addition, the sought- after location and attractive pricing of these residences, both helped to generate substantial interest over the past 18 months, and while not immediately on the Thames waterside, many apartments on the upper floors do enjoy stunning river and park views, further enhancing the appeal of Chelsea Botanica.

Sophie Davies, Associate at Knight Frank’s New Homes team, said: “Sales at Chelsea Botanica have been a perfect illustration of how combining the right elements within a new homes project resonates with buyers in the current climate. Being in a sought-after London borough, built by a well-respected developer, and incorporating renowned brands into the scheme have all contributed to providing a unique and compelling opportunity for buyers.

In a market where buyers seek properties that stand out, Mount Anvil’s decision to include Peloton, Kew Gardens and Atelier NM has undeniably worked well, capturing the attention of global buyers and setting a new standard for exceptional living.”

Jay Weston, Head of Sales at Mount Anvil said: “We are thrilled with the tremendous success of Chelsea Botanica. This boutique development has exceeded our expectations, showcasing the strong demand for thoughtfully designed, amenity-rich homes in prime London neighbourhoods. The rapid sales show how today’s discerning buyers value quality materials, stylish interiors, and exceptional spaces to live, work, and unwind. We are proud to have worked with our collaborators to bring this visionary project to life in the heart of SW6.”

Landlords and property developers can now access a free course from the UK’s leading retrofit knowledge and skills provider to kickstart their career in retrofit.

The new online course, Retrofit 101, has been curated and designed by The Retrofit Academy to provide anyone wanting to learn about the fundamentals of what domestic retrofit involves and why it is important in driving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

Aiming to bolster understanding of retrofit for property professionals and work they may already be doing to improve energy efficiency in buildings, the course is designed to unlock the potential for professionals to go on to progress into further retrofit qualifications as they develop their career in the area.

As government policy and funding for decarbonising homes and buildings continues to grow, the workforce required to deliver high-quality retrofit at scale must be quickly developed to meet growing demand. The organisation has launched the Retrofit 101 course to give more people than ever before chance to understand the process of retrofit, why domestic retrofit is needed, learn about what goes into retrofit advice and understand the retrofit career paths that are available for people.

The new course joins a raft of leading accredited courses developed and delivered by The Retrofit Academy since 2016, equipping learners to take on PAS 2035 roles such as Retrofit Coordinator, Assessor and Advisor. Having already enrolled over 4,000 retrofit professionals and 7,000 learners, the organisation has designed the course to encourage many more to consider earning their qualifications and capitalising on the raft of career opportunities emerging.

David Pierpoint, CEO and founder of The Retrofit Academy, said: “We have been developing and delivering accredited retrofit training courses since 2016 and have unlocked careers for thousands of individuals already. To create the workforce needed to decarbonise all homes in the UK, however, we must go further. With that in mind, we’ve developed our free introductory course with the aim of sharing our wealth of retrofit knowledge with as many people as possible, which we hope will make the world of retrofit even more attractive to a broader talent pool.

“Whether an individual is eager to unlock a new career in the built environment, or a company is looking to upskill its team in energy efficiency considerations, Retrofit 101 provides a fundamental starting point to launch into the sector. From here, there is the opportunity to take on more of the leading qualifications from The Retrofit Academy and take on the thousands of roles opening up to deliver large-scale, high quality retrofit across the UK.”

To try out Retrofit 101 for yourself and kickstart your retrofit journey with The Retrofit Academy, click here.

Embracing science, data and ecological expertise will help developers rise to the challenge of new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements, say environmental specialists at Fera Science. 

Under the Town & Country Planning Act (TCPA), from 12 February 2024, most developers in England must evidence how they will deliver at least 10% BNG, for 30 years minimum, for each new site.  

This involves assessing and calculating initial biodiversity levels, using the mitigation hierarchy to build an effective biodiversity gain strategy, and creating a bespoke habitat management and monitoring plan for the long term. 

Harnessing environmental science within every step will be key to developers’ success, says Paul Brown, senior remote sensing scientist and geomatics surveyor at Fera. 

“Developers are being confronted with the urgent need to capture highly accurate, biodiversity data which they can translate into effective net gain strategies. 

“A scientific approach is vital – so, it is essential for developers to invest in ecological expertise to help them put effective nature protection measures in place, and meet incoming BNG targets as smoothly as possible,” he says. 

With over 100 years of scientific learning, research and development, Fera is collaborating with housebuilders to understand and navigate BNG policy changes with a tailored support service. 

“Our LAND360 land assessment service connects developers with Fera’s team of ecologists, economists, GIS and remote sensing experts, to help them create and deliver a fully-informed 30-year biodiversity gain plan,” explains Mr Brown. 

“We use remote sensing technology, mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) to carry out a thorough desk-based habitat assessment, without the need for initial on-site investigation. 

“These detailed insights help us build a science-based biodiversity baseline, from which we can forecast the impact of on-site and off-site BNG strategies, to help developers put the right plans in place that continue delivering at least 10% gain,” he says. 

According to legislation, developers who fail to account for BNG in their plans will face delays or even rejection of their applications, so getting credible advice is vital for developers and planners. 

“Investing in scientific support with BNG planning will not only help developers meet industry-wide regulations smoothly, but also help demonstrate a true ‘nature first’ approach to sustainable development, backed up with genuine expertise.” 

To find out more about how Fera and the LAND360 service is helping housing developers, visit https://www.fera.co.uk/land360-housing-developers  

Lincolnshire-based developer, Allison Homes, has announced the appointment of Dave Sheridan
as a Non-Executive Director. Former CEO of Keepmoat and currently Executive Chairman of Ilke
Homes, Dave brings a strong track record in delivering growth, and extensive experience with
private equity arrangements.

Starting out over 40 years ago at Wimpey Homes, by 2012 Dave was CEO of Keepmoat and oversaw
a period of impressive growth during which the company increased output from around 1,500
homes per year to 4,500. He joins the Allison board as the company seeks to deliver against similarly
ambitious targets.

Speaking of the appointment, John Anderson, CEO Allison Group, said: “I’m delighted to welcome
Dave on board. His track record in managing rapid growth will have a significant impact on Allison as
will his extensive experience of partnerships and private equity.

“He also brings drive and energy in the field of construction, his knowledge around Modern Methods
of Construction (MMC) will be invaluable to the Allison board and to me personally. This is a very
important period for Allison and I’m looking forward to working with Dave and the rest of the board
as we pursue our goals.”

Dave Sheridan said: “Under John’s leadership, Allison Homes is embarking on an exciting new
chapter, and I am eager to be a part of it. Globally it’s a challenging time but that doesn’t change the
fact that the UK is in desperate need of new housing. I believe there is significant potential for a
company with the drive and ambition of Allison to make a major impact on the delivery of those new
homes.”

Operating in Lincolnshire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Devon, Somerset, Norfolk and Suffolk, Allison
has recently announced several significant planning achievements in line with the growth strategy.
In addition, a strategic partnership with Legal & General Affordable Homes for The Oaks in Norwich
was unveiled earlier this year.

Dave continues: “Allison has all the ingredients – strong landbank, excellent vision and defined
values in terms of quality of build and customer service – to shake up the status quo and I’m looking
forward to working with John and the team to help them capitalise on the opportunities.”

Property & Development Magazine

Land agent Walter Cooper appoints ex-Lanes Land agent Stuart Smart as Senior Land Manager as the business continues to expand in its second year of operation.

Within Walter Cooper’s first 18 months of trading, the firm has agreed or contracted on over 2,000 plots in the South-East with a combined land value of over £370m. Due to its significant early success, Stuart has been appointed to support the team on land transactions for developers and housing providers across Hertfordshire and Essex. The now seven-strong team will lead a proactive approach to match land opportunities with their growing pool of residential and commercial clients.

The hire comes at a perfect time for the business as it prepares for rapid growth, says founder and Managing Director, Simon Cox, who also has a background at Lanes Land which is now part of Hamptons.

He comments, “We are delighted to welcome Stuart to the team, joining us as Senior Land Manger with over a decade of experience in the wider industry. This is a really exciting time for Walter Cooper. I took a risk and seized an opportunity to start this business in the height of lockdown nearly two years ago. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved, however there is still much more to do. Our independent approach has allowed us to deliver honest, passionate, and pragmatic expertise to each and every client we work with. When we say land is our obsession, we mean it.”

Stuart says, “I am thrilled to be joining the team and be a part of the Walter Cooper vision, attracted by Simon’s fresh approach to delivering high quality land deals. My background at Lanes Land as well as Heritage Group has given me broad knowledge of Hertfordshire and the Home Counties, understanding the complexities and challenges of the land market to always provide a comprehensive client focused service.”

Walter Cooper’s standout deals in 2021 include the £32m acquisition of 167 units in Codicote to Taylor Wimpey, a £6.5m acquisition in Watford for the new Hertfordshire Police station, and the £8.5m acquisition of a development site in Knebworth, Hertfordshire.

Land agent Walter Cooper also has an active corporate responsibility programme in place, which includes an annual £10,000 bursary fund for the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, as well as being passionate members of Carbon Neutral Britain and Real Estate Balance.

Simon says, “From day one, we’ve always said we are a business who cares – not just about our clients, but about our local environment and community. We want to leave a positive legacy, putting actions to our words.”

For more information about Walter Cooper please visit waltercooper.co.uk.

Property & Development Magazine