Arboretum, Epping

Residential Development for our sister development company Higgins Homes in Epping, Essex. Known as ‘Arboretum’, this development provided 149 high quality mixed tenure homes on the grounds of Epping St John’s School’s former school site and a new replacement secondary school.

The development was designed by Architect Melville Dunbar Associates, and comprised of predominantly two-storey houses, as well as some three-storey flats, in an enviable location on the edge of green fields and open public spaces. The tenure mix includes 19 affordable rent and 19 shared ownership homes which were delivered for our Registered Provider Partner; L&Q, as well as 111 private sale units which generated the cross subsidy.

This was a joint venture with Essex County Council to deliver a new secondary school and 149 mixed tenure residential homes. Essex County Council had obtained an outline planning permission for the construction of the new secondary school on the existing school’s playing field, and the demolition of the existing school buildings and redevelopment for 149 houses and flats.

We funded the construction of the new secondary school at nil capital cost to Essex County Council. This land acquisition structure ensured that Essex County Council received maximum value for its site and did not need to utilise its own capital resources for the delivery of the new school.

This is an award winning project and secured the following: UK Property Awards 2014 (Best Property in Essex, Best Residential Development in Essex, Best Residential Development in UK), London Evening Standard Awards 2015 (Best Family Home Valued over £750k, Highly Commended for The Oak House Type 5 bed) and 2014 International Property Award.