Pigeon acquires the Saxmundham Garden Neighbourhood

Pigeon has purchased the land allocated for the Saxmundham Garden Neighbourhood, spanning 161 acres to the south of the Suffolk town.

The new community has been promoted by Pigeon on behalf of the vendors for some time, but Pigeon has now purchased the site on a freehold basis to further progress its delivery.

The site benefits from an allocation in the East Suffolk Council Local Plan for around 800 new homes and associated infrastructure on the eastern side of the adjacent A12, as well as approximately 18 acres of commercial space to the west, all served by a new junction off the A12.

Simon Butler Finbow, Group Planning Director at Pigeon, said: “We have been working directly with East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council, Saxmundham Town Council, Benhall and Sternfield Parish Council, and other local stakeholders in the planning of the Garden Neighbourhood. We are pleased to take this commitment to the next stage, having purchased the land freehold and looking to submit a site-wide planning application in the coming weeks. This masterplanning of the scheme will go a long way to deliver on local needs and ambitions whilst harnessing the opportunities presented by Sizewell C.”

In addition to new homes and employment, Saxmundham Garden Neighbourhood provides land for a new two-form entry primary school and two pre-schools, roadside services, custom/self-build homes, new and enhanced cycle and walking links, and extensive public open spaces.

Will van Cutsem, Joint Chairman of Pigeon, said: “This acquisition represents a significant investment by Pigeon into a prime mixed-use development, off-market, and making the most of the exciting macro-level demand brought on by the construction of Sizewell C.

“With an estimated 4,000 companies in the supply chain for Sizewell C, in addition to homes for both local people and those delivering the power station, there is also considerable demand for commercial property which will be met, in part, through what is proposed.”

Andy Redman, director in the development team at property agent Savills, provided consultancy and agency advice to the landowner and facilitated the deal with Pigeon.

Andy commented: “The site represents an opportunity to deliver a significant amount of development in a district which desperately needs new housing, whilst also meeting the growing needs in the immediate environs as a result of the Sizewell C project. We look forward to seeing Pigeon take the project forward.”