New Senior Appointment at Summerfield Homes

Summerfield Homes, has continued to grow its team with the appointment of a new Divisional Director to head up strategic land and planning. 

Neal Jillings joins the housebuilder as Divisional Director for Strategic Land & Planning in his new role based at the firm’s Taunton office bringing with him over two decades of experience within residential development across the region.

Neal is a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and brings with him a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience.  This includes working for a local planning authority, the Planning Inspectorate, Savills and, more recently, running his own practice where he has recently been working with the team at Summerfield Homes in a consultancy capacity.

In his new role, Neal will be responsible for identifying and progressing future opportunities for housing schemes in the South West in line with Summerfield Homes’ growth plans. Neal will also be working on progressing the planning strategy for some of the company’s existing strategic land assets from Plymouth to North Somerset.

Ed Khodabandehloo, Managing Director at Summerfield Homes, said: “I am pleased to continue our growth plans with the appointment of a highly qualified and well-respected professional in Neal. We have some exciting strategic land holdings across Devon and Somerset and with Neal on board we can really focus on bringing these to fruition as well as adding to the company’s already expanding land portfolio.”

Commenting on his new appointment, Neal Jillings said: “I have enjoyed working with Summerfield Homes as one of my key clients and taking up Ed’s offer is a fantastic opportunity for me.  I have worked in planning and development throughout the South West for almost 30 years.  I hope to bring some of that experience to bear in helping Summerfield Homes maintain its position as a respected and successful regional housebuilder”

Summerfield Homes announces it’s first Net Zero development in Middlezoy

Summerfield Homes has secured permission to build 26 new homes, including affordable properties, in Middlezoy.

The Somerset based housebuilder has been given consent for the development on land off Back Lane, which will be Summerfield Homes first Net Zero Carbon project.

With new access and highways improvements as part of the scheme, the development will have a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes, of which a number will be handed over to a local housing association. This comes after a 2021 housing needs survey highlighted the requirement for more affordable homes in the area.

Not only will the development benefit from being a Net Zero scheme but also, each property will be constructed with the latest energy efficient features such as a renewable energy source, PV solar panels and shower saves. Summerfield Homes is also installing a variety of bird and bat boxes, bee bricks and hedgehog friendly fencing within the development for local wildlife to thrive in the area.

Planning permission was granted to Summerfield Homes on appeal after the planning committee turned it down. The application went to committee with the planning offices recommendation and no technical objection from highways or other consultees.

The village is accessible to travel routes including the A372 that goes to Bridgwater in approximately seven miles; Junction 24 of the M5 motorway in approximately nine miles and the A361 that goes to the County Town, Taunton in approximately 14 miles.

Commenting on the appeal decision, Ed Khodabandehloo, Managing Director at Summerfield Homes, said: ‘I’m very pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has made the decision in favour of our appeal. We submitted a policy compliant application that had no technical objections, full policy support and included ten affordable homes to meet part of a long-standing need for affordable housing identified within the village.

“We are delighted with the outcome and look forward to returning to Middlezoy to build these properties in what is a very desirable Somerset village.” 

Summerfield Welcomes Dulux Decorator Center to Bristol Business Park

Summerfield Commercial is delighted to announce the successful letting of a newly refurbished industrial unit on Eagleswood Business Park to Dulux Decorator Centre.

The property is situated on the prominent and well-established business park, located less than one mile from Junction 16 of the M5 and in close proximity to the Bristol M4/M5 interchange.  The business park offers a well established industrial and trade location, with excellent transport links to the motorway network and Bristol City Centre.

Dulux Decorator Centre will be joining nearby occupiers on the park who include Denmans, Sunbelt Rentals, Focus Training, Rexel and Carpetright.

Jason Sayle, Head of UK Real Estate for Dulux Decorator Centre said: We are excited to add the new store to our network. It’s going to be a real asset to the local community, making Dulux Decorator Centre more accessible to our customers in the area. We very much look forward to trading out of Eagleswood Business Park.”

Will Grant, Divisional Director – Portfolio Management, Summerfield Commercial, said:We are delighted to welcome Dulux Decorator Centre to Eagleswood Business Park and wish them every success here.  This is the second Summerfield Commercial owned property Dulux now operate from, reflecting the great relationship we have built over recent years.”

Tom Watkins, Director – Industrial & Logistics at Colliers said: “We’re really pleased to have secured the letting of Unit 3 so soon after launching the building to the market, setting a new record headline rent for the business park. This is a testament to Summerfield for their decision to speculatively commit to a programme of refurbishment works, which limited the void period and allowed us to secure rental growth, despite the economic slowdown.”

Development underway at Carrots Farm, North Petherton

Summerfield Homes have officially started works on 20 new homes at Carrots Farm, North Petherton.

This development will have a collection of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes positioned in a prime location just under 1 mile from Junction 24 of the M5 Motorway.

Since acquiring the land earlier in the year Summerfield Homes have received high levels of interest in the properties and expect this to be a highly sought after development.

Carrots Farm will also deliver areas of open space, a local area of play and affordable housing.

Ed Khodabandehloo, Managing Director at Summerfield Homes commented; “We are delighted to have started at Carrots Farm in North Petherton, delivering 20 homes to this popular Somerset village. Our sales team look forward to welcoming customers to the development in early 2023.”

Next Phase of Killams Park Underway in Taunton, Somerset

Summerfield Homes are pleased to announce the start of works to the third phase of their award winning new homes development in Taunton; Killams Park.

With work originally starting in 2016, the development has won five awards for the quality of the homes which include 2, 3 and 4 bed homes. The third phase, now well underway, will also see the construction of affordable homes under Summerfield’s My Homes initiative, amongst the first 26 of the final 101 properties left to build in the third phase.

As part of the phase three plans, Summerfield Homes have included a new play area for the benefit of the local community as well as considerable levels of open space and allotments.

The development located in southern part of Taunton has excellent travel routes and Junction 25 of the M5 is jst a 4-mile drive from the site.

Josh Cooper has been recently promoted to Site Manager at Killams Park from his previous role as Assistant Site Manager.  Mark Woodland has now taken the role as the companies Project Manager overseeing the construction of multiple housing projects

Ed Khodabandehloo, Managing Director at Summerfield Homes said: “Killams Park has become one of the most sought after places to live in the Taunton area and I’m pleased to be progressing with Phase Three. Our sales team look forward to welcoming prospective purchasers to the development later this year.”

30 New Jobs at new Removals and Storage Facility at Westpark 26

SUMMERFIELD Commercial are pleased to announce the creation of up to 30 new employment opportunities following the start of works on a 15,200 sq ft (1,412 sq m) warehouse and storage facility for the Fox Group.

Work commenced on Block 5Z at the growing Westpark 26 development last month (February 2022) and will see Fox Self Storage taking occupation alongside Chudley International Removals, relocating from Illminster, by the end of the year.

The bespoke build is part of the Fox Group’s expansion plans and is due to create and retain up to 30 new skilled and semi-skilled jobs, whilst also providing a self storage facility to meet local and regional demand.

Ben Trickey, Commercial Director at Summerfield said: “The creation of jobs is always a welcome part of any new commercial development we undertake as a business; enhancing the local economy further.

I’m delighted to be able to have commenced work on this latest development at Block 5Z for the Fox Group, enabling their continued growth and expansion here in Somerset.”

Fox Group was founded in 1971 and the latest development, it’s eighth site in the UK was confirmed during the company’s 50th year of trading as a family business.

Paul Fox, Managing Director of Fox Group said: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm Summerfield Commercial have started work on site at Westpark 26 recently and I will be undertaking recruitment for staff within the coming months.

The high bay warehousing and storage facility will continue to serve the business, offering national and international home and business relocation services, alongside our ever-popular range of self storage options for homes and businesses, here in Somerset.”

Westpark 26 has established itself as a prime modern business park, with a range of amenities, serving both the Wellington/Taunton area and the wider M5 corridor. The 200,000 sq ft (18,500 sq m) site features industrial warehouses, distribution depots, workshops, trade counters, offices and small employment units with planning consent in place for further uses including logistics, manufacturing and health, as well as frontage and road side options.

The business park boasts a range of existing amenities including a 60-bed Travelodge hotel, the Skylark pub, Shell service station with a Budgens convenience store and Subway, in addition to Costa and McDonald’s restaurants, both with drive-thru facilities.

Summerfield secures two national trade counters at Westpark 26

SUMMERFIELD Commercial announce Toolstation & Screwfix have both leased new units on the latest phase of development at the established business park, situated just off junction 26 of the M5.

Blocks C and D comprise of two terraces of industrial units that suit trade counter or light manufacturing occupiers. Screwfix and Toolstation have leased units in Block C of 4,100 sq ft and 2,800 sq ft respectively and will be in occupation during February 2022.

The remaing two units in Block C, comprising a total of approx. 5,437 sq ft are also under offer with completion anticipated in March of this year.

A further 4 units in the adjacent Block D are available for lease offering 2,572 sq ft each, or up to a combined total of approx. 10,288 sq. ft, subject to the requirements of any occupier’s needs, with dedicated and communal parking onsite.  

Ben Trickey, Commercial Director at Summerfield said: “Having two such well-regarded national trade counter operators both taking leases at Westpark 26 is indicative of the business park’s success. It’s a very welcome move from Screwfix and Toolstation who both have their heritage here in Somerset, and we’re looking forward to welcoming all of our new occupiers this spring.”

Colliers acted for Screwfix and Adept Consultancy acted for Toolstation.

Philip MacLachlan, Managing Director at Adept Consultancy, commented on Toolstation’s latest development: “With over 500 branches across the UK, Westpark 26 was a prime location for the growth of our branches both in the South West and the UK.”

Westpark 26 has established itself as a prime modern business park, with a range of amenities, serving both the Wellington/Taunton area and the wider M5 corridor. The 200,000 sq ft (18,500 sq m) site features industrial warehouses, distribution depots, workshops, trade counters, offices and small employment units with planning consent in place for further uses including logistics, manufacturing and health, as well as frontage and road side options.

The business park boasts a range of existing amenities including a 60-bed Travelodge hotel, the Skylark pub, Shell service station with a Budgens convenience store and Subway, in addition to Costa and McDonald’s restaurants, both with drive-thru facilities.

 Tim Western of JLL and Andrew Maynard of Alder King, joint marketing agents, commented ‘Summerfield’s strategy to speculatively construct modern business space has again paid dividends with these latest signings by well-known trade counter operators. Wellington is growing significantly as a town with large housing developments and Westpark 26 provides valuable employment opportunities’.

For further information on the latest availability at Westpark 26, please contact the joints agents; Tim Western of JLL or Andrew Maynard at Alder King.

Somerset Housebuilder Returns To Watchet

Summerfield Homes are pleased to announce the purchase of a development which will comprise of 250 new homes in Watchet, Somerset. 

This acquisition represents the single largest purchase the regional housebuilding business has made, and shows Summerfield’s commitment in continuing to invest long term in housing and particularly within the Somerset West and Taunton area.

Summerfield Homes plan to commence work in early 2022 and the development will offer a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes. A new carpark and gates will also be constructed for the benefit of Knights Templar Community Church School and Nursery.

Ed Khodabandehloo, Director at Summerfield (pictured) commented:

‘We are delighted to be back investing and building in Watchet a town that is becoming increasingly popular. We’re already gathering interest and very much look forward to welcoming purchasers to the sites marketing suite which we anticipate will be open in autumn 2022.’

FIRST HOMES RELEASED FOR SALE IN WELLINGTON

Summerfield are pleased to announce the first releases at Blackdown Meadow, Wellington.

The development is conveniently located off Taunton Road (B3187) meaning it offers excellent travel routes via the M5 to nearby towns and cities. It comprises of just 23 traditionally built properties offering a range of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes. Every property at Blackdown Meadow benefits from 2 years customer after care and a 10 year NHBC warranty.

The first two 4 bedroom detached properties with south facing rear gardens have been released with prices from £350,000. Further releases of 2 & 3 bedroom properties will follow in the next couple of months.

Summerfield also offer a My Home scheme which provides purchasers the opportunity to buy a new home at 20% less than the open market value. The purchaser owns the whole property and there is no rent to pay, which there would be if it was a shared ownership scheme. There is criteria that must be met to purchase a My Home at Blackdown Meadow, for more information on this please contact us.

“ Very good progress is being made on site at Blackdown Meadow and we look forward to moving in new home owners from early next year.” commented Ed Khodabandehloo, Director at Summerfield.

If you would like further information about Blackdown Meadow please call 01823 257961 or email enquiries@summerfield.co.uk

Good news at West Country business park

Westpark 26 business park at Chelston, Wellington – developed by Summerfield – is to welcome a new 140 seater restaurant and drive-thru McDonald’s.

Working with Devon Contractors, Summerfield are currently on site to deliver the new building for McDonald’s.  Construction works are due to be practically completed by Q1, 2021, with McDonalds planning to open early in 2021. The new restaurant will create 65 new full time and part time jobs (45 full time equivalent positions) in a time when hundreds of new homes are being developed around Wellington and when new opportunities for employment are scarce.

‘We are excited to be part of this development and look forward to the new jobs our restaurant will create, and the investment it will bring to the local area.’, commented a McDonald’s spokesperson.

 McDonald’s will join a Costa Coffee drive thru along with The Skylark Pub, a Subway and a Budgens convenience store as part of the petrol filling station.

“McDonald’s will add to the existing amenities on site at Westpark, offering the resident and local businesses an excellent working environment and amenities”, commented Ben Trickey, Summerfield’s Commercial Director.

Summerfield are now working up plans for a further terrace of Trade Counter and industrial warehouse units – and terms have been agreed with the first occupier.  All enquiries to Summerfield’s agents Alder King or JLL – or direct to Summerfield.

In the photo are, Left to Right: David Partridge, (Divisional Director) Ben Trickey (Commercial Director) & James Holyday (Group Commercial Director) of Summerfield, with Darren Hunt (Quantity Surveyor), Simon Lawrence (Contracts Manager) and Lee Middleton (Site Manager) of Devon Contractors.