Residential Development Team Acts for Catesby Estates in 162-Acre Mixed-Use Site Sale

Catesby Estates, a leading strategic land promoter, has completed the sale of Straits Mill, a 162-acre site in Braintree, Essex, to Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, with the help of our residential development team.

The site has been sold to Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Eastern Counties division, with outline permission for up to 1,000 homes, a new school, retail and employment space.

The site was secured by Catesby Estates as part of the recent acquisition of L&Q Estates in August 2024. Five landowners entered into a promotion agreement in 2017, ahead of the team securing an allocation in Braintree Council’s adopted Local Plan, working through several technical constraints and subsequently receiving outline planning approval in 2021.

As well as education, retail, employment and 30% affordable housing provision, a network of cycling and pedestrian facilities are also set to be introduced, alongside improvements to the river walk to the south of the site.

During the construction phase this site is expected to create 800 direct and indirect new jobs, and around a further 40 once the educational facilities are established.

Joanna Deffley, partner, who led the sale on behalf of Catesby Estates, said: “We have been advising on this site since February 2016, initially securing exclusivity agreements with the landowner, followed by negotiating and exchanging the Promotion Agreement in 2017.

“Since then, our role has included advising on key planning documentation, including the Section 106 agreement and its subsequent variation. The site presented a range of technical and title challenges, for which we provided strategic, solution-focused advice. We also supported throughout the sale process to Barratt, working closely with the landowner’s solicitor to ensure a successful outcome.”

Adrian Clack, Group Land Director at Catesby Estates, commented: “Straits Mill is an impressive site but it also came with a number of technical and title challenges and so it is testament to the team for securing its allocation within the Council’s adopted Local Plan and subsequently receiving outline consent for a scheme that will have long lasting benefits for its residents and surrounding community. Catesby Estates is now delighted to have sold the land to Barratt and David Wilson Homes, and we look forward to seeing the company transform the site into a thriving new community.

“This announcement comes as we gear up to what we expect to be an exceptional year for Catesby Estates. The acquisition of L&Q Estates has played a significant role in us achieving this success as not only have we gained impressive new talent but the quality of, and demand for, its additional sites has allowed us to cement our position as one of the leading strategic land promoters in the UK.”

Also working on the deal from our team were legal planning partner Paul Wakefield and solicitor Anthony Chan.