Home Farm Hub, Hertfordshire, 2020-present
Hybrid workspace restoration development | Budget £5m
I was put in touch with the Gibbs family, owners of the Aldenham Estate in Elstree Hertfordshire, in 2020, as a result of my previous experience managing commercial and historic developments.
Green Belt development sensitivities
The Client had the opportunity to transform their historic Victorian farm building assets at Home Farm into a charming workspace destination fit for the next generation of hybrid workers, who once were used to commuting daily, to and from Central London.
The project is set in 150 acres of Green Belt land where town meets country in Hertsmere Borough Council, on the Greater London/Hertfordshire border. Its position required a highly-balanced approach, celebrating the heritage of the site while meeting the high-speed needs of a post-pandemic workforce.
Multi-faceted development
The project involves a combination of new build and careful restoration of listed buildings utilising sustainable technologies for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ development.
Workspace planning application success
In early 2022, we were overjoyed to receive planning permission first time around. Supported by strong sustainability credentials, sympathetic design in keeping with the protected land in which Home Farm sits and a solid team of experts, our plans were met with full support and excitement.
Early project management learnings
With the project now in full flow, looking back at the early stages of the journey, communication and collaboration have proven critical in its success so far.
The Land Owner is a significant presence in the local community, therefore stakeholder management was, and still is, key throughout, demanding a mindful balance between commercial success and the needs of the local community.
Local community consultation experiences
For example, a large part of this stage of the development involved well-thought-through community engagement and communication, including a warm and welcoming 2-day consultation event to allow the local residents and business owners to ask questions and share in the exciting prospect of the development.
Diversity in our property development team’s skill set
What’s already been made clear is the importance of having a deep understanding of the creativity and discipline required to incept and deliver a successful project in everyone’s eyes.
Only by maximising the skills of the correct consultants to deliver the technical, political and local requirements did we achieve a successful planning application of a sizeable and unique nature in the area.
In this case, the involvement of a specialist Strategic Planning Consultant grew the credibility of the scheme, supporting the team’s hard work and determination to transform the client’s vision and ideals into reality.
Jessica Allen-Back, Owner and Estate Director, comments:
“We are delighted that Hertsmere have approved this exciting project, and we can’t wait to restore and repurpose the farm for the benefit of the local business community and future generations. This regeneration and landscaping work will preserve the ecological integrity of the farm and help it to thrive for years to come.”
Next steps with hybrid workspace development
With planning permission achieved, now as a team we move to deliver the project for the client, navigating the challenge to balance financial success with creating an asset that contributes to the local community and honours the sensitive location and history of the project.
Let’s talk
I am looking to talk to landowners of other brownfield sites with the potential for interesting development opportunities and to breathe new life into forgotten historical buildings.
Get in touch to discuss leading your next big project with just as much care and attention as you. Schedule a call or take a few minutes to outline your next opportunity here and I’ll get back to you quickly.
David Sowerby
Director, Sowerby Property
T. +44 7787 168667