You read it here first....Redrow withdraws from Chilton Woods

Pie in the sky?

Redrow, the major UK house builder, has withdrawn as the preferred developer of the important Chilton Woods Site to the North of Sudbury.

Local Babergh members and Parish and Town Councillors were not told the news, but found out indirectly.  This was a regrettable lapse on the part of officers and yet again raises questions about transparency and genuine commitment to community engagement. In any event, the County Council have now publicly confirmed that Redrow is no longer participating in the scheme.

This is something of a setback to say the least,  but at present it seems that Suffolk County Council remains committed to principle of developing the site as outlined in the master plan,   However they are now proposing some small reductions in the amount of community land to be included and other small changes, details of which need further investigation.  This has already set alarm bells ringing in some quarters as people suspect that their commitment to the provision of high quality community assets for the new settlement may be wavering.

I have always had misgivings about Redrow's level of commitment to the scheme given the very high expectations of the community with regard to the provision of woodland, open space, community halls etc.  Those who listened carefully to what they said at numerous presentations would have clearly heard their representatives urging caution with regard to how much 'community gain' could reasonably be afforded.

The company has been under the corporate spotlight in recent months due to the failure of a rights issue and the failed attempt by the company's founder to take the company private.   It is hard to know if this had anything to do with the company's decision, but it is certainly likely that the company has undertaken a review of its portfolio and decided that other schemes offer higher potential returns.  The last straw is thought to be the cost of providing electricity to the site, figures of between £8 and £13 million being suggested.

Redrow’s withdrawal should give Babergh Members and officers pause for thought. Indeed planning authorities generally need to wake up and smell the coffee.   In the heady days of high profitability for house builders, demands for a high percentage of affordable housing, shiny community assets and expensive infrastructure were accepted, albeit reluctantly, by developers.  Those days are past, and are unlikely to return soon.  This is unlikely to be the last disappointment in this area.