The Willows, Glentham
A long-term planning and redevelopment strategy transforming a redundant garden centre into a successful residential development through multiple planning approvals, masterplanning and ongoing consultancy.
From Redundant Garden Centre to Residential Opportunity
The successful redevelopment of The Willows demonstrates how a clear planning strategy can unlock the potential of underused sites.
Following the closure of the former garden centre in 2019, the commercial buildings remained vacant for several years. Recognising the site's potential, our client appointed Fytche-Taylor to assess redevelopment opportunities and develop a long-term strategy that would maximise the value of the site while creating an attractive residential environment.
Rather than focusing on a single planning application, our approach considered the wider future of the site, combining residential conversion, masterplanning and ongoing planning consultancy to deliver a phased programme of development.
Delivering the First Phase of Regeneration
The first phase focused on converting the former garden centre buildings into seven high-quality homes through a combination of conversion and partial demolition.
Fytche-Taylor prepared the architectural design, coordinated the required technical consultants and managed the full planning application, demonstrating how the redevelopment would provide much-needed housing while making effective use of existing buildings.
Despite the scale of the proposed changes, the application received strong support from the Local Planning Authority and planning permission was granted with minimal conditions.
A Long-Term Development Strategy
Our involvement at The Willows has continued well beyond the initial planning approval.
Working alongside our client, we have developed a wider masterplan for the site, secured additional planning permissions, managed condition discharge applications and prepared further applications to optimise the site's development potential.
This ongoing relationship has enabled the project to evolve in response to changing requirements while maintaining a consistent planning strategy across the entire development.
Our Role
Throughout the redevelopment of The Willows, Fytche-Taylor has provided:
Strategic planning advice
Site appraisal and feasibility
Site masterplanning
Architectural design
Full Planning Applications
Section 73 Applications
Condition Discharge Applications
Non-Material Amendments
Planning Statements and Design & Access Statements
Coordination of technical consultants
Liaison with the Local Planning Authority
Ongoing planning consultancy throughout the site's development
The Outcome
The Willows demonstrates how a coordinated planning and design strategy can successfully regenerate redundant commercial sites.
Through multiple planning approvals and ongoing consultancy, Fytche-Taylor has helped transform a vacant former garden centre into a thriving residential development while establishing a clear framework for future phases of development.
The project highlights the value of combining strategic planning advice, architectural design and long-term project management to unlock development opportunities and maximise the potential of complex sites.
Planning a Site Regeneration or Residential Development?
Whether you're exploring redevelopment opportunities, promoting land or bringing forward a phased residential scheme, our experienced planning consultants can help unlock your site's full potential. See more on our Residential Development Services.
