News

MAJOR WEST LONDON SITE SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT

May 2009

The Howard Group in Cambridge has concluded a major transaction in Hounslow for residential and commercial development.  

The 6.5 acre site was the home of the former Lascar Works factory where Beldam Lascar Seals Ltd traded since 1889. Chairman of the Company, Cambridge-based Richard Wright, has been working with the Howard Group over the past three years on this complex project. Demolition started on the site last year and the Company has been successful in obtaining planning for a residential and commercial scheme which together forms a £40 million mixed-use development.  

Detailed planning permission has been secured on 4 ½ acres for 225 residential units which will be a mixture of flats and houses. The Howard Group, together with agents Bidwells, has secured a sale of the residential site to A2Dominion Housing Group who is working in partnership with Cambridge-based Hill Residential. The A2Dominion Group is one of the country's leading providers of high quality housing and provides over 30,000 homes across London and southern England including homes for rent, sale and shared ownership, as well as temporary, student, sheltered, supported and key worker accommodation.

The 2 acre commercial development site has planning consent for 13 industrial units and has been purchased by HPG Developments, the development arm of the Howard Group.  

Nicholas Bewes, Howard Group Managing Director, commented; "We are delighted to have delivered a successful sale of an important residential development site in what is a very challenging market. This mixed use development when finished will deliver a high quality housing scheme combined with significant potential for employment opportunities within the local community. With the site just a few miles from Heathrow Airport, we are confident that commercial occupiers will be attracted to this location. The development will help regenerate this part of Hounslow in the midst of a tough recession. William Jewson, our Development Director, who has been closely involved in the project, has considerable experience around the West London and Heathrow area from his time working with SEGRO. His knowledge of the project and the local market will be invaluable as HPG Developments looks to develop out the commercial site."  

Chairman of Beldam Lascar Seals, Richard Wright commented; "This has been a very complex project and we are delighted with the end result. Over the past three years, we have formed an excellent working relationship with both the Howard Group and Bidwells who handled the sale. The site in itself has presented us with many problems to overcome; there was significant contamination, derelict buildings to demolish and clear and a lengthy planning process."