Gladedale launches new Special Projects Division

Gladedale, Britain’s biggest private house builder, has signalled its intention to become one of the UK’s leading players in tackling large-scale urban redevelopment projects.

Gladedale has created a new Special Projects division which brings together its strategic land portfolio, public sector partnerships and regeneration schemes under one umbrella.

It will target large mixed use schemes, typically involving major urban regeneration projects with public sector partners or through innovative joint ventures.

Gladedale Special Projects starts off with a land bank in excess of 250 acres and current live projects under its control with a gross development value in excess of £500m.

It plans to significantly grow this portfolio over the next two years and has been selected with John Laing Projects and Developments as preferred developer for a town centre redevelopment project in Royal Tunbridge Wells and short-listed, again with John Laing, for a project in Basildon, along with a solo project at Wokingham.

Gladedale Special Projects will be led by Divisional Chairman Ross Brodie, previously the Group Land and Planning Director, who has held a number of senior director roles at Gladedale.

His team also includes Paul Lemar, as Land and Planning Director, Ian Baird as Partnerships Director and John Murphy as Operations Director.

Gladedale Group Chief Executive David Gaffney said: “We see the new Special Projects division playing an increasing role in Gladedale’s expansion over the next five years. Over the last few years, we’ve built up considerable expertise in delivering complex, mixed use schemes such as Royal Quay in London Docklands, Oatlands in Glasgow, and the Quartermile development in Edinburgh.

“However, we believe that combining our strategic land portfolio with our partnership and regeneration activities will provide a concentrated focus for accelerated growth. We’re aiming to grow this division into one of the leading players in this space.”

Current developments being taken forward by Gladedale Special Projects include:

Bletchley, Milton Keynes - a £44.5m 300 home scheme with an associated leisure centre.

Hastings College – a £75m development in partnership with John Laing Projects and Developments to provide a new college for 2500 students and 100 homes.

Sleaford, Lincolnshire – a £45m project to convert 500,000 sq ft of a former maltings into 200 homes, 100,000 sq ft of office space and a new healthcare village.

Hampton Court - a £41m care facility for the Royal Star & Garter Homes, 66 residential apartments and hotel development on a 3.5 acre brownfield site.

Discover Barking in Essex – the £50m regeneration of a former warehouse into 255 apartments and 50 social rented apartments.

Royal Quay, London Docklands – a partnership with London Development Agency to develop 455 apartments, serviced office units and retail provision in a £130m development.

Oatlands, Glasgow – a £215m development to build 1200 new homes and community and leisure facilities to regenerate the Oatlands area in partnership with Glasgow City Council.

Ross Brodie said: “Gladedale Special Projects’ ability to work across an extensive range of areas is what will differentiate us in the marketplace. We will be concentrating on delivering large residentially led mixed use schemes which combine residential, commercial, social housing and civic infrastructure on challenging sites.

“We have a considerable track record already in urban and heritage based regeneration projects, working with local authorities and registered social landlords. In addition, we are building strategic relationships with other key players such as John Laing and Circle Anglia. We are particularly excited about the opportunities these partnerships present.

“As well as the town centre schemes we are working on, we have also been selected as ‘preferred developer’ for a rail infrastructure and residential scheme for over 400 homes near Regent’s Park. Bringing these activities together under one roof will considerably enhance our ability to deliver added value.”

Gladedale Special Projects will target strategic land, brownfield regeneration projects and redevelopment of former defence and hospital sites as well as partnerships with local authorities and civic-education projects.