International law firm Gowling WLG has advised longstanding client Bloor Homes on the acquisition of three golf clubs to build nearly 3,000 new homes.
Bloor homes is one of the UK's top 10 national house builders and has been looking at new ways of finding viable land, without impacting greenbelts, to build much needed housing stock across the UK. This has culminated in the purchase of disused golf clubs across the UK, including:
North Worcestershire Golf Club, an 83-acre site that will pave the way for the development of more than 700 homes, 35% of which will be affordable housing, to serve the Birmingham Northfield area. The club had been out of use and the development will allow the community to benefit from much needed homes alongside a new green space.
The second site is Basingstoke Golf Club, which will be developed into a @1200-home housing development with a retail centre, community building, day nursery, sports facilities, open space and associated infrastructure. Bloor Homes have obtained planning consent and as part of the transaction funded the acquisition of a new course for the members and significant enhancements to that course.
Finally, South Winchester Golf Club will be reshaped into a new housing complex, set to include @1200 new homes, a park and ride facility, a primary school, public open space, and sports pitches. The golf course will continue to be in use until 2025.
Gowling WLG advised on the real estate aspects of the acquisitions.
Duncan Murphy, partner at Gowling WLG said: "The past year has seen a boom in house purchases and new build reservations as buyers seek out properties that better suit their family's needs. As a national housebuilder, Bloor is in an ideal position to utilise the space provided to build not just homes, but communities and we're pleased to have worked with them on these most recent deals."
Gowling WLG's residential development team advises a number of the top 10 UK housebuilders and operates a complete service for all aspects of development work from large scale consortium developments, joint ventures and public/private partnerships through to the sale of residential units.