Solihull-based Terra Strategic has made a director-level appointment to drive residential land and development opportunities. Richard Pitt has joined the rapidly growing property business as a Strategic Planning Director, with a focus on progressing sites through the planning system.
Terra Strategic is an experienced residential land specialist, which enters into agreements with landowners and then pursues, funds and secures an agreeable planning permission. It also has the financial resources to secure land with or without residential planning consent to assist landowners looking for a quick sale process. The company has a national reach, having secured residential land in Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
Richard Pitt joins Terra from Wolverhampton-headquartered Housing Association Bromford. He held the position of Senior Planning Manager, managing a national planning team which covered 43 different Local Authorities. Prior to that, Richard was Associate Land and Planning Director at Mather Jamie, a land and planning consultancy based in the East Midlands. Mr Pitt has also previously worked for IM Properties as a Strategic Planning Specialist, at Barratt Homes as a Planning Manager, and as a Senior Planning Officer for Wolverhampton Council, where he commenced his career in 2007. He obtained a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Wolverhampton, followed by a Post-graduate Diploma in Urban Design, and a MA in Spatial Planning – both from Birmingham City University.
Richard Pitt has strong relationships with architects, planning officers, planning consultancies and barristers. In addition to planning matters, he is experienced in residential development appraisals, land promotion contracts, and identifying strategic opportunities.
James O’Shea, Managing Director of Terra Strategic said: “We are delighted that an experienced planner with the gravitas that Richard has is joining the team. Being able to progress sites through the planning system and find new solutions to long-standing issues is critical to the eventual delivery of much-needed quality new homes. Where we differ from other strategic land businesses is our ability to secure the best result and value for each site, whether that be through an open market sale, or via our sister companies; Hayfield, which specialises in luxury homes and Living Space, which delivers affordable housing to Registered Providers.”
Terra Strategic has a live planning application in progress with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for the second phase of its ‘canal village’ scheme in Hawkesbury, Warwickshire. The proposal for 296 new homes is designed to complete the regeneration scheme where Vistry Group will be delivering the first phase of 204 homes, while Living Space undertakes £3m of enabling works, new infrastructure and community facilities.
Other Terra schemes currently being progressed through the planning system include Banwell Garden Village in North Somerset; a 38-acre site in the South Derbyshire town of Swadlincote; a 47-acre site in the historic South Staffordshire village of Acton Trussell; and the 307-acre Cainhoe Wood Golf Club in central Bedfordshire.
Richard Pitt, Strategic Planning Director for Terra Strategic said: “The political focus on brownfield sites is creating a chronic shortage of market and affordable housing in towns and villages across the UK. My specialism is identifying and assessing new development opportunities and proactively managing the promotion of strategic sites through the planning process. In doing so, I hope to help the Terra team achieve many more successes, such as the recent housing allocation, planning approval, and subsequent sale of the first phase of the canal village scheme in Hawkesbury.”