Construction set to start on 'high-spec' homes in greenbelt location

Construction is set to start on a set of upmarket homes in Taplow – which have recently had £9million pumped into them from a FTSE 250 bank.

The 16 ‘high specification’ homes are set for land at Joe’s Folly, a semi-rural setting with views across the lake. The region contains Amerden Ponds, Taplow Lakes and the Jubilee River.

The development will feature a mix of family homes ‘designed with sustainability and modern living in mind.’

The plan replaces a single existing house, kennels, a cattery and grooming buildings. Joe’s Folly kennels in Amerden Close are marked as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.

New homes will be arranged in eight pairs of semi-detached houses, and each would benefit from a ‘generous private amenity space.’

Six of the sixteen proposed homes would be affordable.

Plans were approved in September 2024 (ref PL/23/1309/FA) – despite the site being in the greenbelt.

This is down to two things, mainly – one, there was already nearly 5,000 cubic metres of built form there, and Buckinghamshire also struggles with a ‘titled balance.’

In short, each local authority has to demonstrate it has earmarked enough land for five years’ worth of housing.

If calculations show there is no five-year housing land supply, the balance is tilted in favour of the developer,

This means the harm of any housing proposal has to be ‘significant and demonstrable’ to justify turning it down – or the developer can take it to appeal and would likely win.

Application documents stress that there was a 2.7-year housing land supply at the time, tilting the balance.

A previous application for the same site was withdrawn over concerns with the design and layout, leading the scheme to be ‘completely rethought’ and reformed as a ‘coherent street-scape arranged around a cul-de-sac.

The new design will look similar to traditional local buildings, the application says.

The developer has also agreed to pay money towards a scheme that protects Burnham Beeches, a legally protected Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Each property will include electric vehicle charging points, high-performance insulation and energy-efficient heating systems.

As such, the scheme is projected to achieve an EPC rating of A, the highest grade for energy efficiency, meaning the homes will be more environmentally friendly and cost less to run.

In the latest news, Paragon Bank has provided £9million in backing for the housing scheme, which will help with both the acquisition of the land and the construction of the homes.

If the housing does hit that target for highest grade energy efficiency, it will qualify for Paragon’s Green Homes initiative, which rewards small and medium house-builders for building energy-efficient homes.

Steve Mountain, senior relationship director at Paragon Bank, led the £9million deal. He said:

“Joe’s Folly combines sustainable design in a picturesque lakeside setting with excellent transport links.

“It’s exactly the kind of scheme we’re keen to support – one that delivers value to both the local community and the environment.”

Mackenzie Homes, the developer, says Taplow ‘continues to attract strong buyer interest’.

The local housing market ‘remains resilient’ – with demand for energy-efficient homes in well-connected, semi-rural locations ‘outpacing supply.’

Construction is set to commence soon – and expected to be complete by February 2027.