Leading and award winning Build to Rent provider Placefirst submits a full planning application for Benwell Dene, its single-family Build to Rent scheme in Newcastle. Located two miles west of Newcastle city centre, the proposed scheme will redevelop the 2.75ha brownfield site which has been vacant for over a decade. If the scheme is approved, work is expected to start later this year.
Designed in partnership with JM Architects and Southern Green, Benwell Dene will deliver 146 units – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom single-family Build to Rent homes. 37 homes have been designed as Part M4(2) accessible and adaptable homes.
All homes have been designed to a high specification, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, with a fabric first approach to maximise thermal efficiency and renewable technologies – including photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. The neighbourhood will also accommodate electric vehicle charging and a resident car club.
Placefirst will manage the neighbourhood with its specialist teams – from the first rental enquiry through to maintaining each home with an onsite presence once the scheme is complete. Residents at Benwell Dene would benefit from skilled, friendly in-house teams, and dedicated resident services managers.
“Our plans for Benwell Dene seek to provide quality and choice in the single-family Build to Rent sector, which is currently underserved in Newcastle. We have designed a stand out neighbourhood which integrates sustainable features such as an innovative urban drainage network, communal open space and areas dedicated to resident wellbeing and habitat creation.”
James Litherland, Head of Planning, Placefirst
Placefirst has worked collaboratively with Newcastle City Council – and earlier this year, held a public consultation to present the proposed scheme and to engage with local residents for their input.
The Benwell Dene developments design integrates a network of sustainable urban drainage systems. It also includes Placefirst’s well renowned communal green spaces, as well as public open space and an area dedicated to habitat creation and biodiversity net gain.
Plans also respond to the historic layout of the site, working with the existing levels to create a modern and sustainable interpretation of the traditional terrace street pattern, with unique communal spaces which maximise views across the Tyne Valley.
“We are excited about the opportunity to transform this prominent brownfield site in the heart of the West End into an exceptional neighbourhood of 146 new homes. It has been designed specifically for long term rent and residents would benefit from well-maintained, energy efficient homes, with a strong sense of community.”
James Litherland, Head of Planning, Placefirst
Other key members of the Benwell Dene project team include civil and structural engineers, Curtins, project managers and planning consultants, Identity Consult, and MEP consultants, TACE.
Works at Placefirst’s The Oaks in Esh Winning, Durham is also well underway to build the largest delivery of bungalows in a generation in the area. The Build to Rent provider also has a portfolio of SFH schemes in the North East, which includes The Green in Hartlepool, Scholars View in Hetton-le-Hole.
