Delivering sustainable housing in Cannock

• The client: Cannock Chase District Council, a local authority redeveloping the former Aelfgar School brownfield site to deliver 58 mixed-tenure, energy efficient homes
• The challenge: Structuring a compliant legal framework for a 50/50 split of market and net-zero council homes while managing Secretary of State consents, Best Value rules, and subsidy control risks
• The outcome: Delivered robust development and construction agreements with Lovell, establishing a flexible plot sales structure that enables the council to progress a high quality, sustainable development

Supporting Cannock Chase District Council to deliver a mixed-tenure housing scheme that meets local need and aligns with long-term sustainability goals.

The challenge

We are advising Cannock Chase District Council on the redevelopment of the former Aelfgar School site, a 4.29-hectare brownfield site with outline planning permission for 58 homes. The scheme will deliver a 50/50 split between council homes for rent and homes for market sale, helping to meet housing demand while supporting the council’s regeneration and climate ambitions.

All council homes will be built to the Future Homes Standard, incorporating air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation heat recovery, solar panels, EV charging points and a fabric-first approach to insulation. These features will ensure high energy efficiency and contribute to the council’s net zero targets.

The solution

We drafted and negotiated the Development Agreement and JCT Design and Build Contract with Lovell, the appointed developer under the West Midlands Construction Framework. Our work ensured the legal framework supported both planning submission and construction delivery, while maintaining flexibility for future plot sales.

As Lovell will not take ownership of the land, we structured the transaction to enable plot-by-plot sales directly to purchasers. We also advised on the council’s retention of landscaped areas and estate roads, pending adoption by the Highways Authority.
Our role included securing Secretary of State consent for the redevelopment and disposal of the former school site, and working with Lovell to sensitively relocate a memorial to a former student to a nearby school.

To mitigate subsidy control risk and demonstrate compliance with S123 Best Value requirements, we secured a Red Book valuation confirming the transaction proceeded at market value. We also incorporated a commercial buy-back mechanism to incentivise delivery and ensure the deal remained a land transaction, outside the scope of public procurement rules.

The impact

Our support has enabled Cannock Chase District Council to move forward with a sustainable, community-focused development that delivers high-quality homes and long-term value.