Leominster Sustainable Urban Extension

Project overview   

Pegasus Group has successfully submitted two planning applications to Herefordshire Council on behalf of Satnam Investments Ltd and Richborough for the Leominster Sustainable Urban Extension, a major mixed-use development on land south-west of Leominster.  

The scheme, allocated under the Herefordshire Local Plan, comprises approximately 1,650 homes, a new link road, supermarket, local centre, community hub, public open space, land for a primary school and pre-school, and associated infrastructure and landscaping. Pegasus Group coordinated and submitted two planning applications to Herefordshire Council to bring forward the urban extension proposals, with the applications split into the Western Parcel (Satnam Investments Ltd) and Eastern Parcel (Richborough). The sites were masterplanned and assessed together as one, meaning the proposal represents a comprehensively designed, sustainable, and functionally integrated extension to the town of Leominster.  

The challenge

The project called for Pegasus and the wider consultant team to address various technical challenges, integrate complex infrastructure, and assess a diverse range of uses, all within the context of a valued local environment and the requirements of the Herefordshire Local Plan.  

The solution

Pegasus established a multidisciplinary team across its Planning, Infrastructure, Transport, Design, Environment, and Heritage expertises. The team prepared the planning applications alongside other key contributors (see below), undertook the masterplanning and associated testing layouts, delivered engineering and infrastructure design, as well as the transport planning and design, and the environmental impact assessment. The result was a robust, sensitive proposal that met the needs of the community and the requirements of the Local Plan.   

To reach this milestone, the team worked collaboratively with the clients, local planning authority, consultant team, and community. Extensive stakeholder engagement and an independent Design Review Panel process were essential to ensure the scheme’s quality and manage its sensitivities.  

Both applications demonstrate the strength of partnership between Pegasus and the clients and the cohesive working nature of the project team. The comprehensive approach and positive engagement set the stage for a productive and timely determination of both applications. 

Joe Jones, Regional Director (Midlands) for Richborough, commented: ”Richborough was formally instructed to promote the strategic housing allocation (LEO2) in 2024 under the agreement with the owners that a planning application would be prepared and submitted at the earliest available opportunity. We chose to work with Pegasus due to their expertise and ability to manage the project including the multiple disciplines of highways, design, heritage, engineering, EIA as one coherent team under one roof. 

“The site has various ownership, planning, legal and technical complexities that required extensive team and stakeholder engagement, led by Pegasus, to ensure a detailed outline planning application could be submitted on behalf of Richborough and the landowner. 

“Pegasus are retained to continue with the post-submission negotiations on the planning application and we look forward to working with them on future projects.”  

Colin Griffiths, Director of Satnam Investments Ltd, said: “Pegasus Group have skilfully guided the formulation of the applications for Leominster culminating in applications which I am sure will be approved leading to a successful development. The team’s commitment has been clear at all stages”. 

Other contributors 

Other key contributors: Appletons, SLR, Five Rivers, Kernon Consulting, EFM, Accon, Air Quality Consultants, Love Design Studio, Avison Young, and Healer Surveys.

Image credit: James Holyoak.