A select development of substantial detached properties selling for
values between £1 million and £1.5 million.
After many years of decline Oatlands Park Cricket Club
stopped operating as a playing club in 1997 and after an
extensive marketing campaign CALA was selected as
preferred bidder for the redevelopment of the five acre
site. Our development proposal met with opposition
from all quarters with both the national press and
national television joining in the condemnation of our
scheme. In addition to this, opposition from the MCC
and Sport England strongly objected to the loss of
playing fields despite an over-provision in the borough
of Elmbridge.
Surrounding neighbours felt so strongly about our
development proposal that they broke into our site and
along with the vice-chairman of the planning committee,
strapped themselves to trees in an anti-development
protest against CALA.
Faced with this level of opposition many may have
thrown in the towel but we persevered and through
an extensive programme of community exhibitions and
private presentations, we eventually managed to change
the opinion of local ward councillors. In addition to this
and as a fantastic example of community liaison, we
secured the appearance of the one-time chairman of
the "Save Oatlands Park" anti-development committee
to actually give evidence on our behalf at the successful
planning appeal.
This Case Study illustrates:
- CALA's confidence in developing and selling houses at
the luxury end of the market.
- CALA's ability and willingness to work with all
interested bodies and to listen/act upon their feedback.
- CALA's ability to change even the deepest-routed
development bias through careful consultation.
- CALA's ability to use high quality design to enhance and
improve surrounding areas.