Savills Cambridge secures land sale with Persimmon Homes Anglia

Persimmon Homes Anglia has purchased land off Norwich Road in Kilverstone, Thetford, as part of the wider 5,000-home Kingsfleet development.

The 82.45 acres (33.37 hectares) of land has outline planning permission with capacity to deliver over 650 new dwellings - with more than 60 properties earmarked for affordable homes.

The sale was agreed by the development team at Savills Cambridge on behalf of development manager Pigeon and site owners the Kilverstone Estate and The Crown Estate.

Persimmon Homes is the latest housebuilder to sign up to the Kingsfleet development, also known as the Thetford North Strategic Urban Extension (SUE).

The land has been sold for an undisclosed sum and includes a 22.98 acre (9.30 ha) site to the west of the A1075 with capacity to deliver approximately 269 homes - 27 of which will be affordable.

The housebuilder has also bought three parcels of land to the east of the A1075 totalling 59.47 acres (24.07 ha) with capacity to deliver approximately 410 properties - 41 of which will be allocated as affordable homes.

Tom Fraser, director in the development team at Savills Cambridge, said they were delighted to have exchanged contracts on the latest stage of what is an important site for the local area.

"The development represents an exciting opportunity to deliver sustainable growth in the shape of high quality residential and community uses in a prime location, and will significantly contribute to the supply of much-needed new homes," he said.

"We had strong interest from a number of parties but from the outset Persimmon demonstrated a capacity to meet the requirements of the site owners.

Michelle Baker, regional managing director for Persimmon Homes Anglia, added: "Securing this site in Thetford is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the strength and ambition of our team.

"With over 650 new homes planned, this development will not only help meet local housing demand but also create new jobs and opportunities across the region. Its strategic location near the A11 and Cambridge makes it an exciting prospect for future growth, and we're proud to be investing in the area."

Chris Sperrin, head of land for Persimmon Homes Anglia, continued: "The Thetford site represents a significant addition to our land portfolio and will play a key role in delivering high-quality homes for both Persimmon Homes and Charles Church. We're looking forward to progressing the planning application and starting work on site soon."

Will Stanton, founding director at Pigeon, said: "We are delighted that the latest allocation of housing land at Kingsfleet has been sold to Persimmon - a national housebuilder with a track record of delivering high quality homes.

"We have already been working closely with Persimmon to ensure the high standard of design and landscaping already established at Kingsfleet is maintained going forwards. This includes extensive engagement with the local planning authority and key local groups."

First approved in 2015, the Kingsfleet development skirts the north of Thetford with homes being built up to the A11 bypass. Overall the 704 acre (285 ha) scheme has planning permission for a total of 5,000 homes, 55.6 acres (22.5 ha) of employment land, three primary schools, open space and community and health care facilities.

Other developers already on board include Hopkins Homes, which is set to build 343 homes on the site by 2029, Tilia Homes which is building 130 properties and Taylor Wimpey which is building 225 dwellings.

The land for the development is being released in phases, with phase two set to deliver 1,100 homes, phase three just over 700 and the remainder split across phases four and five.