As part of our new ‘A Focus On’ series, we would today like to shine a spotlight on a key member of our senior team – our Land Director, Simon Tofts. Our new ‘A Focus On’ series will introduce a member of our team, find out more about their role within Blue Cedar Homes, as well as touch upon their experience and any advice they have to share with future co-workers.  

In his role as Land Director, Simon oversees the entire land and planning process right up until the sale of the new homes, which includes identifying new land opportunities, planning and design of the scheme, overseeing the legal process, purchasing land, and getting sites ready for construction.

Well-practised in obtaining planning permission on sensitive sites in highly sought-after areas, Simon’s experience and expertise plays an instrumental part in helping us take the lead on providing low-density but high-quality, age-exclusive housing in some of the most beautiful and highly desirable locations.

Simon says: “Following several years of steady growth, and a near sell-out year for Blue Cedar Homes in 2021, we’re at an exciting point as we work on progressing planning and launching a series of new schemes in 2022.

“With an ambitious programme which aims to meet the rising demand for quality new homes for older people, it’s rewarding to be able to play a part in Blue Cedar Homes’ mission to deliver purpose-built housing which is so desperately needed both locally and nationally. Also, by developing these new age-exclusive homes we’re also contributing to a much bigger property picture – freeing up larger family homes and helping younger generations to move up the property ladder. 

“The truth of it is, building high-quality housing in some of the South West’s best locations is no easy task. Applying to build new dwellings in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historically protected sites and/or on land close to the sea can take a long time as there are a number of sensitivities attached to the land which must be dealt with.  

“For me, the best part comes when, and if, we do finally achieve planning consent to build our new homes. In completing what is an extremely meticulous and protracted process, we really can feel confident that our new schemes will be making a positive difference to the local community when we achieve consent. In fact, we’re often told that once our developments have been built, people feel like they’ve always been there because they align so well with the local surroundings. It’s why so much thought and attention to detail goes into designing our schemes, so that they really enhance and complement the environmental, sustainable, and historic aspects of the surrounding area.

“The thoughtful planning which goes into our schemes is also why, contrary to other larger new home developers, our schemes work for the local community, instead of against them. We’ve found that around 40% of Blue Cedar Homes purchasers live within a five-mile radius of the new development.”

Simon joined the team at Blue Cedar Homes in July 2013 and has swiftly advanced from Planning Manager, to Land and Planning Manager, to now Land Director in April 2020.

Our Managing Director, Nick Hole, says: “During his time with Blue Cedar Homes, Simon has finalised planning applications on some distinctly unique sites, such as our Tannery Gardens development in Bampton, Oxfordshire. There were numerous hurdles attached to this site that many other developers struggled to overcome, including a negative impact on the conservation area. Through our carefully designed layout, we were able to overcome these concerns. The delivery of specialist retirement housing was also seen as a key benefit. That’s why we’re so pleased to have Simon onboard to help lead on the company’s sole purpose – to create luxury homes in places that fit the life people want to lead in retirement.”

Commenting on his career at Blue Cedar Homes so far, Simon says: “My advice for anyone pursuing a career in a land and planning at Blue Cedar Homes would be to remember that perseverance really is key. Whilst the land and planning stage can be one of the most complex and challenging parts of the build, it’s always worth the huge buzz you feel when you finally achieve a scheme. This, and knowing that you’re making a small contribution to improving people’s lives, offers a great sense of fulfilment.”  

Simon is currently progressing a variety of potential sites across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and we look forward to sharing updates on new sites in the near future.

If you’re thinking about selling your land for property development, get in touch with Simon on Simon.Tofts@Bluecedarhomes.co.uk or by calling 07739 787999. Blue Cedar Homes are experts at developing schemes on sensitive sites in highly sought-after areas.  

As part of our new ‘A Focus On’ series, we would today like to shine a spotlight on a key member of our senior team – our Land Director, Simon Tofts. Our new ‘A Focus On’ series will introduce a member of our team, find out more about their role within Blue Cedar Homes, as well as touch upon their experience and any advice they have to share with future co-workers.  

In his role as Land Director, Simon oversees the entire land and planning process right up until the sale of the new homes, which includes identifying new land opportunities, planning and design of the scheme, overseeing the legal process, purchasing land, and getting sites ready for construction.

Well-practised in obtaining planning permission on sensitive sites in highly sought-after areas, Simon’s experience and expertise plays an instrumental part in helping us take the lead on providing low-density but high-quality, age-exclusive housing in some of the most beautiful and highly desirable locations.

Simon says: “Following several years of steady growth, and a near sell-out year for Blue Cedar Homes in 2021, we’re at an exciting point as we work on progressing planning and launching a series of new schemes in 2022.

“With an ambitious programme which aims to meet the rising demand for quality new homes for older people, it’s rewarding to be able to play a part in Blue Cedar Homes’ mission to deliver purpose-built housing which is so desperately needed both locally and nationally. Also, by developing these new age-exclusive homes we’re also contributing to a much bigger property picture – freeing up larger family homes and helping younger generations to move up the property ladder. 

“The truth of it is, building high-quality housing in some of the South West’s best locations is no easy task. Applying to build new dwellings in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historically protected sites and/or on land close to the sea can take a long time as there are a number of sensitivities attached to the land which must be dealt with.  

“For me, the best part comes when, and if, we do finally achieve planning consent to build our new homes. In completing what is an extremely meticulous and protracted process, we really can feel confident that our new schemes will be making a positive difference to the local community when we achieve consent. In fact, we’re often told that once our developments have been built, people feel like they’ve always been there because they align so well with the local surroundings. It’s why so much thought and attention to detail goes into designing our schemes, so that they really enhance and complement the environmental, sustainable, and historic aspects of the surrounding area.

“The thoughtful planning which goes into our schemes is also why, contrary to other larger new home developers, our schemes work for the local community, instead of against them. We’ve found that around 40% of Blue Cedar Homes purchasers live within a five-mile radius of the new development.”

Simon joined the team at Blue Cedar Homes in July 2013 and has swiftly advanced from Planning Manager, to Land and Planning Manager, to now Land Director in April 2020.

Our Managing Director, Nick Hole, says: “During his time with Blue Cedar Homes, Simon has finalised planning applications on some distinctly unique sites, such as our Tannery Gardens development in Bampton, Oxfordshire. There were numerous hurdles attached to this site that many other developers struggled to overcome, including a negative impact on the conservation area. Through our carefully designed layout, we were able to overcome these concerns. The delivery of specialist retirement housing was also seen as a key benefit. That’s why we’re so pleased to have Simon onboard to help lead on the company’s sole purpose – to create luxury homes in places that fit the life people want to lead in retirement.”

Commenting on his career at Blue Cedar Homes so far, Simon says: “My advice for anyone pursuing a career in a land and planning at Blue Cedar Homes would be to remember that perseverance really is key. Whilst the land and planning stage can be one of the most complex and challenging parts of the build, it’s always worth the huge buzz you feel when you finally achieve a scheme. This, and knowing that you’re making a small contribution to improving people’s lives, offers a great sense of fulfilment.”  

Simon is currently progressing a variety of potential sites across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and we look forward to sharing updates on new sites in the near future.

If you’re thinking about selling your land for property development, get in touch with Simon on Simon.Tofts@Bluecedarhomes.co.uk or by calling 07739 787999. Blue Cedar Homes are experts at developing schemes on sensitive sites in highly sought-after areas.