Wates Developments

At Wates Developments, sustainability isn't a side project, it's a fundamental cornerstone to delivering on our purpose for re-imagining places for people to thrive. Our Sustainability Strategy sets out ambitious goals for environmental stewardship, social value, and long-term resilience across both our residential and commercial developments. We’re focused on: 🌱 Creating biodiverse communities and workspaces through nature-led design 🏘 Reducing embodied carbon across our developments 🔄 Championing inclusive design and legacy through our placemaking 💡 Driving innovation through sustainable land partnerships 🌱 Delivering BREEAM Excellent commercial spaces From creating spaces for nature and people to come together to delivering fossil-fuel free homes and commercial spaces we're committed to making positive change — not just today, but for generations to come. “Earth Day is a chance for every one of us to take a moment to listen to bird song, feel the sun (or rain!) on our face, and remember how very lucky we are to live on this blue marble in the universe. Today, I am taking that moment to reflect on the journey Wates Developments has taken over the past couple of years, and to imagine what the future can hold if we all stay the course. Olivia Dear MIEMA and CEnv, Sustainability and Engagement Director This Earth Day, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made — and even more excited about what’s to come. Because at Wates Developments, we don’t just imagine a better world. We help build it. #EarthDay2025 #Sustainability #WatesDevelopments #SustainableDevelopment

We’re delighted to announce that Sharon Marwick has joined our team as Commercial Director – Joint Ventures. This newly created role reflects our commitment to enhancing commercial insight across our projects and partnerships. Sharon will work closely with our JV partners to provide strategic oversight on current and future developments, deliver critical market intelligence, build cost analysis, and provide commercial leadership. With over 25 years’ experience in the housebuilding industry - including senior roles at Crest Nicholson, Linden Homes and Taylor Wimpey -Sharon brings deep sector knowledge and a proven finance and commercial operations track record. 💬 “We’re thrilled to welcome Sharon to the team. Her insight and experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow our portfolio and deliver high-quality developments in collaboration with our JV partners.”  – Natalie Flint, Residential Investment Director Please do join us in giving her a very warm welcome to Wates. #WatesDevelopments #Land&Planning #JointVentures 

We're delighted to share the recent news that our land team successfully exchanged three strategic land sites in a single day, totalling over 210 acres and with the potential to deliver up to 1,000 new homes. This significant milestone reflects our commitment to sustainable growth, placemaking, and the delivery of much-needed new housing, including affordable homes and enhanced green spaces. A huge thank you to our agent network – Savills, Searls Land, and Kitchener Land and Planning – and our legal advisors at DAC Beachcroft LLP and Cripps, as well as our trusted team of consultants. Congratulations to Stephen Sedgley MRICS, Shiv Singh MRICS, Tom Stancombe, Georgie Fricker (nee Elliott) and the wider Wates Developments team on this achievement. If you have land opportunities or would like to discuss potential collaborations, we’d love to hear from you. 📩 Get in touch with our team today! For commercial sites: commercial.land@wates.co.uk For residential sites: land@wates.co.uk #StrategicLand #ResidentialDevelopment #SustainableCommunities #WatesDevelopments #LandPromotion

We’re delighted to announce that we have exchanged a Promotion Agreement on 32 acres of land within Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. The site builds upon our successful track record within the Local Authority with various consents over recent years at Basingstoke, Bramley, Oakley and Worting. A big thank-you to Ailsa Howles & Ed Keeling at Savills for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the landowner, and Ed Auger, Shiv Singh MRICS and everyone in the Wates Developments team whose hard work has helped bring the site to a successful exchange. Please do get in touch with our Land Director, Stephen Sedgley MRICS for any strategic land opportunities. #WatesDevelopments #StrategicLandDevelopment #Bramley #Placemaking #PlanningSuccess #LandPromotion 

This weekend Kevin McQuillan MRICS will be taking on the Paris Marathon in support of Cancer Research UK - and we couldn’t be prouder. Kevin is running to raise vital funds for a cause close to many of us, and Wates Developments is proud to match donations up to £750 as part of our commitment to giving back. 🎯 Fundraising is already going strong - but there’s still time to show your support 💜 Every pound raised helps accelerate life-saving research and bring hope to those affected by cancer. 📩 If you're able to, please consider donating here: https://lnkd.in/esXnDaXd  Bonne chance, Kevin, we’re all behind you! #WatesDevelopments #ParisMarathon #CancerResearchUK #TeamWates 

Last week, 40 colleagues from Wates Developments took part in a joint venture site tour, visiting two of our key development partnerships with Vistry Group.   The day began at Willow Park, Buckingham, our most recent JV with Vistry Northern Home Counties. Launched in January 2025 with a new show home, the development delivers 420 new homes – 273 private homes and 147 much-needed affordable homes.   Jason Rush, Craig Johnson, Mike Madahar, Sandra Washbrook, Victoria Southern, Debbie Clarke, and the Vistry sales team welcomed us on site. During the visit, our colleagues were able to tour the site and the show home, which has already received positive feedback from prospective buyers and received the seal of approval from our team. Rio Daniel, Senior Land and Planning Manager, whose work was instrumental in the Willow Park Development, commented, "It was really great to be back at Willow Park and see the site and our plans come together. Having acquired the site back in 2016, it has been a long journey to get to this stage, and it really is so good to see construction in progress, especially the sustainability features and community areas, which will bring such positive benefits to the local community and environment."    Later in the day, the group travelled to Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke, our joint venture development with Vistry Thames Valley. Launched off-plan in December 2020, it is now almost entirely sold, with just five homes remaining.   We were joined on-site by Nic James and James Berry and had the opportunity to walk the development and view recent progress, including a new primary school, now nearing completion and the continued delivery of a vibrant new community with 750 homes (including 40% affordable).    The day offered an excellent opportunity for colleagues across the business to connect with our partners and see first-hand the positive outcomes of strong joint venture partnerships.   We thank all at Vistry Northern Home Counties and Vistry Thames Valley for their time and warm hospitality.   #WatesDevelopments #JointVentures #Housebuilding #VistryGroup #WillowPark #HounsomeFields

From planning wins and sustainability in schools to team milestones and industry insights — our latest newsletter captures everything that made March another standout month at Wates Developments. Here’s a snapshot of what’s inside:  ✅ Planning approval for 91 sustainable homes in East Herts ✅ Inspiring young minds through our new schools partnership with Sussex Green Living ✅ Promoting biodiversity at Oakley Grange ✅ Welcoming Shiv Singh to a new leadership role ✅ Highlights from the LPDF Annual Lunch and LRG Midlands Charity Quiz ✅ One year on: insights from Operations Director Nick Laugharne Whether you’re a landowner, planner, local authority, or simply interested in sustainable development – don’t miss out on what’s shaping the future of UK housing. 🔗 Read the newsletter and subscribe below. #WatesDevelopments #PlanningSuccess #SustainableLiving #StrategicLand #LandPromotion 

Thank you to the Land, Planning and Development Federation for featuring two Wates Developments updates in their March 2025 roundup. This edition featured news about our submission for planning for 91 new homes in Puckeridge, and also featured news Shiv Singh's promotion to Acquisitions and Disposals Director. You can find out more about both of these stories in the newsletter below. #Land #Landdevelopments #watesdevelopments

We’re delighted to share that Rory Kemp MRICS has been promoted to Senior Land & Planning Manager here at Wates Developments. Rory joined us in September 2019 through our Graduate Programme and has since become a key player in our success—securing consents for sites including Leybourne, Crowborough, and Wivelsfield (via appeal) to name a few. In addition, Rory has also played an important role in shaping our team culture - serving on the Future Leaders Board and now mentoring others within the team. 💬 “It’s fantastic to see our people develop and thrive within the business. Rory’s promotion is thoroughly well deserved - his commitment, collaborative approach and track record of delivery has made a real difference to the team and very much helped support our 98% residential planning success rate.” – Meryl Baker, Strategic Portfolio Director Please join us in congratulating Rory on this exciting next step in his career! 👏 #WatesDevelopments #LandAndPlanning #Promotion

We're proud to be partnering with Sussex Green Living to deliver hands-on sustainability education to primary school children across the Horsham District – starting with Greenway Junior School. Through an inspiring school assembly and forest school workshop, pupils learned how small steps like composting and reducing food waste can make a big difference. These sessions are designed to build critical thinking and decision-making skills while encouraging fun, play-based learning. This initiative is part of a wider programme reaching 10 local schools, supported by a £5,000 donation from Wates Developments. It reflects our shared commitment to creating places where people and the planet thrive. 👏 A huge thank you to Sussex Green Living for bringing sustainability to life in such an engaging way. 🔗 Learn more about Sussex Green Living’s educational work: https://lnkd.in/eScxm-uU #WatesDevelopments #Sustainability #PeopleAndPlanet