Octagon’s Planning Manager – Liz Alexander

Octagon have brought planning in-house with the appointment of Planning Manager, Liz Alexander. A new role for the company, Liz  joined Octagon from Bell Cornwell, having worked in the industry for 25 years.

“The planning system is complex,” comments Liz, “Having someone available in-house to advise on the potential of sites at such an early stage is so beneficial. Time is our most valuable commodity, and the Land Directors being able to promptly discuss potential for both our company and our clients in a new site is a huge asset”.

With a master’s degree in Town Planning, Liz is both a chartered Town Planner and Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and able to provide expert advice on any site The Octagon Group are potentially interested in to ensure the best possible result.

“Octagon have seen a huge amount of growth in the last few years across all areas of the business, despite the pandemic, and are always looking for new sites of all sizes, so with me in post, it enables us to move quickly on opportunities.”

Together with the Land Directors, Liz has been assessing several sites already identified for future developments across Greater London and the Home Counties, including plots for one-off spectacular homes and larger multiple unit sites, with a particular focus on a design-led approach for strategic sites.

“If we decide to proceed with a site, I then lead and advise on planning applications and strategy, liaise with the councils and go to committee if necessary. Since I joined, I have advised and supported the land team with numerous potential sites, across Chancery Homes, Octagon Developments and Octagon Bespoke projects – and I have been extremely involved with Broadoaks Park.

Such a large development with so many phases and components, including listed buildings, requires regular updates of the plans – things can crop up at any stage of development – a heritage site is a completely different entity and challenge to that of a greenfield or brownfield site. The approach to the design needs to ensure we are conserving and enhancing the heritage asset to protect it for the future.”

Plans for Broadoaks Mansion, the piece de resistance of this flagship site, have just been finalised – with the listed building, originally designed by Ernest Seth Smith, now set to be redeveloped into two incredible spacious homes.

“Every day is different, I’m working across all the divisions, which has afforded me the opportunity to cultivate relationships with the whole company. Some days I am working on a specific site, other days I am working to try and get one of our earmarked sites allocated on the ten year plan of a local authority which ensures we don’t run out of development opportunities. I guess it could be described as a form of future proofing – and really helps the medium- and long-term plan for The Octagon Group”.

Most recently, Liz has supported in the acquisition of Octagon’s latest site in Surrey, the Hampton Court Estate, a highly desirable 1.59-acre brownfield site set to be redeveloped by Chancery Homes, Octagon’s upper mid-market brand. The purchase of Hampton Court Estate marks a significant commitment by Octagon to the continued growth of Chancery Homes, which was established in 2020 with a vision of extending and diversifying their offering to meet industry demand for more high quality, accessibly priced housing.

“Moving in-house has meant that I now get to see projects through – whereas previously I only ever saw the very initial stages of a project, it’s really thrilling to see a proposal come to life – and that’s one of the bits I love most about my job.”