Freeths secures planning permission for new state-of-the-art Care Home, Centre of Excellence and Headquarters Office on behalf of Hallmark Care Homes

National law firm Freeths has secured the grant of planning permission for award-winning care home operator Hallmark Care Homes in Ingatestone, Essex, following a lengthy process which included the removal of the site from the Green Belt and its allocation for employment generating uses.

Freeths advised Hallmark Care Homes on the promotion of the site through the review of the Brentwood Local Plan and the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan, the preparation and submission of a planning application, negotiations with consultees such as the County Council (including demonstrating that expensive highways improvements to the A12 were not required) and concluding a legal agreement with regard to health care contributions, traffic regulation order requirements and travel plan monitoring.

Freeths’ National Head of Planning and Environment Paul Brailsford led the team advising on both the local plan promotion, planning application and associated legal agreements. He was supported by Senior Associates Liz Young, Beth Evans and Stephanie Gozney.

Paul Brailsford commented: “This has been a real team effort with Freeths working closely with Karen Green and Martin Casey at Hallmark, John Bell at ADG Architects and Harry Flexman at Connect Consultants, amongst others, to secure planning permission for this landmark development on a former Green Belt site. An excellent result!”.