With the introduction of John Prescott's target to develop 1.44 million homes in the South East by 2016 and a new policy guideline (PPG3), the pressure is really on the developers to meet these targets.

The PPG3 guideline states that each new development must comprise more than 12 homes per acre, an increase from the current PPG3 of 9 homes per acre.  The policy has raised concern amongst home buyers who believe such a policy will result in developers building box-like units and existing residents who are not happy with the density, thus putting added pressure on developers.  However, CALA Homes has demonstrated that luxury and space do not have to be compromised in order to meet the policy criteria at its new development, CALA DOMUS in Harlow.

The CALA development is the third phase of the renowned Newhall project, which recently received a 'Building for Life Gold Award' from the Deputy Prime Minister after he visited the development.   The Scottish-owned luxury developer, CALA Homes (South) Ltd was the third developer to be selected by Newhall Projects Ltd and its Master Planners, Roger Evans Associates, to create new homes at Newhall.  CALA Homes was chosen because of its reputation for building distinctive, high quality homes and its commitment to Newhall's master plan which seeks to create a neighbourhood, not just a collection of faceless dwellings.

CALA DOMUS is designed to bring urban living to suburbia and will consist of 74 city-style dwellings, comprising an imaginative mix of apartments, maisonettes, linked and detached houses, as well as duplex and triplex flats situated in a magnificent Copper Tower - the Sun Mill.

"While it is vital to increase the level of new homes available in this country to meet government targets, it is essential to put the living environment first in order to sustain local communities.  Our vision is to make contemporary but highly functional accommodation blend in with local environment, not the reverse.  Newhall gives us a unique opportunity to implement one of our most ambitious schemes ever," commented Philip Brown, Sales & Marketing Director of CALA Homes (South).

More€¦The vision for CALA DOMUS is a complete reversal of the sterile environment increasingly associated with new developments. As Newhall evolves it will eventually have many shared spaces such as squares, greens, ponds and parks. It will also have amenities including a doctor's surgery, shops, eateries and a community hall.  All of these facilities will enhance the sense of community, which is supported by the CALA DOMUS design. 
The Newhall development is certainly laying down the gauntlet to other developers by demonstrating that the new PPG3 is achievable with careful planning, high quality and original architecture that utilises space imaginatively.