Stanmoreland-swap is a walk in the park

THEGREENFlagAwards for high environmental standards went to 28 of London’s open spaces i n August. Current holders of a Green Flag award include Mill Hill and East Finchley cemeteries, Canons Park, Harrow Recreation Ground and Pinner Memorial Park. Any green space is a boon for a property developer but planning restrictions usually put paid to a developer’s chances of building on or near one. The exception is Stanmore Country Park.

Three years ago, Stanmore property consultant Preston Bennett announced the culmination of years of what it described as “complex and protracted negotiations”. It brokered a land swap that benefited Harrow Council, local residents and luxury developer Jaysam Group. Under the deal, Stanmore Country Park — the nature reserve north of central Stanmore — was enlarged by adding Wood Farm, 69 acres of green belt, previously owned by Stanmore Dairies.

Jaysam purchased part of the land, off Wood Lane, Stanmore and has now built 10 detached homes behind gates there, at The Cloisters. An existing approved planning application included both the extension to Stanmore Country Park and the residential development. Harrow Council had retained the freehold to the land and Stanmore Dairies held two leases — hence the swap.

Preston Bennett’s involvement with the site went back years to when it sold Wood Farm to former Commonwealth heavyweight boxing champion Joe Bygraves, who died in 2013. As part of the negotiations, Preston Bennett’s planners worked with architect Kenneth Reid and Partners, as well as land-use consultants on a master plan for the park extension and 3.5-acre residential development.

Harrow Council took back the Stanmore Dairies leases and, in return, raised £3.5 million for the freehold for the development, plus more cash for the works on the Country Park extension, as well as its future management and maintenance.

The Cloisters is now ready to occupy, at prices from £1,995,000.

Green space is a boon but can rarely be developed