PE-backed housebuilder plots £20m Peak District scheme

Honey – the private equity-backed housebuilding venture established by former Avant Homes CEO Mark Mitchell – has submitted plans for a £20.35m resi development on 10.5 acres of land in Matlock.

The company has also exchanged contracts on the site, where it hopes to build 75 new homes.

The proposed development will be located opposite Matlock Golf Club on Chesterfield Road. Honey acquired the land from Richborough Estates for an undisclosed sum.

Subject to planning, the scheme will comprise a mix of one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes including maisonettes, terraces, semi-detached and detached properties. Work is anticipated to start in December if planning chiefs give the thumbs up.

It will be called Hazel.

Honey will also make a £670,000 contribution to local community initiatives as part of the scheme, which is the company’s second in Derbyshire.

Mitchell said: “It’s fantastic to have submitted planning for our Hazel development, which will deliver new homes that combine style, substance and sustainability for the benefit discerning buyers.

“There is strong demand for high quality, high specification new homes in Matlock and we now look forward to Derbyshire Dales District Council considering our plans for the site.”

Briony Stenhouse, land and planning manager at Richborough Estates, added: “We’re thrilled to have secured this land sale to Honey, delivering a great result for our landowners and supporting the growth of a new housebuilder.

“Subject to planning, we look forward to Honey starting work on this attractive development of high-quality new homes that meet the needs of the local area.”