Regional housebuilder Denbury Homes has completed the purchase of land in Buntingford for a development that will deliver 58 new homes and over £1.6 million in community contributions. Denbury Homes has a 5* rating from the Home Builders Federation and the development will be the company’s first in Hertfordshire.
Outline planning permission for the site, which lies to the north-west of Buntingford, off Neale Drive and Phillips Way, was approved by East Hertfordshire Council subject to a Section 106 agreement and conditions.
The homes will include one- to four-bedroom houses in a range of styles including detached, semi-detached and terraced. Plans include six two-bedroom bungalows and 40% of the homes will be classed as affordable with some offered as affordable rent and others as shared ownership.
Samuel Courtley, Head of Land of Denbury Homes, said: “We are very excited to have completed the acquisition of this fantastic site in Buntingford. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality homes in locations that offer a blend of heritage and modern appeal, and this purchase is a testament to our ambitious growth plans as we expand into Hertfordshire for the first time.”
The market town of Buntingford is positioned on the historic Ermine Street, the Roman road that once connected London to York. For centuries, it served as a vital staging post on the Old North Road, even playing host to Queen Elizabeth I, who famously stayed at the local Bell House. Buntingford remains a quintessential market town, home to various independent shops, restaurants and pubs in its picturesque setting along the River Rib.
As part of the planning agreement, Denbury Homes will pay around £1.6 million under a Section 106 agreement. This money will go towards local schools and NHS services and includes around £210k for sports and open space provision (including allotments, bowls, tennis, swimming pool and gym facilities), £200k to improve sustainable and community transport provision and more than £70k for community spaces, libraries and youth provision.
In line with Denbury Homes’ other developments, the homes in Buntingford are expected to achieve highly efficient energy performance ratings confirming them as easier and cheaper to heat than comparable older properties. A range of resource efficiency measures including water conservation, air source heat pumps, and superior insulation will help them achieve a significant reduction in CO2 emissions against comparable older properties. The development will also offer several features such as integrated bat and swift boxes, house sparrow terraces and hedgehog holes in garden fences to protect and enhance biodiversity.
Denbury Homes has been building in East Anglia for 40 years (including under previous name Hopkins & Moore). Awarded 5* status by the Home Builders Federation, the company is known for well-designed homes of excellent build quality which are in some of the region’s most sought-after towns and villages.
Sam continued: “We pride ourselves on taking inspiration from local design styles to build homes that quickly blend into the existing towns and villages and ensuring that communities benefit from the new homes.”
As well as the Section 106 payments Denbury Homes supports local charities, groups and initiatives that help vulnerable groups. So far, its charitable fund has given out over £1.6 million in grants, donations and other financial assistance as well has lending a practical hand through volunteering. With the land purchase complete, Denbury Homes is now progressing with the detailed planning application and hopes to start on site in late 2026 with homes available for purchase from Autumn 2027.
