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UK: A consented scheme of 326 BTR units in Basingstoke, Hampshire, is back before councillors this week to seek a time limit on how long the scheme must remain as build-to-rent (BTR).
Proposals by Packaged Living and Buccleuch Property (Basingstoke) to demolish the 1970s View Point office building in Basing View and replace it with the BTR scheme, were approved by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council’s development management committee in May 2025.
But a clause in the scheme’s s106 agreement means it has to remain BTR in perpetuity, a point which Packaged Living says could put the scheme’s funding at risk.
It is seeking a 10-year BTR period, after which the apartments can be sold on the open market. Councillors have been recommended to approve the change at the committee’s February 25 meeting, provided the s106 is completed within six months.
If any were sold before the 10-year period, a penalty would be incurred through a claw-back mechanism.
In a letter to the council, Packaged Living chief operating officer, Mark Woodrow said: “BTR restrictions are well rehearsed across the UK, especially in areas which have seen greater additionality in delivery of homes through successful build-to-rent schemes, such as London, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Reading, among others. Firstly, the restriction needs to be time limited, timescales ranging from five to 15 years across various different local authorities. Secondly, the restriction should preserve the ability to sell homes, in the normal way a housebuilder would, with a clawback mechanism in place to ensure any additional value of this is captured by the local authority as further public benefit of the scheme. This is usually in the form of an additional cash contribution towards off site affordable housing.”
Highlights:
- A consented scheme of 326 BTR units in Basingstoke, Hampshire, is back before councillors this week to seek a time limit on how long the scheme must remain as build-to-rent (BTR).
- Proposals by Packaged Living and Buccleuch Property (Basingstoke) to demolish the 1970s View Point office building in Basing View and replace it with the BTR scheme, were approved by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council’s development management committee in May 2025.
- A clause in the scheme’s s106 agreement means it has to remain BTR in perpetuity
- Packaged Living says this could put the scheme’s funding at risk and is seeking a 10-year BTR period, after which is could sell the homes on the open market
- Councillors have been recommended to approve the change at the committee’s February 25 meeting
