Battle and Co Talking Property

Oxford North unpacked with Simon Ruck

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124825/fan_mail/new] After several years of planning and construction, the Oxford North development has rapidly become one of the most talked about and significant real estate developments in the UK. Oxford North’s masterplan will deliver million sq ft of new labs and workspace, surrounded by public parks and amenities, in the city of Oxford's flagship and best-connected innovation district.  Billed as an Innovation District rather than JASP (Just Another Science Park), Oxford North managing director Simon Ruck and his team are developing an impressive mixed-use development which includes 480 homes and three new public parks. The first phase is now open and will welcome its first occupiers in 2026. The podcast explores the backstory behind Simon's journey and the development masterplan led by Stanhope and Fletcher Priest Architects. Simon explains the project's future development and leasing plans as it begins welcoming new tenants and becomes part of the Oxford community.    The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'. Our coverage is now joined by our latest journal: Southern Snap, covering news in the Surrey and Sussex regions Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums. www.ukpropertyforums.com [http://www.ukpropertyforums.com/]

Green to the Core: Oliver Luard - Greencore Homes

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124825/fan_mail/new] Oliver Luard, partnerships & investment director for Greencore Homes joined us for the latest Battle & Bunce Talking property podcast with one change - Alan Bunce was replaced by my Oxfordshire colleague Hugh Blaza. Oliver has been involved with various roles throughout his land and planning career for a range of living based companies such as Vistry Homes and McCarthy Stone. Building on this experience, he joined the sustainable homes developer Greencore Homes last year to lead their move into Partnerships and alternative investments. Backed by the £5bn M&G Catalyst Fund, Greencore Homes is developing sustainable homes across the Golden Triangle region, with homes in various stage of completion located in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire with plans for more locations.  Oliver talked about the unique off-site design of the buildings which ensure quicker build times and higher quality levels. Using modular design, Greencore is developing healthier homes with low carbon design, built for the future and offering lower running costs for consumers. The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'. Our coverage is now joined by our latest journal: Southern Snap, covering news in the Surrey and Sussex regions Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums. www.ukpropertyforums.com [http://www.ukpropertyforums.com/]

Running up that Hill: Ryan Harris - The Hill Group

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124825/fan_mail/new] Ryan Harris, regional director for the Western division for The Hill Group joined us for the latest Battle & Bunce Talking Property podcast. Ryan, who has been 17 years with the housebuilder, described his route through education, where he (briefly) joined the academic world, before opting for more practical hands-on roles at building sites. He joined Lovell Partnerships and became an assistant site manager after undertaking a management training programme, then a site manager for Balfour Beatty before joining The Hill Group in 2008. Ryan discussed the planning hurdles, the market and the remarkable growth being planned for The Hill Group. The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'. Our coverage is now joined by our latest journal: Southern Snap, covering news in the Surrey and Sussex regions Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums. www.ukpropertyforums.com [http://www.ukpropertyforums.com/]

Affordable Housing Story: Ben Denton - L&G

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124825/fan_mail/new] Ben Denton is head of strategic growth for L&G with a focus on growing the affordable housing business - both in terms of scale and attracting investment.   He was previously managing director of L&G's affordable housing division, following a long senior career in the housing sector. L&G's Affordable Housing Fund, launched last year, has raised £510 million of funding and the business is on track to have delivered, or have in the pipeline, 10,000 homes by next year. Through its growing number of affordable housing developments in and around the Golden Triangle, L&G, and other affordable housing providers, are key enablers of regional growth.  He talked to us about the booming Oxford-Cambridge corridor and how that has to be balanced with the affordability crisis, such as in Oxfordshire where average house prices are around 10 times average earnings. The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'. Our coverage is now joined by our latest journal: Southern Snap, covering news in the Surrey and Sussex regions Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums. www.ukpropertyforums.com [http://www.ukpropertyforums.com/]

Heyford Park Unpacked: Paul Silver - Dorchester Living

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124825/fan_mail/new] Dorchester Living chief executive Paul Silver, the driving force behind the remarkable transformation of Upper Heyford Airfield, joined us for the latest Battle & Bunce Talking Property podcast. The former chartered accountant explains his route into the world of sustainable development and the remarkable transformation of the former Oxfordshire RAF base into Heyford Park, a scheme Paul has been closely involved with for more than 15 years. Paul says he is now focused on the next stage of Heyford Park and a visionary masterplan with more than 9,000 homes planned is due to be submitted imminently. Paul said: "I've always been drawn to the idea of creating lasting impact through the built environment and community building.  "While working in finance, I found myself gravitating toward the housebuilding and regeneration projects, helping to deliver major schemes across the UK.  "That experience gave me a deep understanding of what it takes to shape places, not just buildings, which ultimately led me to my work now at Dorchester Living." Paul also talks briefly about the wider range of projects within the Dorchster Living portfolio, including Price Philip Park in Hampshire.  The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'. Our coverage is now joined by our latest journal: Southern Snap, covering news in the Surrey and Sussex regions Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums. www.ukpropertyforums.com [http://www.ukpropertyforums.com/]