With the site purchased and 'in principle' planning permission obtained, YDP chose to work with George Laurel & Partners (GLP) on the design phase. Paul Ashley had worked with GLP’s Managing Director, Dan Hardingham, on a previous project and the partnership had proved mutually beneficial. GLP also saw the potential of the project and elected to exchange their normal fees for a profit share.
YDP has a preference for using local trades and services where possible, and invited two local firms of architects to submit designs for attractive, eco-friendly and modern detached houses.
One of these submissions - an adventurous design by Ely Planning - was a clear winner in terms of appearance, build quality, construction costs and energy efficiency. It was also the design preferred by the local planning department.
YDP and GLP then presented the design, together with their ideas for the whole project, to Willingham Parish Council members and their reaction was extremely favourable. They thought the new houses would provide a pleasing contrast to the more conventional housing around the site and the village as a whole
With the Parish Council on board, and the local planning department ready to give full consent subject to a few small modifications, the whole project was set to be 'green lit' and for the construction phase to be started. It was now November 2013.
It was at this point that a major problem suddenly emerged...