Status Of Land In Gerrards Cross

The request was successful.

Dear South Bucks District Council,

A Land Banking company called Jardin Smith in Singapore is offering land in small plots for sale. The land offered is on

North East side of Oxford Road,
Gerrards Cross,
Buckinghamshire, SL9 8DT.

The UK land registry have advised the following:-
- The area of land is registered
- It would appear that small areas are being sold off to individuals in Singapore.
- Some registrations of this nature are completed
- It would appear at the moment that this land is fields,
- It would appear to be sold as owning a small part of England.

Having spent some time and money of this it has not been possible to confirm the owner or registration details of the larger area of land land due to the number of smaller plots being cut from it making a search prohibitively time consuming and expensive for an individual.

The UK registration information states this land is being sold for "souvenirs of England". In fact it is clearly being sold as an investment with customers being advised that re-zoning will be applied for in 3 years and that this land is ideal for building on due to its close proximity to major roads, Heathrow and London.

As referenced here based on a sales pitch
http://www.lioninvestor.com/investing-in...

"the owner is unable to develop the land due to financial constraint and therefore JSI has come forward and purchased the land from the owner. From there on they will apply for re-zone through a third party whom they have engaged for all their earlier Land investment projects. Minimum waiting period of 3 years before they can apply for re-zone"

Can South Bucks confirm the current planning status of this land ? For example is it greenbelt land ?

Are any current local or national plans that would allow this land to be considered or presented as building land in the foreseeable future (less than 10 years)?

Can South Bucks make a clear statement on the status of this land to avoid random details being presented as facts in Asia ?

Steve F left an annotation ()

This request has additional information on this subject but was posted under an incorrect local authority.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ja...

Joe Piper left an annotation ()

The Gerrards Cross land in question lies within the Green Belt where there is a presumption against new development according to South Bucks local authority.

South Bucks Local Authority have clearly stated their policy on this land here
http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment...

In summary quoted below

".....the Council can meet its development requirements at least to 2026 without the need for the release of any land from the Green Belt for development.

If the plot of land you are interested in is currently in the Green Belt it is very likely to remain as Green Belt – in which case the strongest policies of restraint upon development will still apply.

Please give serious consideration to the above points before purchasing any plots advertised as an investment opportunity. It is likely that they are not."

Zoe Bloomfield,

FAO Steve F

What Do They Know

 

Dear Sir

 

In response to your request under the provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) 2000, I would like to inform you that requests for
environmental information will be exempted from being dealt with under the
FOIA (Section 39).  The effect of this exemption is to ensure that a
request for Environmental Information is dealt with in accordance with the
Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) 2004.

 

The Council is aware this land is being offered for sale in small parcels.
We do not have current/full ownership details but these could possibly be
obtained from the Land Registry which you appear to be already aware. They
can be contacted at: [1]http://www.landreg.gov.uk/

 

The entire plot falls within the Metropolitan Green Belt and the policies
that apply may be accessed via the following link

 

 [2]http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/south_bucks/t...

 

Also that the Council has no proposals to release this land from the Green
Belt to meet future development needs. The Core Strategy and its evidence
base demonstrates that the Council can meet its development requirements
at least to 2026 without the need for the release of any land from the
Green Belt for development.
 [3]http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment...

 

 

In addition information relating to purchasing land in the district may be
accessed via the South Bucks District Council Website

 

[4]http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment...

 

 

 

I hope this answers your questions but if you feel that it does not, you
can contact me with your queries.  You also have the right to request an
internal review of your request and ultimately to complain to the
Information Commissioner should you still be unhappy with the outcome. 
You should direct any queries or complaints to me before progressing any
complaint to the Information Commissioner.  If you would like more
information about the role and work of the Information Commissioner go to
their website [5]www.ico.gov.uk. 

 

 

Yours faithfully

 

Zoë Bloomfield

Corporate Information Officer

Legal Services

South Bucks District Council

Capswood

Oxford Road

Denham

Bucks UB9 4LH

 

 

 

 

Save resources and reduce waste - do you really need to print this email?
Visit our website: [6]http://www.southbucks.gov.uk
***** South Bucks District Council E-mail Disclaimer*****
You should be aware that all e-mails received and sent by this Council may be
subject to recording and/or monitoring to meet relevant legislative
requirements.  They are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and
therefore may be disclosed to a third party. This email and any files
transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the
individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended
recipient, the use of the information by disclosure, copying or distribution is
prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this email in error please
notify the system administrator at [7][email address] . This
footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence
of computer viruses.
*****End of Disclaimer*****

References

Visible links
1. http://www.landreg.gov.uk/
2. http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/south_bucks/t...
3. http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment...
4. http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment...
5. http://www.ico.gov.uk/
6. http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/
7. mailto:[email address]

Francis Irving left an annotation ()

Blog post about Gerrards Cross land being sold in Singapore and Malaysia, referring to this request as important information for purchasers.

http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2010/09/l...

rachel w.s. left an annotation ()

i would like to thank the south bucks council and steve f for such great information provided.

i was invited to jardin smith international talk about few weeks ago. their investment on the land in gerrards cross really attracted me to invest as the land is very strategic. However, i needed to do more research on this before i commit my money into it.
thanks to this letter, i have confidence in this company as i believe that the land that these professionals bought will give me a fair share of returns.

This site provide good information
http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/south_bucks./...

Worth a diversification guys. A great opportunity but in the end its all down to you guys to decide.

Pierre B left an annotation ()

Hello Rachel,

I have no idea how you could reach a conclusion that this is a good or even diversified investment unless you work for Jardin Smith.

South Bucks stated that they have a clear plan until at least 2026 without looking at the Green Belt. That does not mean they will suddenly develop all the green belt in 2026 only that they may need to review then.

I may quote from the official South Bucks website not the broken link out of date link you have proposed.

http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/environment...
------------
"The Core Strategy and its evidence base demonstrate that the Council can meet its development requirements at least to 2026 without the need for the release of any land from the Green Belt for development.
If the plot of land you are interested in is currently in the Green Belt it is very likely to remain as Green Belt – in which case the strongest policies of restraint upon development will still apply.
Please give serious consideration to the above points before purchasing any {green belt} plots advertised as an investment opportunity. It is likely that they are not."
-------------

I have checked on the value of green belt land that cannot be developed close to London based on recent transactions. The value is less than 5% of the prices currently being charged in Asia by certain agents.

Not. Law left an annotation ()

Well, enough said! Invest Land in the Canada or the USA instead. I chose Walton!
It just makes perfect sense, land being cheap and there is so much of land to grab in Canada compared to the UK.
Just look at the statistics below and you'll understand why.
With Jardin Smith, you'll be buying land in a country way too congested. The density per sq km is 652 in UK.
In Canada, the density per sq km is only 3!
I leave it to you to make the right choice. The best investors always go back to basics, which is demand and supply!
Once you do that, you will always be able to make a better decision!

UNITED KINGDOM
Land area: 93,278 sq mi (241,590 sq km); total area: 94,526 sq mi (244,820 sq km)
Population (2010 est.): 61,284,806 (growth rate: 0.2%); birth rate: 10.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 4.7/1000; life expectancy: 79.1; density per sq km: 652
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): London, 7,615,000 (metro. area), 7,429,200 (city proper)

Read more: United Kingdom: History, Geography, Government, and Culture — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108078.h...

CANADA
Land area: 3,511,003 sq mi (9,093,507 sq km); total area: 3,855,102 sq mi (9,984,670 sq km)
Population (2009 est.): 33,759,742 (growth rate: 0.8%); birth rate: 10.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 4.9/1000; life expectancy: 81.3; density per sq km: 3
Capital (2004 est.): Ottawa, Ontario, 1,142,700 (metro. area)

Read more: Canada: History, Geography, Government, and Culture — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107386.h...

Brian Young left an annotation ()

Looks like if an investor take the risk, it may be well after 2026 b4 he can actually see a return on the land near Gerrard Cross marketed under Jardine S Int'l. That means about 16-17 years. Didn't the contract mentioned that by the 20th year, they will have to exit? And if no development still, the investment may be worth little. But if there is development planning approved, it could mean something?

Brian Young left an annotation ()

I went to see JSI yesterday to hear more what know about the Gerrards Cross land which was not disclosed to me at the presentation 10 days ago. They showed me a report from the South Bucks district Council which did identify Gerrards Cross land with development potential. I enquired about South Bucks statement that stated that the council is unlikely to release any greenbelt land for development until after 2026. JSI said that potential investors have been advised accordingly of the risk and have to decide themselves. Since I was not comfortable with this and also that the tax law may change eventually on capital gains tax in UK, I decided to withdraw from the scheme and seek a refund. They were quite professional about it and asked me to complete a form for the refund. So its up to each investors to consider the risk.

Pierre B left an annotation ()

Aly

There is a what do they know request for the Jardin Smith Romford Land Banking site here:-

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ja...

You may also wish to see this news link here:-
http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/ha...

Best regards

hansgruber left an annotation ()

The owner of this land is Simon Cook, Uk born living in Singapore, Still has business intrests & a home in Kingston Upon Hull uk,Seems to make the monies out of selling parcels of green belt land & promising great returns by getting planning permission but highley unlikley? Re investing this money in uk buying rental properties, bars resteraunts mainly in Kingston Upon Hull,Surrounds himself with cronies from Kingston Upon Hull & always seems to have front men covering his identity? How do i know all this? I worked with him in Tenerife selling timeshares for then property owner john Palmer. If you look hard enough you will find that he still deals in timeshares holiday management appartments ect all of which seem to have people unhappy with whats happening with their investments. Want to know more ??? Ask.

cheese left an annotation ()

I would like to thank steve f effort to provided such great information .

Dear Steve F,

I bought plot parcel in Fontley house farm Titchfield,fareham,hampshire from Jardin Smith International since aug 2008,no update till now.Wonder anyone paid for this land parcel? after read through this website,i am not aware,worry and little idea where to find out if the land parcel i paid for was designated as green belt zone.I maybe in the different topic but would like to seek some advice from the professional investor here,Thank you in advance for anyone who can help.

Cheers

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

A number of annotations have been removed from this thread after solicitors acting for a company named in this thread wrote to us claiming some of the material posted was defamatory.

Our service is only for making FOI requests; any discussion about material released ought take place elsewhere.

South Bucks District Council have a webpage offering advice to those thinking of buying a plot of green belt land in the area:

http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/article/388...

--

Richard - WhatDoTheyKnow.com volunteer