Plympton Pathfields, The Latest News

11. March 2001 - Beazer Homes bought out by housebuilders Persimmon plc

Persimmon Plc, one of the UK's largest housebuilders has bought up Beazer Homes, developers of the Plympton Pathfields site,  in a £540 million deal.  Coming close on the heels of another recent merger between rival builders Taylor Woodrow and Bryant, Persimmon Plc now has a massive stake in the 'land bank' of house building projects with a stock of  58,000 building plots in the UK.   Reports in the national press warn that many of Beazers current 1000 employees would probably go as a result of the merger with the closure of several of their regional offices. 

Already new signs and Persimmon logos have appeared on the Pathfields 'Redvers Grove' building site as all trace of the company name of 'Beazer' has been quickly removed.  Sources in the former company predict the closure of the regional Beazer Homes headquarters at Cossington in Bridgewater, Somerset and say a smaller Persimmon office already established at Exeter could take over.  Some reassurances have been given that it would be unlikely at this late stage to alter the 'Redvers Grove' scheme and Persimmons appear to have built a reputation on quality and good value.

One of Persimmons successful selling techniques is to offer 'extras' and 'upgrades' to house purchasers and by offering discount deals on goods bought from selected building suppliers.  In their publicity literature they boast, "THE PERSIMMON COMMITMENT - Quite simply Persimmon cares; it cares about the quality of homes provided; about its customers; about its responsibilities as an employer; about genuine partnerships with the variety of organisations involved in providing new homes; and about the environment".

Although it is still unclear if local staff changes will affect the Pathfields development, the Pathfields Preservation Group are already seeking early contact with the new company, at local and national level.  We want to know how the take-over may affect the progress of the development and what regard the company gives to community consultation.  The Pathfields Group and Beazer Homes had begun a positive dialogue on a number of issues and we want this to continue.   We also want to see how Persimmon Plc will put their commitment to care for the environment into practice.

Sources within the merged company predict a major push to complete the Pathfields site by November 2001 instead of Beazers previously forecast finish date of April 2002.  While we welcome an early end to building works, the Pathfields Group want to make certain that the rush to complete early will not compromise commitments to fulfil important environmental and landscaping details.

"There are still some visual and environmental aspects to the development that remained under discussion with Beazer Homes, such as protecting the bridge on Dark Street Lane, cladding the concrete water culverts in natural stone, reinstating the former course of the Long Brook as an open and natural feature, road and pedestrian safety, street lighting and protecting trees and replanting and we are anxious that they are satisfactorily progressed.  Persimmons advertise their commitment to the community and to the environment and we want to give them every opportunity to prove themselves on this sensitive and controversial site."

If you would like to take a closer look at the company, visit their web site at http://www.persimmon.plc.uk/    ...... according to the company's corporate profile, the name 'Persimmon' was the name of a racehorse that won the 1896 Derby and the Oaks for Edward VII, Prince of Wales.

next news item