Decision

To appoint Connells Group, operating through the Allen & Harris brand, to provide advertising and marketing services for four unoccupied shared ownership homes in
Chippenham

Reasons for the decision

The Residential Development Team have four remaining shared ownership homes available at the Rowden Park/Lackham Place development in Chippenham. The homes have been promoted through the Council’s existing channels, including the Wiltshire Council shared ownership webpage, Homes4Wiltshire, social media, newsletters and direct contact with prospective purchasers. Despite this activity, sales have remained slow.

The Council’s Shared Ownership First Come First Served Policy provides that, where the marketing process has been exhausted and no qualifying prospective purchaser has been identified within three months, an estate agent may be engaged to market homes more widely through its branch, website and property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla.

The Defects Liability Period for three of the homes is due to end on 21 November 2026. Prolonged vacancies after this date increase the Council’s exposure to maintenance, security and winterrelated risks. Enhanced marketing is therefore proposed for the autumn and winter period to increase visibility and support timely sales.

Connells Group / Allen & Harris have proposed a comprehensive package (email attached) intended to increase the reach and quality of the property advertising. The service includes:

• Listings on Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket and the Allen & Harris website, including premium or featured placement where available.
• Professional photography, walk-through video, floorplans and a 360-degree Matterport virtual tour.
• A monthly social media campaign and promotion to the existing customer database across local branches.
• Management of the property listings and forwarding of all enquiries directly to Wiltshire Council.
• Weekly or monthly marketing feedback reports.

Wiltshire Council will retain responsibility for all enquiries, eligibility checks, financial assessments, viewings, allocation decisions, and sales progression. Homes will continue to be allocated under the Council's 'first come first served policy'.

See attached document for properties and marketing history, and cost and budget.

See the attached document for considerations in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution.

Alternative options considered

Continue using only existing Council marketing channels. This option was not preferred because these homes have already been promoted through those channels for an extended period without securing sales for all remaining properties.

Do not undertake further advertising. This option was not preferred because prolonged vacancies increase maintenance, security and winter-related risks and may create additional Council liabilities after the Defects Liability Period ends.