Specific need
Buckinghamshire & East Berkshire Mind is seeking property development advice for Sun House
Location
South East
Organisation
Buckinghamshire & East Berkshire Mind
Reference No.
26 724
What do they need help with?
Buckinghamshire & East Berkshire Mind owns Sun House, a small property in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, which is currently underused by the charity. Trustees are keen to release value from the site, either through a letting or sale, so that funds can be reinvested into frontline mental health services across Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire.
Sun House is made up of two separate rectangular structures joined by an enclosed pedestrian walkway. The front building is a prefabricated single-storey structure, while the rear building is a domestic-style single-storey structure with masonry external walls and a pitched tiled roof. Both main structures are believed to date from the 1930s. There is also a modest open-plan garden area immediately to the east of the buildings. The total space is approximately 1,229 sq ft.
The charity’s trustees recently commissioned an independent valuation, which suggested a potential sale value of around £600,000 or an expected letting value of £20,000 to £25,000 per year. However, following conversations with local commercial property estate agents, the trustees are concerned that the suggested sale value may be unrealistic.
One option being considered is working with property developers to secure planning permission for the site, with the aim of increasing its value before any future sale or development route is agreed. The charity does not have in-house property development expertise and is seeking pro bono support to understand whether this approach is viable.
Buckinghamshire & East Berkshire Mind is looking for advice on the risks and rewards of pursuing planning permission, how to manage the process, and how to secure maximum value from the site. This support would help trustees make informed decisions about a valuable charity asset and ensure that any future action strengthens the charity’s ability to deliver mental health support where it is needed most.
Timeline
As soon as possible
About the organisation
Buckinghamshire & East Berkshire Mind, known as Bucks Mind, is an independent mental health charity working across Buckinghamshire and East Berkshire. The charity delivers services in local communities to promote wellbeing and recovery, prevent mental ill-health, offer talking therapies and provide support in times of crisis.
Its aim is to help create a mentally healthy society. Through information, services and campaigns, Bucks Mind works to tackle stigma, barriers and isolation, so that people can access mental health support when they need it.
The charity has been supporting local communities for more than 110 years. It is affiliated with national Mind and works to Mind’s quality standards for governance and service delivery. Bucks Mind is part of a wider network of local Minds delivering trusted mental health services across the country.
The charity also has established links with local voluntary sector organisations working to end youth homelessness and has worked in partnership to support young people experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges.