Proposed Acquisition of the Issued Share Capita...
13 October 2011
TRAFALGAR NEW HOMES PLC ("Trafalgar" or the "Company")
Proposed Acquisition of the Issued Share Capital of Combe Bank Homes Ltd ("Combe Bank") (the
"Acquisition")
Introduction
The Directors of Trafalgar (the "Directors") are pleased to announce that the Company has entered into
a conditional agreement with Christopher Johnson and Alexander Johnson (the "Vendors" or the "Proposed
Directors") to acquire the entire issued share capital of Combe Bank for a consideration of
approximately £2,250,000 to be satisfied through the issue to the Vendors of 186,817,671 new ordinary
shares in Trafalgar representing approximately 87 per cent of the issued share capital after issue.
Completion of the Acquisition will constitute a "reverse takeover" under the PLUS Rules for Issuers
and is conditional, inter alia, on approval of the Company's shareholders. A circular (the
"Circular"), which constitutes a PLUS Admission Document, is today being posted to shareholders of
Trafalgar. The Circular gives full details of the Acquisition and contains a Notice convening a
General Meeting for 8 November 2011 at which resolutions will be proposed, inter alia, to approve the
Acquisition. It is expected that completion of the Acquisition ("Completion") will occur as soon as
practicable following passing of the resolutions. Re-Admission will be conditional, inter alia, on the
completion of the administration process.
Shareholders owning approximately 61.5 per cent of the existing issued share capital of the Company
have entered into voting commitments to vote or procure votes in favour of the Acquisition. These
shareholders include Mr Andrew Moore, the Non-Executive Chairman of Trafalgar and Mr Robert
McKendrick, a non-executive director.
Background to the Acquisition
Trafalgar has been a small house builder which encountered financial difficulties, principally in
relation to its development at Mitcham, Surrey. On 7 July 2010 Trafalgar announced that dealings in
its ordinary shares on PLUS-quoted had been suspended at the request of the Board pending
clarification of the Company's financial position. On 12 July 2010 the Company announced that it had
filed a notice to appoint Administrators at Court. On 16 November 2010 the Company announced the
convening of a Creditors' and General Meeting of the Company for the consideration of proposals by the
administrator for a Company Voluntary Arrangement ("CVA") of the Company and on 30 November 2010
Trafalgar announced that at the Creditors' meeting and the general meeting held that day all
resolutions were passed and that, as such, the CVA had been approved. On 8 August 2011 under the terms
of the CVA, 10,000,000 ordinary shares were allotted to creditors in satisfaction of outstanding
debts, and 2,000,000 ordinary shares were allotted to Central Corporate Finance, a limited liability
partnership controlled by Andrew Moore, in relation to work performed on of the Company Voluntary
Arrangement. On 13 September 2011 Trafalgar announced that the Company was no longer in
administration.
The Directors regard the Acquisition of Combe Bank, with its established development portfolio and
banking and other financial arrangements to be a logical step in taking the enlarged group forward.
Combe Bank
Combe Bank was incorporated on 20 November 2006 to undertake residential development in both new
build, conversions and refurbishment. The founders, Christopher and Alexander Johnson, together with
their support staff, have direct experience in the residential housing sector.
Combe Bank currently owns eight residential development sites. In common with many newly formed house
building companies, activity in the first two years centred on land and property acquisition and the
commencement of the development of sites acquired.
The Proposed Directors believe that land acquisition, at the right price, is key to the success of
residential development. Combe Bank intends to concentrate on smaller unit number sites in order to
avoid having to compete with larger developers, and acquire sites out of the reach of the small
jobbing builder. Combe Bank's principal area of operation is the south-east of England i.e. the south-
east M25 ring, Kent and East Sussex.
Combe Bank's modus operandi is to outsource the majority of its activities to third parties. All
building and construction work is also outsourced.
Combe Bank's development programme is concentrated in Kent and embraces new build of detached, semi-
detached, terraced and apartment units. The gross development value of the portfolio is estimated by
the Proposed Directors, but is supported by valuations carried out on behalf o Combe Bank's banks. A
summary of Combe Bank's development programme is set out below:
Oakhurst Manor and Oakhurst Lodge, Hildenborough, Kent.
This is Combe Bank's principal site, having been acquired in January 2007 with planning permission for
residential development. The existing residential development was in the course of being improved by
their predecessors in title. The current application was continued with and resulted in planning
permission for 18,000 sq.ft. of residential development being granted, to be built on the footprint of
a former nursing home, out of a total site area of some four acres. The development is under way.
In view of the fact that the Local Planning Authority, when granting the latest consent, requested
that Combe Bank submit an affordable housing scheme for the site, the Proposed Directors, in
consultation with Combe Bank's architects and planning consultant, have drawn up a revised scheme
covering the entire site with approximately 80 affordable housing units, consisting of one, two and
three bedroom flats and houses. The 80 unit scheme will provide for some 280 habitable rooms which
will represent a substantial enhancement of the land value for the site.
The application for permission for the revised scheme was recently refused. Following the
recommendation of the planning consultant the Proposed Directors are considering lodging an appeal
against the refusal and, in the light of the advice received, believe the appeal will be successful.
Should planning permission for the revised scheme not be granted, which the Proposed Directors do not
believe will be the case, Combe Bank will continue with the development on the basis of the permission
already obtained for 18,000 sq ft of residential units. In this event the Proposed Directors
anticipate that the development's revenues should not be significantly affected.
67 High Street, Edenbridge, Kent
Combe Bank acquired this property with the benefit of planning permission for nine new build two
bedroom apartments and a studio together with a cottage for re-furbishment and a retail shop.
Development work is under way.
The Engineer Public House, Dover, Kent
As the name implies the site consists of a public house which was acquired with the intention of
conversion into four apartments after obtaining planning permission. Permission was obtained not only
for the apartments but also for a small detached property in the rear yard. Construction was completed
in 2009. The completed development is fully let, pending future sale.
Square Hill Road, Maidstone, Kent
This development of six apartments was completed in 2009 and is currently fully let, pending future
sale.
Sheerness, Kent
This site was acquired with planning permission for five one bedroom houses. Combe Bank submitted a
revised planning application and has received consent for six two bedroom units on the site thereby
increasing the land value. Development of this site will commence in the near future.
Ravenscourt Road, Deal, Kent
This site was acquired with the benefit of planning permission for three units, being a pair of semi-
detached houses and a detached house of 2,900 sq.ft. in total. Combe Bank has achieved consent for
enhanced planning permission to provide for six semi-detached units which have been completed. Four of
the units have been sold, and it is expected that the two remaining units will be sold during the
current financial year.
Fermor Road, Crowborough, East Sussex
Combe Bank acquired a site with planning permission for one detached and a pair of semi-detached units
in January 2010. Development work is complete and all three properties have been sold.
Stanhope Road, Dover, Kent
This site consists of a number of garages for which Combe Bank has been successful in obtaining
permission for the construction of a small block of two apartments. On completion of the development
the property was let, pending future sale.
Chalk Pit Hill, Chatham, Kent
Combe Bank has obtained planning permission for the construction of a small block of three town houses
on this site. The site originally consisted of a small industrial unit used as a car repair shop and
the price paid on acquisition reflected this. Development of this site will commence in the near
future.
In addition to the developments referred to above, Combe Bank owns one other property situated at
Stanhope Road, Dover, Kent. This property was acquired to facilitate the grant of planning permission
for the adjoining site referred to above. The property is tenanted at a rent reflecting a return in
excess of the Combe Bank's borrowing cost. It is proposed that the property will be sold in due
course.
The funding for the acquisition and development of land and property has typically been provided
through the Combe Bank's bankers who, subject to valuation, typically provide 60 per cent of the value
of land and 60 per cent of the building cost, with the remainder being typically funded through
Christopher Johnson's own resources. Combe Bank has facilities with its banks which enable it to
purchase land and property, with or without planning permission. Where sites are acquired without
planning permission, separate facilities are granted by Combe Bank's banks to finance the development
of the site once planning permission has been granted and the development of the site is due to
commence.
Combe Bank does not have an overdraft facility and all of its bank loans are site specific. The
balance of funding required over and above that provided by the Combe Bank's bank for site acquisition
and development and to service overheads is provided by Christopher Johnson and other sources.
The Board of Directors Trafalgar (the "Board")
The Board currently comprises Andrew Moore, Robert McKendrick and James Reid. On Completion Mr
McKendrick and Mr Reid will stand down and Mr Christopher Johnson and Mr Alexander Johnson will join
the Board as Executive Chairman and Sales and Marketing Director respectively. Mr Moore will remain as
a non-executive director.
Christopher Johnson is qualified as a solicitor. During the 1990s he established his own residential
property development company which was floated on the OFEX Market in 1999 and subsequently on AIM in
2001. The company was sold through a public offer for approximately £9.4 million in 2004. He then set
up another house building company which was sold for £3 million in December 2006, prior to
establishing Combe Bank.
Alexander Johnson is Christopher Johnson's son. He worked as a manager in an estate agency until 2002
when he joined his father in his residential property development company as sales director. He has
subsequently been involved in the development of Christopher Johnson's residential businesses,
including the establishment of Combe Bank.
Further information on the Proposed Directors is set out in the Circular.
Current Trading and Prospects
Combe Bank's land and property portfolio falls into three categories. The first consists of those
sites which have been fully developed and which have been retained following a decision not to market
them in a declining market. Construction work on these sites situated at Maidstone (six units), the
Engineer Public House, Dover (five units), Stanhope Road, Dover, (two maisonettes), and houses at 1
Stanhope Road, Dover, and Oakhurst Lodge, Bank Lane, Hildenborough, Kent was completed in 2009 and
2010. All these units have been let and generate income. At the appropriate time it is the intention
of the Proposed Directors to offer these properties for sale.
Properties in the second category consist of those which have been developed in the past year, which
have been offered for sale or sold, and should contribute to the Company's trading results in the
current financial year. These properties are two units at Aylesford, three units at Crowborough and
six at Deal. All the units at Aylesford and Crowborough have been sold. Construction of the units at
Deal has been completed. Four of the units have been sold, and it is expected that the two remaining
units will be sold during the current financial year.
The third category consists of four sites which have been retained for development. Of these,
construction work has been commenced on twelve units at Oakhurst Manor, Bank Lane, Hildenborough and
eleven units and a shop at High Street, Edenbridge.
Combe Bank has also obtained planning permission for six units in Sheerness and three units in Chatham
where it is anticipated construction work will commence during the current year.
In the financial information on Combe Bank set out in the Circular, the Profit and Loss Account for
the year ended 30 November 2010 reflected a loss of £903,100, principally resulting from a write-down
in the value of Oakhurst Manor, following a professional valuation of the site carried out in 2009. As
referred to above, the site is currently being developed.
Also included in the Circular are the audited results of Combe Bank for the six months ended 31 May
2011 which reflect a profit for the financial period of £329,495 on turnover of £645,000.
The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "City Code")
On Completion, Christopher and Alexander Johnson (who together constitute a concert party for the
purposes of the City Code) will hold 186,815,803 ordinary shares representing 87.14 per cent of the
ordinary share capital and 1,868 ordinary shares representing 0.01 per cent of the ordinary share
capital respectively, or 87.15 per cent of the Company's issued share capital in aggregate. The
members of the concert party would normally be required to make a general offer under Rule 9 of the
City Code. The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Panel") will normally agree to waive the
obligation to make a general offer that would otherwise arise through the issuance of new shares,
subject to the approval of independent shareholders on a poll at a general meeting. In this instance
the Panel has agreed to grant a waiver from the requirements for the Vendors to make a Rule 9 offer to
the shareholders following the provision of certain confirmations by independent shareholders holding
in excess of 50 per cent of the existing ordinary share capital of Trafalgar. Full details of these
confirmations and the Panel waiver are set out in the Circular.
Notice of General Meeting
A Circular, constituting a PLUS Admission Document, is expected to be posted to shareholders today.
The formal notice convening the General Meeting, to be held at 12:00 noon on 8 November 2011 will be
enclosed with the Circular, alongside an accompanying form of proxy. The General Meeting will be held
at the offices of SVS Securities Plc, 21 Wilson Street, London, EC2M 2SN. Subject, inter alia, to the
passing of the General Meeting Resolutions application will be made for the enlarged share capital of
Trafalgar to be admitted to PLUS-quoted. Dealings in the enlarged share capital are expected to
commence as soon as practicable after the passing of the resolutions and completion of the
Acquisition.
Copies of the Circular, the notice convening the General Meeting and the form of proxy may be obtained
from the offices of SVS Securities PLC, 21 Wilson Street, London EC2M 2SN for a period of one month
from the date of this announcement.
Undertakings in respect of Voting Intentions and Recommendation
Shareholders including Mr R McKendrick and Central Corporate Finance, a limited liability partnership
controlled by Mr Andrew Moore who hold, in aggregate, 12,777,861 ordinary shares in Trafalgar
representing 61.56 per cent of the existing ordinary share capital have irrevocably undertaken to vote
in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting. The Directors of Trafalgar
consider the proposals set out in the circular to be fair and reasonable and in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders as a whole. The Directors who hold in aggregate 8,527,861 ordinary
shares representing approximately 41.08 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company
have irrevocably committed to the Vendors to vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the
General Meeting set out in the Notice of Meeting contained in the Circular. The Directors of Trafalgar
unanimously recommend shareholders to vote in favour of the resolutions set out in the Notice of
General Meeting as they have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings
of ordinary shares.
THE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
Enquiries:
Trafalgar New Homes PLC
Andrew Moore
Tel: +44 (0)7836 722840
PLUS Corporate Adviser
SVS Securities PLC
Peter Ward/Alex Brearley
Tel: +44 207 638 5600
Trafalgar New Homes Plc