Strategic Advice and Support for Local Authorities

We provide a wide range of advice to local authorities and other public bodies, relating to development, viability, housing and planning, including;

• Reviewing and reporting on, viability assessments submitted for individual development projects. 
• Area-wide strategic viability assessments and strategies.
• Viability support to provide ‘clear and firm’ evidence to demonstrate that larger/strategic sites are deliverable, as required by Government guidance.
• Development support to identify an appropriate supply of specific, developable sites, as required by Government guidance.
• Facilitating engagement with landowners, site promoters and developers when assessing viability, in line with Government guidance. 
• Development support for Government bids for marginal viability and/or large-scale infrastructure funding (including the Housing Investment Fund (HIF).
• Site identification and appraisal for specialist uses (Gypsies and Travellers for example).
• Development, housing and homelessness strategies and setting up Private Sector Leasing schemes.
• Reviewing policies and procedures for planning/housing functions, and providing strategies for effective engagement with stakeholders.
• Retainer arrangements to advise local authorities on development, housing and viability issues, on an ongoing basis.
• Training, support and capacity building, for development, housing and viability.
  
  

Examples of Work Undertaken 

• A commission from Dartmoor National Park Authority to review viability submissions relating to planning applications for development proposals at South Brent and Buckfastleigh in Devon.
• A joint commission from Somerset West and Taunton Council and Somerset College of Arts and Technology to undertake an independent viability assessment relating to the relocation of the Canonsgrove Halls of Residence, to its main campus site in Taunton.
• A joint commission from Somerset West & Taunton Council and Abbey Manor Group to undertake an independent viability assessment relating to regeneration proposals for Firepool Lock, Taunton.
• A four-year retainer from Torbay Council, to provide development support, and to advise on affordable housing/planning policy implementation and development viability issues.  Undertaking numerous reviews of submitted viability assessments, and providing strategic advice relating to major planning applications, refurbishment projects and Enabling Development proposals.  This role also included strategic viability modelling for Local Plan purposes, and a review of strategic options for Council-owned sites.
• A commission from Teignbridge District Council to review and appraise potential sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
• Various commissions from Cornwall Council to review viability submissions relating to a number of planning applications, including Enabling Development Proposals for Falmouth Golf Club.
• Undertaking an Independent Scoping Review of strategic enabling and affordable housing issues for North Somerset Council, including interviews with key officers, preparation of a detailed report/action plan for implementation.
• Providing specialist advice on development viability and affordable housing, to Bruton Knowles Chartered Surveyors and Birmingham City Council, for the Attwood Green regeneration site in Birmingham City Centre.
• Strategic advice to Bristol City Council reviewing funding and redevelopment options for its “Prefab” project, extending over 15 Council owned sites.  Using only the value in the land and buildings, the project involved appraising funding scenarios to determine the optimum private sector development solution whilst returning the maximum number of new dwellings to Council ownership.
• Research and preparation of Torbay Council’s Housing Strategy 2003-2006.
• Establishing a new Housing Partnership Framework for Torbay Council, that was cited as a model of good practice by the Audit Commission.
• Advising on the restructuring of housing partnership working, and the preparation of a Housing Strategy for Mid Devon District Council.
• Undertaking a Homelessness Review and preparing a Homelessness Strategy for Exeter City Council, along with the research and preparation of its Housing Strategy.
• Devising and setting up Private Sector Leasing Schemes for Spelthorne Borough Council, Hart District Council and Torbay Council.
• A report for Homes England (formerly the Homes and Communities Agency) reviewing ‘Barriers to Good Design in Social Housing,’ under its Innovation and Good Practice framework.