Regeneration, Economic Development and Planning Consultancy
 
Formulation of town centre, sub-regional and regional area based strategies, often working in a multi disciplinary team with urban designers, town planners, engineers and economists.

• Regeneration - specialist regeneration research for public and private sector clients.
• Economic Development - expertise in employment research and strategy, including advice on business incubators and science and business park accommodation.
• Planning - Policy development and research to provide the evidence base for Local Development Frameworks and other policy instruments, including housing market assessments and employment land studies.

 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Central Area Employment Land Study (LB Tower Hamlets)
• Economic Development and Employment Strategy for Northstowe (English Partnerships)
• Strategic Implementation Framework for the Thames Gateway (SEEDA)
• South East Coastal Strategy (SEEDA)
• Faversham Employment Development Strategy (Faversham Enterprise)
• Commercial Land and Property Study for Aldgate and Spitalfields (LB Tower Hamlets)

Research and Forecasting
 
We believe research and accurate forecasting are cornerstones in effective regeneration solutions. Coupled with our in-depth understanding of the regeneration process, this means our work is well researched, authoritative and provides a sound platform for further development.
 
Our forecasting and projection techniques recognise the key economic drivers for growth, and are based upon the analysis of local/regional economic and specific business sectors, as well as socio-economic and social reviews to consider business competitiveness, deprivation and employment.
 
We undertake supply/demand analyses, identify the underlying causes of market failure, and track emerging trends across the commercial/residential sectors and within specialist niche sectors such as science parks and business incubators.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Contamination and Derelict Land Remediation Costs Best Practice Note (English Partnerships)
• Forecasting Housing Trends in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (English Partnerships & LB Barking and Dagenham)
• London Student Housing Requirements ( London Development Agency)
• Forecasting Housing Trends in Northstowe (English Partnerships)
• Strategic Review of Physical Regeneration (Interserve)
• Millennium Communities Evaluation Framework (English Partnerships)
• Structuring Public: Private Joint Ventures in Regeneration (BURA)

Financial Appraisals and Feasibility Assessments
 
Traditional development appraisals to assess financial viability, likely rates of return and areas of potential deficit, tap into our core skills and are a fundamental part of our offer. We undertake a wide range of commissions, from detailed Discounted Cashflows and certified 'Red Book' valuations, to broadbrush opinions of value.
 
We also undertake sophisticated financial modelling to enable the appraisal of complex mixed used regeneration projects to inform feasibility, risk assessment, options analysis, structuring land ownership and joint venture arrangements.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Scoping Study for Holt Town, East Manchester (Cibitas and New East Manchester)
• Shoreham Port Development Strategy (SEEDA)
• Chatham Maritime (SEEDA)
• Stadium Access Gateway, Huddersfield (Cibitas)
• Aylesham Village Expansion, Kent (Dover District Council)

Economic Appraisal and Evaluation
 
If projects are to achieve their objectives, the link between vision and reality requires careful appraisal, in order to ensure that value-for-money is achieved and that their economic impact, as well as 'regeneration' outputs (such as employment opportunities, new homes, commercial floorspace etc) are properly quantified.
 
We prepare Green Book or Economic Appraisals for referral to DCLG and HM Treasury, and quasi Green Book appraisals to help public sector agencies comply with their independent audit requirements and internal 'Best Practice' procedures.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Barking Riverside (London Development Agency)
• Economic Appraisal of Slough Town Centre (English Partnerships)
• Economic Appraisal of Woolston Riverside (SEEDA)
• Economic Impact Assessment of Operation Stack (Channel Corridor Partnership)
• Interim Evaluation of the East Kent Coalfields Programme (SEEDA)

Development Management and Implementation
 
The delivery and implementation of regeneration projects is complex, often involving contaminated sites, low land values and high levels of deprivation. We have many years' 'hands on' experience at managing major development projects, in many instances from start to finish. Consequently, we are well versed in the importance of formulating critical paths and setting key milestones. Our active management style ensures that it is possible to measure performance against target and budget, at any point in the development programme.
 
As ever, our services are flexible. We have, for example, taken a leading 'Client' role on projects, assuming total responsibility and with delegated authority for contract management, financial expenditure etc. In the past, this has resulted in us negotiating land acquisitions, letting contracts and finalising heads of terms for legal agreements on our clients' behalf. At the other end of the scale, we can slot into clients' existing teams, to provide bespoke financial/consultancy advice or simply an additional management resource.
 
We manage projects/programmes involving site acquisition, joint venture negotiations, financial appraisal, programming and overall project co-ordination and reporting. We also prepare site briefs, market development opportunities and appoint/manage professional teams.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Dover Town Centre (Dover District Council)
• Aylesham Village Expansion, Kent (Dover District Council)
• Shoreham Port Development Strategy (SEEDA)

Partnership and Grant Funding Advice
 
We structure delivery vehicles and regeneration partnerships, management and governance arrangements. We also provide advice on specialist and mainstream grant funding from the EU, UK Government and government agencies.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Structuring Public:Private Joint Ventures in Regeneration (BURA)
• A38 Investment Delivery Vehicle (Advantage West Midlands)
• East Kent Spatial Delivery Company (SEEDA)
• Margate Action Plan (SEEDA)
• Sittingbourne Town Centre (Swale Forward)

Business Plans and Monitoring
 
Effective delivery/implementation is assuming more importance within regeneration practice, with the need for well thought out Business Plans becoming an integral part of the project process.
 
Business Plans have a crucial role in eliminating uncertainty and clarifying the context within which projects are taken forward. By setting out and signing up to a project's key components up-front, stakeholders will share a common understanding of their role, as well as overall objectives, funding requirements, end product(s) and how the development programme will be managed. In this way, structure and authority are built in at the outset.
 
We prepare Business Plans drawing on detailed core research, sectoral reviews, and well developed systems of financial modeling and analysis. We also undertake project/programme monitoring for compliance and procedural/evaluation purposes and project appraisal.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• London Array (SEEDA and Kent County Council)
• Birkbeck Life Long Learning Campus (Birkbeck College)
• Mountview Academy Business Plan (LB Haringey, Mountview Academy & LDA)
• Business Plan for the Regeneration of Queenborough and Rushenden (Swale Forward)
• Innovative Cluster Fund (LDA)

Expert Witness Services
 
Our Directors act on behalf of Authorities and promoters at Examinations in Public and are familiar with expert witness procedure and practices.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Forecasting Housing Trends in Northstowe (English Partnerships)
• Shoreham Port Development Strategy (Birkbeck College)