Area Based Regeneration & Strategic Planning Consultancy
 
We formulate town centre, sub-regional and regional area based strategies, often working in multi-disciplinary teams with urban designers, town planners, engineers and economists.
 
We also supply policy development and research services 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:
 

• Newhaven Physical Development Vision (Newhaven Strategic Network)
• Central Area Employment Land Study (LB Tower Hamlets)
• Strategic Implementation Framework for the Thames Gateway (SEEDA)
• South East Coastal Strategy (SEEDA)
• Commercial Land and Property Study for Aldgate and Spitalfields (LB Tower Hamlets)

Research and Forecasting
 
We believe that research and accurate forecasting are cornerstones in the formulation of 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, identifying the underlying causes of market failure and tracking emerging trends across the commercial/residential sectors and in niche sectors such as science parks and business incubators.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Thames Gateway Housing Scenarios (Homes and Communities Agency)
• London Student Housing Requirements ( London Development Agency)
• Forecasting Housing Trends in Northstowe (English Partnerships)
• 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, Monitoring 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, as well as quasi Green Book or SPAG appraisals to help public sector agencies comply with independent audit requirements and Best Practice procedures. Over the last five years, we have prepared over 25 economic appraisals, securing endorsement for more than £330 million of public sector funding.
 
We also undertake project monitoring and retrospective evaluations to ensure that projects achieve their key milestones and deliver their requisite outputs.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Kent Homes and Roads Programme (Kent County Council)
• Reflections on the Single Conversation (Homes and Communities Agency)
• Economic Appraisal of Slough Town Centre (English Partnerships)
• Economic Appraisal of Woolston Riverside (SEEDA)
• 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.
 
Our skills include management of projects/programmes including site acquisitions/negotiation, joint venture agreements/negotiations, financial appraisals, programming, project co-ordination and reporting. We also prepare site briefs, advise on market development opportunities, and appoint/lead professional teams.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

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

Partnership and Grant Funding Advice
 
The viability and delivery of regeneration projects requires the formulation of partnerships and delivery structures, and an ability to seek out and draw down on the available resources.
 
We organise delivery vehicles and regeneration partnerships, and have advised on management and governance arrangements. We also provide advice on specialist and mainstream grant funding from the EU, UK Government and government agencies, and have advised on issues of State Aid.
 
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 the regeneration field, and well thought out Business Plans are now 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 into the regeneration process from the outset.
 
We prepare Business Plans drawing on detailed core research, sectoral reviews, and well developed systems of financial modelling and analysis. We also undertake project/programme monitoring for compliance and procedural/evaluation purposes and project appraisal to ensure the delivery of targets and objectives.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Local Investment Planning (Local Authorities, various)
• London Array (SEEDA and Kent County Council)
• Birkbeck Life Long Learning Campus (Birkbeck College)
• Q & R Retrofit Programme (SEEDA)
• Innovative Cluster Fund (LDA)

Economic Development
 
Economic Development is a crucial part of the regeneration process. As such, and to afford a holistic approach to complex regeneration projects, our team now includes economic development specialists. This means that we are not only able to offer a more integrated service in-house, but also to undertake economic development assignments in their own right.
 
We provide contributory inputs to economic appraisal and evaluation projects, as well as stand-alone consultancy advice on economic development issues, business retention and inward investment strategies, scoping studies, economic impact assessments, and socio-economic and market analysis.
 
For further information on our work click on the headings below:
 

• Leeds City Region Economic Development and Regeneration Priorities (LCR Partnership)
• Shoreham Harbour Development Strategy (SEEDA)
• Northstowe Economic Development and Employment Strategy
• London Array (SEEDA and Kent County Council)