Press Release Archive

Place North West Online - NJL Sees Signs of Recovery in Housing Market

13/11/2009

Manchester-based planning consultancy NJL Consulting reported a rise in demand for residential planning work in the North West for both new and revised developments.

Nick Lee, founding partner of NJL Consulting, said: "We're seeing a surge in enquiries for residential planning projects. The work ranges from new developments to schemes that have previously stalled due to the recession and are no getting back on track, albeit with revised plans to suit current market demands.

"Obviously we are not seeing new developments spring up at the rate they were in the run-up to the recession, but there is still demand for houses that match the needs of the market.

"When the housing market was booming almost any new development would sell, but now there is a surplus of houses consumers are able to be more selective. Even so, there is still demand for developments of quality houses on quality sites."

NJL Consulting recently submitted an application in Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, for a total of 34 homes and apartments by Russell Armer Homes on behalf of the landowner. The scheme will include up to 35% affordable homes.

NJL has also been instructed by Taylor Wimpey to amend and re-submit a previously accepted application for a development in Blackley, Manchester. The modified application will still propose to build approximately 130 houses, but will offer a broader mix of size and type of house than the original application in line with current demand.

Businessdesk.co.uk - Hunger for Housing Returns Says Consultant

13/11/2009

Manchester based planning consultant NJL Consulting said it has seen a rise in demand for residential planning in the North West.

The firm, which has recently handled planning applications for a housing scheme in Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire, and a Taylor Wimpey development in Manchester, said its experience tallied with the latest findings from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

RICS' latest UK Housing Market Survey found that North West house prices and the number of sales are continuing to rise.

Nick Lee, founding partner of NJL, said: "We're seeing a surge in enquiries for residential planning projects. The work ranges from new developments to schemes that have previously stalled due to the recession and are no getting back on track, albeit with revised plans to suit current market demands.

"Obviously we are not seeing new developments spring up at the rate they were in the run-up to the recession, but there is still demand for houses that match the needs of the market."

North West Insider - Planning and Future of Property Sector Dinner

01/11/2009

Overcoming political uncertainty was up for discussion among property professionals at Insider's first sector dinner

Nick Lee and Rob White of NJL Consulting held a successful sector dinner on Planning and the Future of Property. The attendees were Nick Lee (NJL Consulting), Rob White (NJL Consulting), Paul Smith (Taylor Wimpey), Peter Nears (Peel Holdings), Chris Farrow (Central Salford), Nigel McGurk (Ainscough Strategic Land), Andrew Dickman (Patrick Properties), Nigel Smith (The Co-operative Group) and David Roberts (MAG Developments).

What's wrong with planning?

Nick Lee Planning can play more of a role in understanding the bigger picture of how development needs to progress. Suitably, availability and deliverability need to be the watchwords, and I think that's coming to the fore in housing now.

Nigel Smith One of the biggest issues is that everything changes as politicians change at local authorities. If you know the rules and the process is non-political, you can progress schemes with more confidence that it will be deliverable. Look at housing - one minute there are targets, the next there aren't.

Nigel McGurk The whole system hasn't become any more dynamic in 60 years. By the time applications are through, they're out of date.

Peter Nears With the falls in land values, the emphasis on evidence stalls progress because by the time you're through the process its historical evidence.

David Roberts Sometimes there has to be a leap of faith, discounting the evidence base, because the planning system does constrain momentum.

Paul Smith There's been too much management of housing. As a housebuilder, a local authority can tell us where to build, what to build and how big to build. And with affordable housing, how much to sell it for - there's no room for a market to operate.

Would radical change to presumed consent help?

Peter Nears It's a superficially attractive idea and may have worked in the past, but the world is a complicated place with EU legislation being just one factor.

Chris Farrow Why shouldn't a BREEAM Excellent scheme automatically win consent, rather than having to tick every box? It would remove a level of bureaucracy.

Andrew Dickman We would sign up for that - it's something that could be assessed independently, like building regulations.

Nigel McGurk But how do you deal with wider public realm issues and subjective views on design. Planners have expertise and generally see the bigger picture. There's an argument that says we need a more powerful planning officer. Demands are high.

Nigel Smith The breadth of planning officers workload has got bigger; they're being asked to make decisions on areas in which they aren't experts, whether economic viability, sustainability, or whatever the current political obsession is.

Chris Farrow Thinking about the bigger picture is needed, and planning has to be part of a larger process. An old milltown is never going to be a milltown again, it has to decide what it will be and everything needs to support that.

Nick Lee Over the past 18 months we have worked on a few outline parameter schemes - basically a semi-masterplan - that's working because the developer does not have to commit to the 300,000 - plus that a full major application can take, but £30,000. If it gets consent, it enhances book value and allows you to go to the market with a mini-consent, while convincing the local authority that you're not pulling a fast one.

For more please view the November issue of the Insider magazine.

53º Magazine - How to Maximise Profitability from Planning Consent

01/11/2009

Written by Russell Adams, Senior Consultant, NJL Consulting

If it were all that simple I'd be out of a job!  But here goes....In order to maximise profit there are two important strands to understand in parallel:

1)  Site constraints and opportunities.

2)  The owners (and banks!) expectations of value, timescales of delivery, and resource. 

Assessing the site constraints and opportunities involves an understanding of:

• Infrastructure capacity - Highways, Utilities, Ecology, Schools, Hospitals etc.  These contextual matters need understanding from the outset as they can either provide an opportunity for profit (e.g. localised energy production) or a cost through contributions.
• Planning considerations - Are we able to unlock additional value under the existing planning permission through permitted development? At what stage of adoption is the Local Development Framework?  What representations can be made to position your site appropriately?  How long will it take to realise the uplift in value (very relevant to second strand!)? 
• Market demand - What uses are in demand and is it worth playing the waiting game alongside positioning the site to maximise your profit?

Understanding and explaining the above and instructing the necessary assessments will help shape and inform the owners (and/or banks) expectations, and how much resource they are able and willing to invest in gaining or re-working the existing planning consent.

Instructing and managing appropriate specialist consultants is fundamental from the outset.  NJL Consulting specialises in advising and managing clients and co-consultants through the planning application process.  If you are a site owner or have an investment opportunity you need to assess in confidence please get in touch.

Planning Magazine - Snipe Retail Park Instruction

01/11/2009

NJL Consulting has been commissioned to provide strategic planning advice for Snipe Retail Park in Ashton-under-Lyne. 

The retail park's owner LaSalle Investment Management has instructed the consultancy to oversee the sites promotion within the Tameside local development framework.

Property Week - Government Flip Flops over Competition Test

30/10/2009

Planners, developers and councils lose patience over changes to PPS4

When the Competition Appeal Tribunal decided against plans for a "competition test" for large schemes in March, planning experts began to wonder if it was ever going to become planning policy.

The resulting draft version of Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) on Town Centre retail planning went out for consultation to Communities and Local Government (CLG) over the three months to the end of July without such a test included.

However, it still might be adopted, and sooner than the planners might think.

The Competition Commission renewed its call for CLG to introduce such a test on 2 October.

A competition test would prevent retailers from opening in an area where they already have a large presence. CLG still expects to publish its final version of PPS4 by the end of 2009 and has not ruled out a competition test as part of it. This would represent a significant change from the draft version.

Planning experts are unhappy with the amount of time the government is taking to come to a decision.

Including a competition test would add further complexity to an already confusing PPS4 document, one that has left developers worrying that they could be hit with stricter criteria to build schemes in town centres (see box).

Nick Lee, partner at NJL Planning, believes PPS4 is the wrong medium through which to introduce a competition test for because planning policy should only be about land use. He says it would bring additional complexity into the system because in many cases, when planners consider large schemes, they do not know which tenants will be going in there.

Planners also suggest PPS4 could be delayed if CLG is too busy working on its series of national policy statements, or if there is a change of government.

Property Week - Going Places - Chris Jones

16/10/2009

Chris Jones has joined NJL Consulting as a partner with responsibility for development planning. He joins from Cushman & Wakefield. Tel: 0845 362 8202

Planning Resource - NJL Advise on Ashton Retail Park

16/10/2009

NJL Consulting has been commissioned to provide strategic planning advice for Snipe Retail Park in Ashton-under-Lyne.

The retail park's owner LaSalle Investment Management has instructed NJL Consultancy to oversee the site's promotion within the Tameside local development framework.

Crain's Online - NJL Wins Tameside Retail Park Instruction

12/10/2009

Manchester-based planning firm NJL Consulting has been instructed by LaSalle Investment Management to provide strategic planning advice at the Snipe Retail Park in Ashton under Lyne.

The retail park, situated just off junction 23 of the M60 close to Ashton town centre, comprises of 270,000 sq ft of retail and warehouse space, and currently includes stores from retailers such as B&Q, Next, Currys, Staples, Carphone Warehouse, Argos, Comet, and Halfords.

Mark Saunders, senior planner at NJL Consulting, said: "The instructions for the Snipe Retail Park are the latest of a number of ongoing projects with LaSalle. In the short-term we will be overseeing the promotion of the site within the emerging Local Development Framework policy consultations.

"Ultimately, we are looking to protect and enhance the reputation of the park as a popular and vibrant retail park in the Tameside area of Manchester, and we look forward to working with various partners to achieve this goal."

Regen & Renewal Online - Appointment at NJL Consulting - Chris Jones

12/10/2009

Chris Jones has been appointed as a partner at planning firm NJL Consulting in Didsbury, Manchester. He will be responsible for development planning. Jones joins from estate agency Cushman & Wakefield, where he helped to set up its Manchester planning team, which he led for two years.

Manchester Evening News Paper - Appointments - Chris Jones

08/10/2009

Chris Jones has joined Manchester based planning consultancy NJL Consulting as a Partner. His last role was to set up the Manchester planning team at Cushman and Wakefield, which he led for two years. He will be responsible for development planning at Didsbury based NJL.

Businessdesk.co.uk - NJL Recruit New Partner

08/10/2009

NJL Consulting has recruited Chris Jones as a new partner at the Didsbury-based planning consultancy.

Mr Jones who has worked for Chesterto, Mathews and Goodman and most recently Cushman and Wakefield will be responsible for development planning at NJL alongside current partners Nick Lee and Rob White.

He said: "There is a team of hugely talented people at NJL and it was an easy decision to make the shift from a large property company to a niche commercial consultancy such as this."

Founder and partner Nick Lee said: "Chris' experience complements what we have already built at NJL. We are looking to invest now for the future of NJL and have pulled a very strong team together."

53º Magazine - Rain, Rain Go Away!

01/10/2009

Written by Caroline Speight, Senior Consultant, NJL Consulting

This summer has once again seen significant amounts of rainfall, surface water flooding and the effects this has on householders, businesses and communities. It is important that existing properties are suitably protected by insurance, but also that potential future risk from flooding is identified.

The Environment Agency is responsible for mapping areas at risk from flooding, and also to monitor and issue flood warnings.  Information on whether your property or business is at risk from flooding can be obtained from their website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure .  If you are intending on submitting a planning application, flood risk advice is now required for most types of applications.

Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS 25) was introduced in December 2006, and requires any application over 1 hectare in size to be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment, outside of Flood Risk Zones this should address the management of surface water run-off and drainage.  Applications less than 1 hectare whether domestic or commercial also require a flood risk assessment should they fall within a Flood Risk Zone.    

Most of the flooding that occurred in 2007 was largely due to excessive surface water run-off and drain bursts, even if you don't live next to river, there is still a potential risk of flooding from drains, sewers and culverted water courses. 

The Government are currently consulting on a number of minor amendments to PPS 25, and with every summer of rain and floods, this guidance is likely to be regularly updated so whether you intend to submit a small scale domestic application or a large commercial application, ensure that flooding is one risk that is not overlooked.

Property Week - Going Places - Jonathan Harper

14/09/2009

NJL Consulting has taken on Jonathan Harper as a graduate intern. He has an MA in town and country planning and will serve a four-month placement at the sustainability specialist

53º Magazine - Global Challenges - Local Opportunities

01/09/2009

This week Government published a Renewable Energy Strategy, a Low Carbon Industrial Strategy and a Low Carbon Transition Plan.  Grand titles for the UK's response to big global issues.  But take a closer look at the 700 or so pages and you see that much of the technology, skills and natural assets that the country is going to depend on in the future are right here in Manchester and the Northwest.

We have world leading companies in the Nuclear, environmental and advanced engineering sectors. The Low Carbon industry is worth £106billion every year in the UK.   It will create around 200,000 new jobs in the UK by 2015.  With good support, our small and medium businesses have the ideas and drive needed to take a big slice of these new markets.  But finding out exactly what is available can be tricky.   There is big money around, aimed at both sides of firms' balance sheets. £100m for energy saving technology, £405m for everything from electric cars to Carbon Capture and a clean energy cash back scheme for businesses that produce energy.   Business Link, RDAs and so on must make sure people really know what's on offer underneath the 700 words.  NJL's Sustainability Team can advise on how your business can contribute to these global challenges. 

The businnessdesk.co.uk - Market at the Moor Moves Forward

27/08/2009

Block 6 at The Moor in Sheffield

A REVISED planning application has been submitted to create an indoor market and eight commercial buildings at a shopping precinct in Sheffield.

RREEF, the global alternative investment management business of Deutsche Bank's Asset Management division, has submitted the revised plans for the redevelopment of Block 6 on The Moor, Sheffield.

The indoor market will have space for 200 modern stalls for general produce, food and cafe use.

The eight commercial units facing The Moor precinct will be double height units and will feature glazed frontages offering modern retail space to meet tenants' requirements.

Block 6, designed by architects Leslie Jones, will feature a glass and timber roof fronting and is designed to be highly sustainable using a rainwater recycling scheme and renewable energy.

Nick Lee, of planning specialists NJL Consulting, which is working on the application, said: "This development is a key location in the city and a strong retail focus is essential for creating a thriving city centre environment.

"Working in partnership with Sheffield City Council we are delighted to be bringing forward this quality solution for the site. 

We hope that a decision can be made quickly to enable this project to move forward."

A decision on the application is expected by early November.

The Yorkshire Star - Modern Market Building a Step Nearer to Reality

21/08/2009

PLANS for The Moor, a new markets complex in Sheffield have moved a step nearer.

Developers have submitted drawings and plans to the council to build on the vacant site on the corner of The Moor and Cumberland Street.

The plan is for an indoor market with space for 200 stalls and eight shops - modelled on modern markets popular on the continent.

The development - which would replace Castle Market as the city's main market facility - features a "spectacular glass and timber diagrid roof" fronting The Moor.

Nick Lee, of agents NJL Consulting, said: "This development is a key location in the city and a strong retail focus is essential for creating a thriving city centre environment.

"Working in partnership with Sheffield Council we are delighted to be bringing forward this quality solution for the site. We hope a decision can be made quickly to enable this project to move forward."

Ian Bingham, of the Market Traders Federation, said: "The new indoor market on the Moor is a project that has been discussed for a long time, so it is great to finally see these plans on display."

A Sheffield Council planning board is expected to vote on the application in November.

Businessdesk.co.uk - NJL Recruit Intern

18/08/2009

PROPERTY development consultancy NJL Consulting has expanded its team with an intern from The University of Manchester's Graduate Internship Programme.

The programme offers paid short-term internship opportunities to the university's recent graduates to bridge the gap from further education to full-time professional.

Jonathan Harper, who graduated this year with an MA in Town and Country Planning, is spending an initial four months with NJL, after which he will hope to become a permanent member of the team on the company's graduate trainee programme.

Nick Lee, partner at NJL, said: "Jonathan will benefit from the extensive training on our graduate trainee programme and we're delighted to be able to link up with the university on this excellent scheme. There are many talented graduates out there looking for jobs and this helps give them a foot in the door.

"Its disappointing that some of the larger planning teams across the country are announcing large scale redundancies, particularly in relation to junior roles, rather than adapting their businesses to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there."

The Cumberland News - Co-op Objects to Tesco's Wigton Supermarket Plan

03/07/2009

Plans for a Tesco in Wigton will "gravely jeopardise" the future of the town's traders, according to the Co-operative Group.

The retail group, which owns a store in the town centre, has lodged objections against proposals for a 30,000sq ft Tesco supermarket and cafe on the site of Hopes auction mart.

The objection document, prepared by NJL Consulting Planning Consultants on behalf of the Co-op, claims a supermarket will "ultimately detract from the town centre's vitality and viability".

It goes on to state: "It will have an annual turnover of nearly twice the annual turnover of the whole town.

"We feel that this application will not promote vitality and viability, but gravely jeopardise the existing trade within it.

"The proposed Tesco is disproportionate to Wigton and the existing convenience goods retailers."

According to the objection, the Tesco is projected to take around £1m yearly from shoppers who currently buy their goods in the Wigton Co-op store - around a third of the Co-op's annual turnover.

It also slams Tesco's proposal projections that a new supermarket in the market town would "claw back" local shoppers who visit supermarkets in Carlisle, Cockermouth and Workington.

The objections echo the fears of many of Wigton's independent traders. Mary Huntington, of High Street florists, Baskets and Bunches, said: "I have objected along with the rest of the businesses.

"Tesco sells everything and it is a one-stop shop. People won't come down the street. And as for all the traffic it will bring, the town is just not big enough."

Bill Lightfoot has traded as a greengrocer in Wigton's High Street for 29 years. He said: "We are anti-Tesco. If they come, it will threaten independent businesses.

"I can't think of any town where a supermarket has not made a mess of things. We fought to get a bypass for the town to take the wagons and cars out, then Tesco comes and wants to bring it all back in."

Cumbria County Council has voiced concerns about traffic issues connected with the plans. Highways officers have called for Tesco's proposals for junctions, footpaths, a travel plan for shoppers and employees and a 20mph zone around the local school to be revisited.

A spokeswoman for the Co-op said: "The planned Tesco store is outside Wigton town centre and we would therefore expect Tesco to comply with national policy and demonstrate how the new store would benefit the town centre and the local retailers.

"We are awaiting a date for the planning committee to meet, when our objection will be considered."

Doug Wilson, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, said: "We know from speaking to local people that they want more choice and value when shopping in Wigton. It is this sort of healthy competition that we want to offer.

"We operate a national pricing policy in all our superstores to ensure that all our customers benefit from our great value shopping. This, of course, will be the case in Wigton too."

53º Magazine - A Positive Step for Investment and Site Delivery...

01/07/2009

Written by Mark Saunders, Senior Planning Consultant, NJL Consulting

"Prosperity", is the latest buzz word in town planning and development.  At a time when many in the development sector are struggling, the Government has produced draft planning policy to help steer the country out of recession.

Planning can, and should, play a pivotal role in stimulating investment for economic growth, through land use changes and built development schemes. 

The newly released guideline, PPS4 ‘Planning for Prosperous Economies', seeks to achieve this by putting back a long lost presumption in favour of development, which used to be a cornerstone of the planning system.

The document covers ALL land uses and for landowners and developers there are potentially significant opportunities as a result of this positive policy change:

• Unlocking of previously difficult sites;
• Greater flexibility for land uses is encouraged;
• Promotion of an increased use of planning ‘tools' - means of fast tracking the planning system;
• Previously costly legal agreements more in favour of the developer to ensure delivery of schemes.

Public consultation on the document lasts until the end of July 2009 and could form a great first step for those interested in securing deliverable outcomes for their sites.

If you are a site owner or have potential purchases lined up, and would like to know how the new PPS4 can be of benefit to your ambitions for site delivery get in touch.

Estates Gazette - Into the Unknown

13/06/2009

Will Cheshire's planning shake-up result in streamlined services or merely inconsistencies and confusion?

A planning shake-up is beginning to get under way across Cheshire.

The new local government regime, which involves the replacement of six former borough councils with two new unitary authorities and the abolition of the former Cheshire County Council, is intended to lead to a streamlining and simplification of council services.

But, as the system beds in following its introduction on 1 April, some planning specialists fear that the move could spell uncertainty for developers and housebuilders.

Since each of the six former boroughs had its own distinct planning policies, there are worries about what will happen now that these boroughs have been merged.

Political Differences

The other key problem for the two new authorities concerns social, economic and political differences between areas that have been merged as a result of reorganisation.

Parts of Cheshire are among the most affluent areas in the UK. The footballers' wives capitals of Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, for example, have become synonymous with big houses and big cars. They contrast sharply with the industrial heartland of Crewe, which now falls within the same local authority patch.

A similar situation has arisen at Cheshire West and Chester, where the manufacturing centre of Ellesmere Port is now part of the same local authority area as historic Chester.

Although both councils have set up a system whereby planning committees meet in different towns on a rotating basis, some suggest that, if a particular committee has, for example, a strong base of councillors from Chester, it could be tempted to make planning decisions that are less in favour of Ellesmere Port.

Nick Lee, director of planning practice at NJL Consulting, believes that Cheshire West and Chester is already working well and he does not anticipate major policy problems. He thinks that tensions over planning decisions are more likely to come to the fore in Cheshire East.

"The issue of green belt release is likely to be more of a hot potato in Cheshire East," he says. "When you look at each settlement, such as Macclesfield or Wilmslow or Congleton, they are all close to capacity, so something has to give. There may to a temptation for councillors to look at things politically. If there are factions, those with more to say may not want the green belt release problem on their doorstep."

According to Lee, considerable variation in infrastructure quality and capacity could also throw up some problems for Cheshire East when determining sites for major development.

 "The infrastructure in Crewe is way behind that in Macclesfield and Wilmslow, which has the fast a34 route into central Manchester and will soon get the new South East Manchester link road," he says.

Express and Star - Major New Supermarket Plan for City

12/06/2009

A major new supermarket is set to open in Wolverhampton creating 350.

Bosses at the Peel Centre, off Stafford Street, are in talks with an unnamed retailer to launch a new store.

It will have up to 100,000 sq ft of shopping space. There will also be 720 parking spaces, new trees, shrubs and landscaping.

At present, traders at the site include JJB Sports, Bensons Beds and Harveys furniture store. Four stores would have to be demolished to make way for the development.

It is not yet known which firms would be affected.

An outline planning application has just been submitted to Wolverhampton City Council by NJL Consulting, on behalf of the Peel Retail Centre.

The Asda store next to Molineux is 55,000 sq ft, meaning the new Stafford Street supermarket could potentially be almost double the size.

Gareth Finch, property planning manager for Peel Retail Centre, said today: "We have applied for 100,000 sq ft of floor space to give us flexibility if we want it to be that big, until we can confirm which supermarket would run it.

"Four buildings on the site would be demolished. We have easily got enough room for it."

The application states that public opinion is "very much in favour" of creating another major supermarket within the city centre.

Councillor Paddy Bradley, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We do need another big shopping centre in Wolverhampton.

"We tend to attract a lot of people to our city from areas like South Staffordshire and the more big supermarkets we can offer, the better.

"It would be a very welcome investment, even if we don't yet know which firm wants to run the supermarket."

The Peel Centre, built in 1987, used to be able to sell only furniture and so-called "bulky goods" like clothes.

But this year the rules were relaxed to allow it to expand.

53º Magazine - Time to Safeguard Site Values!

01/06/2009

Written by Mark Saunders, Senior Planning Consultant, NJL Consulting

The current economic climate has created delays for many property developments.

In 2004, the standard lifespan of planning permissions was reduced from 5 to 3 years.  Many sites with planning permission with this reduced time allowance have since stalled due to financial viability and deliverability issues.  This raises two points:

1. Protection of site value with planning permission
2. Opportunities to alleviate viability pressures

Those with planning permissions should be exploring all avenues to implement or extend their permissions in order to protect the added value created to their site. 

Full review of pre-commencement conditions is a starting point to understand the programming implications in discharging them.    

If conditions are unlikely to be able to be discharged in time, a planning application could be re-submitted.  However, early consideration of necessary supporting information and planning policy change since the original permission is vital to assess risk and costs.

With regards to viability, there is now more room for manoeuvre to renegotiate existing legal agreements.  Economic recession and impacts on the site delivery are material considerations which can be used to review and refresh the agreements to the advantage of the applicant.

The clock is ticking, but there are still things you can do to protect your assets.  NJL can provide advice to you and your clients in order to develop a strategy to retain or enhance the value of your planning permission and protect development delivery. 

Estates Gazette - Sheffield Disunited

30/05/2009

A developer has put a £600m retail scheme on hold - and it's not just the recession that's being blamed.

When plans for a major retail development in the centre of Sheffield were unveiled in 2002, there were high hopes that the scheme would boost the City's and South Yorkshire's economic fortunes.

Seven years on, the £600m New Retail Quarter project - now known as Sevenstone has been shelved.

Some observers in Sheffield claim that Sevenstone is one of several schemes that are the victims of political infighting within the City's council, though none are prepared to say so on the record.

In March this year Sevenstones developer, Hammerson announced that it was shelving all major developments for 2009.

Construction at Sevenstone is unlikely to start until the economy recovers, which could be as far off as 2011.

Nick Lee, Partner at planning specialist NJL Consulting, says "it's a real blow to the city centre's regeneration efforts. It's very concerning how the area looks at the moment."

North West Insider - Who's Afraid of Sustainable Development

01/05/2009

Written by Rob White, Partner, NJL Consulting

There are many buzz words around at the moment that can instil uncertainty amongst developers and house builders.  Terms such as: ‘zero carbon' and ‘water neutrality' are often not fully understood in terms of their financial and regulatory implications. 

Complying with these rapidly changing sustainability standards can be a daunting proposition, especially when you are focussed on how to survive the effects of the economic down turn.

However, these new requirements create opportunities to differentiate the product, ease the planning process and importantly reduce capital costs or provide ongoing revenue. 

Tenants or owners of new developments have a demand for utilities and services and even the most eco-friendly homes and buildings require heat, power, water and telecoms.  All these services are normally provided by the incumbent utility operators who charge the tenant or owner and make a profit.  This profit comes not just from the services provided, but also from the asset value of the infrastructure in the ground.

Recently utility markets have been opened up with opportunities emerging for developers to share in the profits through partnerships with utility companies. 

With the correct advice and partners on board, developers need not fear Sustainable Development, but instead can explore new ways to achieve the required standards in the most cost-effective way and provide ongoing revenue post-development.

NJL can help unlock these opportunities, bringing together a team of specialist engineering, financial and legal advisers to deliver maximum value and succeed through planning and onwards to development.

Peel Holdings Unveil a Major Regeneration Scheme in Nottingham

01/04/2009

Peel Holdings, a Manchester based property development, renewable energy, transportation and hotel group have unveiled their initial proposals for a new 350,000ft² office and hotel regeneration scheme in the heart of the Nottingham City Centre.

The developers are submitting their initial plans to the Nottingham City Council for consultation incorporating some 250,000ft² of offices and a four star (plus) (250) bedroom hotel with onsite parking.

Peel are working closely with the Nottingham City Council and Nick Lee of Planning Consultants NJL Consulting is coordinating the progress on behalf of the Developers.  NJL are combining an in principle outline planning approach incorporating detailed control plans which will help guide the detail of the development over the coming months with Peel aspiring to obtain a planning consent in the next 4-6 months.

Nick Lee confirmed "We are undertaking an innovative two stage approach as it is an ideal way of working hard at core principles of development on key regeneration sites.  Once the core principals have been established this will allow us to concentrate and give full attention to the detail of the building and incorporate the needs and aspirations of an occupier or occupiers who may be considering the location."

The scheme is proposed to incorporate some height and recently Nottingham City Council had to consider a number of issues relating to taller buildings which have been promoted/considered.

On the ‘height' debate, Nick Lee notes "Height has been a major element of discussion with the Nottingham City Council which will no doubt continue to be debated.  In our view whilst height is an aspect of consideration, the ability to control a quality of development must be paramount to Nottingham City Council.  The method that we have put forward allows for such control to be put into place early on so that even greater attention can be given to the quality of the design at the detailed design stage. 

In our view this location should utilise height to advantage as a marker to the station area and to complement previously consented schemes which already rise beyond the skyline."

Estates Gazette - Peel Rethinks at Sovereign House

01/04/2009

Peel Holdings have drawn up fresh plan for one of Nottingham's key regeneration sites. It scrapped plans for a 220,000 sq ft, residential led revamp of the Sovereign House site nine months ago, following the collapse of the housing market. Peel is now preparing to submit proposals for a 350,000 sq ft scheme, comprising 250,000 sq ft of offices and a 250-bedroom, four-star hotel. The existing 1960's Sovereign House would be demolished, to make way for an office cluster which could house a corporate HQ. Fisher Hargreaves Proctor is letting agent; NJL Consulting is planning consultant.