Planning & Development Bulletin - Oct 2020

Over the past three months, the COVID-19 crisis has continued to cause economic turbulence and accelerated structural change across to the commercial property spectrum. 

To aid decision making in this difficult time, our research specialists, working with our national and regional property professionals, have released a video update looking at the latest trends across the commercial occupier and investment markets. To view the video, click here.

Our professionals recently undertook appraisal analysis on behalf of Associated British Ports, considering the viability and deliverability of potential development proposals around the Port of Lowestoft.

The development proposals sought to improve the long-term economic performance of both the port and Lowestoft town centre in partnership with East Suffolk Council and other local stakeholders.

The analysis informed our client’s decision-making process and presented a robust evidence base for potential public sector funding bids. The approach required a bespoke financial model, cashflow knowledge, and understanding of the economic rationale for public sector grant funding. Our analysis included research on development concepts for land uses with unproven and unestablished demand profiles, requiring a step change in local market dynamics.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

Francis Truss 
Partner
07787 282092

On behalf of Turnstone Southend Ltd, we have secured planning consent for a £50 million redevelopment leisure scheme in Southend following an appeal decision by the Secretary of State.

The development proposals comprise of a large-scale mixed-use leisure facility designed to provide a ‘state-of-the-art year-round family leisure experience’. Among others, the scheme is backed by Empire Cinemas, Hollywood Bowl, and Travelodge.

The 2.3-hectare site, currently a large surface level car park, will accommodate 155,000 sq ft of mixed-use accommodation including an 11 screen IMAX cinema, restaurant units, indoor leisure units, an 80-bed hotel, public square and a 555 space multi storey car park.

Our professionals were instrumental in securing a positive decision by the Secretary of State, aiding Turnstone Southend Ltd with the project since the early stages of the site’s identification in the Southend Central Area Action Plan. 

Despite its town centre location, there were elements of the development proposals that were highly contentious locally. However, the potential impacts of the proposals were considered and addressed in meticulous detail and our professionals, supported by a comprehensive project team, were able to argue successfully on appeal that the scheme should be allowed. As part of this process, we worked positively and proactively with the Local Planning Authority throughout a detailed pre-application stage and during detailed post submission discussions and negotiations.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

Matt Hare
Associate Partner 
07796 148843 
matt.hare@carterjonas.co.uk

Following the October 2016 and January 2018 preceding drafts, the third draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) Publication Plan is being reported to the Executive Committee of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) on 30 October 2020 for approval. 

Once approved by AGMA, and then by all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities, formal consultation on the GMSF will take place from 1 December 2020 to 26 January 2021.

A lower housing requirement of 179,100 is now proposed, although this is based on a shorter plan period than the 2016 and 2018 drafts - 17 years instead of 20. 

The release of some Green Belt land to meet development needs is acknowledged by the draft plan. However, brownfield land remains a priority.

Most of the development between 2020 and 2037 (the ‘plan period’) will be on land within urban areas, much of which is brownfield land. Within the plan period, around 88% of housing, 99% of offices and 47% of industrial and warehousing development is within urban areas.

As the third draft acknowledges at paragraph 1.47, this will entail some Green Belt release, but a reduction compared to previously. Significant reductions in Green Belt release have taken place in each successive draft, seemingly because of political pressure. 

Housing development and associated loss of Green Belt land will remain controversial and may even see the plan fail. However, we are optimistic that all ten councils will show strong support for the GMSF through to Examination in Public and adoption.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

Simon Grundy
Partner 
07917 773671
simon.grundy@carterjonas.co.uk

Do you own land with development potential in the Cotswold District?

Cotswold District Council has recently launched a further ‘Call for Sites’ exercise to identify new locations for the development of housing, commercial property and renewable energy.

This is an open invitation to landowners, developers, and community groups, who are interested in having land considered for a range of different uses, to submit specific information on sites they would like assessed. 

The deadline for submissions is Friday 13 November 2020. This may represent your opportunity to start to realise development on your land. To find out more, click here.

For further information, please contact a member of our team:

James Cordery 
Associate Partner 
07780 667005
james.cordery@carterjonas.co.uk