Specialist services

We offer a range of specialist services, drawing on the expertise of associates who have developed particular expertise in their subjects.

Green Belt assessment 

Any suggestion of change to the Green Belt is likely to be met with a lot of concern among elected members and local communities.  So it is essential that the evidence is strong.  We have extensive experience of guiding authorities to ensure that they follow sound practice.  We can -

  •  advise on how to go about an assessment yourself, through a day’s training
  • act as a critical friend to help you to be an effective client for consultants who will carry out the assessment
  •  provide an appraisal of the robustness of a draft assessment before it is published 

Where a neighbouring authority has carried out an assessment, we can assist by providing a critique of the methodology and practice. 

 

Securing good design

The emphais now given to good design by Ministers and in Government policy is welcome, but it  won't happen on its own.  Planning authorities need to build effective approaches to design into the way they develop well-framed design policies in their local plans, amd prepare supplementary guidance.  They also need to re-think how they work with developers, to make design a key aspect of pre-applicaton discussions and negotiation; including working successfully with urban designers.  We offer training on how to go about becoming an effective promoter of good design.

The challenges are particularly demanding when it comes to large urban extensions and new settlements, where the issues of infrastructure and delivery can threaten to push out consideration of good urban design and liveable environments.  We can help you sustain your commitment to creating good places, through expert support to help you meld together clarity of vision, suitable treatment of design in masterplans and other frameworks, and effective carry through into negotiations on applications.

 

Planning for affordable housing and viability

We offer specialist knowledge of the affordable housing and development viability, developed through working closely with the Department and a wide range of local authorities.

The delivery of affordable housing through S106 agreements accounts for a significant proportion of overall new affordable homes across the country, and yet viability testing at plan and application stage remains a complex part of the process.   

Our associates have significant experience of policy making, securing affordable housing and overseeing viability testing at plan and application stage. 

We can help you in developing policies and processes that maximise affordable housing provision to address housing need and other public benefits whilst supporting overall housing delivery.

Advisory Support

Drawing on the experience of working with a range of authorities, we can help you in setting the right approach to planning for affordable housing and viability, including -

  • developing policies and guidance that are suitable your local circumstances
  • support for negotiating affordable housing, S106 obligations and viability review mechanisms
  • engaging consultants and clienting for local plan and application stage viability testing
  • justifying policies and viability at examination
  • developing effective policies in spatial development strategies and the use of strategic planning powers
  • developer contributions policies to support housing and infrastructure delivery in new towns and large settlements
  • the use of public subsidy and public land to support affordable housing and overall housing delivery.

We can also undertake end to end reviews and act as a critical friend for affordable housing and infrastructure policies and practices to help authorities to secure developer contributions that provide public benefit and support delivery. 

 

Other services 

We can provide support in a range of specialist areas allied to plan making and development.  Examples are an associate acting as an independent advisor in interviews for senior officer posts; and confidential services to an authority to advise whether there could have been undue influence. 

 

 

For enquiries about any of our services, please contact Andrew Wright, General Manager at andrewwright@posenterprises.co.uk or call 0845 6019 067.

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