Strategic Advice

The valuable strategic advice offered by JK Property Consultants LLP is based on a thorough knowledge of the property market and the sectors within that market, which when combined with good quality research leads to the development of innovative new ideas.

To achieve a step change requires the creation of opportunities that are achievable, realistic and deliverable. To ensure plans are effective, we find the essential link between leadership in the public sector and the demands of the private sector. To achieve success, we set up delivery channels, such as Joint Ventures or Special Purpose Vehicles.

At JK Property Consultants LLP we know this is a tried and tested process. It has already worked for many development and investment projects across a wide range of sectors; retail, industrial, office, leisure, hotels and residential, as well as mixed-use schemes.

Achieving successful regeneration schemes

Creating a step change in the physical and economic fortunes of an area requires an opportunistic approach – to ‘look outside the box’. However, the eventual solution must also fit with adjoining and surrounding areas so a vital balance must therefore be struck. With this in mind, good strategic advice can be arrived at through a combination of the following services – all of which are offered by JK Property Consultants LLP:-

Baseline Study: Demographic, economic or social data will provide a detailed description of an area, establish why it needs regeneration, benchmark how achievements can be judged and provide a start for a strategic solution.

Bidding Support: Application of the Baseline Study to the needs of the organisation, financial limitations and the capacity to manage the bid.

Briefs for Consultancy Services: Assistance in the appointment of a consultant by writing specific briefs for cost effective appointments.

Development Finance: Assistance in the attraction of private investors to marry private cash to public funds, by procurement and negotiation arising out of a good understanding of public funding streams and what the private sector look for in risk opportunities.

Presentation: Assistance in the promotion of the strategy and opportunity to attract partners.

Feasibility Study: Following the Baseline Study and formulation of the objectives, preparing a Feasibility Study will tell us if the proposed plans can be carried out and which will be most effective. Amongst many issues, we look at value for money, risks in delivery and planning implications before recommending any changes to make a scheme deliverable.

Project Design: Developing the best method of achieving the objectives by developing business plans, site appraisals, service delivery, marketing strategies and financial projections.

Project Appraisal and Evaluation: Analysing the outcome of a scheme by assessing the anticipated financial and economic outputs, involves ongoing appraisal to ensure improvements to the plan can be made along the way.

Project Management: We can run the day-to-day business of a small scheme project or advise on the appointment of specialists when necessary.

Achieving successful economic development

There are a number of steps essential:-

Creative Consultancy: Here we suggest ways to improve and implement an area’s creative development. This will involve mediating between politicians, interest groups, funders and others to find solutions.

Economic Appraisal: We aim to identify the intervention necessary at the least cost to the public sector, identify new markets, assess the potential benefits of the strategy for the local economy by looking at demand for services, technical feasibility, cost-benefits, risk factors, and sensitivity to assumptions.

Economic Regeneration Strategies: Based on a focused, realistic appraisal of an area’s economic health, this forms the basis of structured argument for the most effective way to improve the area.

Retail Studies: Collation of data about retailers’ perceptions, priorities and plans and identification of the factors that influence retailing decisions such as infrastructure, competition, leisure facilities and urban design.

Sectoral Study: This is the profile of property sectors within an area and what influences are needed to achieve a change in the economic performance or competitiveness of an area.

Physical regeneration of an area

JK Property Consulting LLP is likely to have more and in most cases, vastly more experience of compulsory purchase and compensation work in the North East than any other chartered surveying firm. Steps that are required to achieve physical regeneration could include:-

Land Assembly and Compulsory Purchase Orders: We are can identify the legal interests to be acquired, open private treaty negotiations to acquire, preparing draft Orders, negotiate away objections, give evidence at public enquiry, prepare and serve notices, secure possession, negotiate relocation/termination of businesses affected and amount of compensation, make referrals to the Lands Tribunal and present evidence.

Development Agreements: We can provide services on everything from simple schemes through to large, complex mixed-use schemes.

Development Appraisals and Demand Studies: Here we assess the development potential of a site and its commercial viability. The consultancy has experience in a wide range of projects, from single, stand-alone developments to complex mixed-use schemes, through to a collection of developments of different uses from residential, employment, to retail and leisure. This includes dealing with public sector funding, PFI schemes, PPPs and joint venture models.

Development Framework and Master Plan: Analysis of an area’s future challenges, for example anticipated economy, attraction of inward investment and place within the wider economic and geographic location. A Master Plan provides a deliverable investment strategy for regeneration funding and inward investment. For large areas and longer-term goals, a Framework of a flexible strategy to respond to changing circumstances will co-ordinate transport, constraints and implementation of strategy, including the search for and appointment of a lead architect.

Environmental Impact Assessment: We will arrange feasibility studies, compare alternative options and carry out detailed site analysis to prepare an environmental statement.

Economic Impact Assessment: We have carried out these assessments, the most recent for a luxury hotel/conference centre, holiday park, championship golf course and residential development to support a major planning application.

Financial Appraisal: This will assess if a project is viable, by assessing risk, carrying out sensitivity analysis, calculating any shortfall in completed development compared to total development costs and assisting in the negotiation of joint venture and partnership/sharing arrangements.

Development Feasibility Study: This can range from identifying the opportunity, the availability of land, planning, market opportunity, assessment of acquisition, development at Master plan and working with the construction teams, through to disposals, finance and funding.

Public Realm Strategy. We can assist in the compilation of a strategy and its effect upon demand and value.

Sequential Testing – Evaluation of a town centre and outlying districts will offer an independent opinion on the most viable, competitive and available sites.

Special Purpose Vehicles: We can advise a local authority or partner on the best development vehicle to carry out the regeneration or property project, ensuring robust estimates of risk levels, anticipated returns and required investment to meet the requirements of the stakeholders, and the appropriate structures to meet public sector funding grant and procurement rules.

Town Centre Strategy: We can help in the understanding of a town’s place in the wider economy. Identify its economic and social problems and develop a strategy for dealing with those problems, maximising its potential. This requires a multi-disciplined team to consider a wide range of issues, including historical, design, public realm, transport, anticipated economic changes and the formulation of a plan for new economic and physical development. It will include the elements of new or reused buildings, residential and cultural issues, transport links and capacity, and strategy for delivery.

Urban Design and Development Briefs: This is not about individual architectural design of a building but the vision for an area and how it can be brought to reality through to development frameworks and briefs, design guides and site layouts.

Media

Kevan Carrick writes a weekly column in The Journal, the highly successful morning regional newspaper and is often quoted in other newspapers, periodicals, and on radio and television.

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New Bridge

JK Property Consultants assisted Sunderland City Council in making the application for Department of Transport approval to fund the Wear River crossing

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Northern Way discussion

Kevan Carrick joined The Northern Way in a discussion at the House of Commons...