Our Team
Ben Aspinall
Ben Aspinall
Managing Director
BSc(Hons) Land Man, MRICS MRTPI
Ben has over 25 years’ experience in planning, development and funding of major residential and commercial projects throughout the UK. He is a Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Town Planner, specialising in property investment and finance. Ben is also an RICS Registered Valuer enabling him to provide formal “Red Book” valuations and is an RICS ACRETM Accredited Mediator.
Ben has a broad range of professional experience across planning, development and regeneration. He has extensive experience in financial modelling, feasibility studies, options appraisal, business plan preparation, developer selection, procurement and delivery. He is retained by Heritage Lottery Fund and has been on various public sector appraisal panels negotiating grants and advising on state aid and interventions. Ben has also acted for project sponsors to secure funding for some major regeneration and infrastructure projects.
Ben also provides commercial planning advice on economic viability, S106 negotiations, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), affordable housing / Private Rented Sector, and strategic land / infrastructure. He acts for both private developers and Local Authorities at a policy and site specific level and has given evidence at Planning Appeals and Examinations in Public.
Ben has acted as consultant to some of the largest regeneration and development projects in England including: Leeds South Bank; West Oxfordshire Garden Village; 3 St Paul’s Place, Heart of the City, Sheffield; Newcastle Western Extension, Keele; and Doncaster Interchange.
Ben is a non-Executive Director of Connect Housing Association; a Steering Group Member of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce Property Forum; and a Trustee of Leeds Civic Trust. Ben is a passionate contributor to national, regional and local policy debates and has been a speaker at RTPI events and is on the RTPI England Policy Panel.
Favourite Regeneration Project
Trinity Quarter Leeds – This development by Land Securities has been carefully woven into the fabric of the city. The scheme took many years to assemble from the old Bond Street shopping centre and Trinity Street arcade. However, the new Trinity Quarter layout and levels enables a helix of shopping routes through the centre and neighbouring pedestrian streets which is fantastic addition to Leeds. The boutique cinema and roof top bars and restaurants are great too!
