Posted on December 23, 2013

AspinallVerdi Hambleton Successes

AspinallVerdi has won two major commissions in the district of Hambleton, North Yorkshire.

AspinallVerdi has been appointed to provide professional support to advise on planning policy for affordable housing, including viability studies to inform the partial review of the Hambleton Local Development Framework.  The existing affordable housing policy came into effect in April 2007 and requires threshold and targets of 2-15 dwellings and 40-50% affordable housing with varying degrees of success.  AspinallVerdi has been appointed to update the economic viability appraisals in the context of the current Plan policies including the emerging CIL (community infrastructure levy). The key objective is to ensure realistic and pragmatic planning policies are put in place to deliver housing development in all areas of the District.  The study will ensure development is economically viable, but capable of achieving realistic levels of affordable housing together with any other necessary infrastructure/developer contributions.

On the same day ApinallVerdi was also appointed alongside IBI Taylor Young to prepare a masterplan for Central Northallerton.  Announcements of the closure of the Rural Payments Agency and Northallerton Prison have dealt a significant blow to the local economy.  The Central Northallerton Masterplan will look at the spatial implications of the closures, which make two significant town centre sites available, and to realise the full regeneration and economic potential of the area.  It will help to realise the opportunity afforded by these sites becoming available and maximise the benefit from their redevelopment for the local economy and Northallerton High Street.  AspinallVerdi will be providing market and options analysis to inform the masterplan and recommend a delivery mechanism for the development proposals.