This involves the financial viability assessment of Local Plans and or Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedules.
AspinallVerdi is the market leader in this sector. The work involves: reviewing the Local Plan policies; market values research; benchmark land value research; establishing scheme and site typologies; deeper dives on strategic site due diligence; financial appraisal; reporting; and appearing as expert witness for the Examination in Public (EIP). We usually have a portfolio of these projects for clients such as Birmingham City Council, Dudley Council, Wirral DC, Horsham etc. This often leads to follow-on work on site specific viability.
This involves the appraisal of development schemes for either a Local Planning Authority of for developers.
These are usually residential developments, but could also be heritage schemes and or regeneration. The work usually entails: site / scheme information gathering; market value and costs research; appraisal and sensitivity analysis; reporting and commercial negotiations. It could also lead to expert witness and Appeal work. For example, Salt Cross Garden Community Area Action Plan Viability for West Oxfordshire DC. We are also on a number of viability frameworks, for example, Central Bedfordshire Council, Hertsmere BC, Welwyn & Hatfield Council, St Albans DC, Rugby BC, Bradford Council and Watford BC.
AspinallVerdi is often retained as part of multi-disciplinary teams to prepare masterplans. These can often be for residential sites and also in urban locations including Town Centres.
This work involves: baseline analysis of the property market; identifying the opportunities and constraints; development appraisal of concept schemes; stakeholder engagement and advocacy for change. It can lead to implementation where we assemble sites; prepare business cases; and advise on public-private partnerships. Recent projects include Wakefield Town Investment Plan, Carlisle Station Masterplan, Smethwick to Birmingham Regeneration Corridor, Bracknell Town Centre, Wednesbury Town Centre, Peterborough City Centre Sites Study and Clapham Junction Masterplan.
We work for both scheme promoters (developers) and the public sector to prepare and review business cases for capital development.
This involves working with new and changing funding regimes. For example, we have prepared business cases for Brownfield Housing Funding (BHF) and Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) fund. We have carried out due diligence on Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) and various heritage funding programmes for National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
We are often involved in management consultancy projects to assist in decision making. For instance, the firm has prepared option studies in respect of the reuse of heritage assets.
This can include Optimal Viable Use and Enabling Development. This involves working with a range of consultancies to formulate and test options. This can include architects, engineers and cost consultants. The AspinallVerdi role is to provide the property market, financial development appraisals and delivery advice. Recent projects include the Optimum Viable Use for the Former Education Department Offices and Former Art College (both Grade II listed) at Eleanor Street Grimsby, and the Heritage Asset Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study for innovative repurposing of the Grade I St Mary’s Guildhall Lincoln.
AspinallVerdi are often appointed alongside co-consultants to prepare evidence base to support local plan policies.
The studies include both retail and leisure (town centres) as well as employment sites analysis. The studies involve undertaking a review of the local property market, stakeholder engagement and advising on the potential for sites. We are currently advising Thurrock on their employment sites analysis, which requires a review of the commercial property market and c.130 sites to be assessed. For Bassetlaw DC, we recently undertook a retail study and advised on the future potential of their 3 key town centres; Worksop, Retford and Bircotes.
This cuts across all our work streams. AspinallVerdi is expert in complex development appraisal and financial modelling.
This involves creating bespoke financial cashflows. Major projects involve master developer models for 10,000 units New Settlements; urban regeneration feasibility studies for grant funding; conservation deficit calculations for heritage optimal viable use and enabling development.
We provide a full range of professional development and planning services across a range of sectors including: residential, commercial, retail, leisure, mixed-use and heritage projects.
Private Developers & House-builders • Landowners • Local Authorities • Combined Authorities • Homes England & Registered Providers
On behalf of Amber Valley, I would like to express grateful thanks to you all, for your hard work and expertise throughout the process and ensuring that we compiled a robust application, providing us with the best possible business case to secure funding for the town.
You have all been very professional and worked with our sometimes challenging set of Consultees and not least myself to provide a timely service and keep the project moving. I know that the changes to the extended project timeline and supplementary requirement to respond to the Covid situation has been protracted and I appreciate you sticking with us and maintaining your service and good humour throughout. Please pass on my thanks to your teams.
Joanne Bamford
Growth & Town Centres Manager
Amber Valley
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council has employed the services of Aspinall Verdi, as lead contractor on two significant contracts that will form part of this evidence base. Specifically, these were a detailed housing market review of Birkenhead and a Whole Plan Viability Review.
All of this work has been to a very high standard, with excellent quality work. I have found the company to be excellent in the execution of all aspects of their contracts.
Aspinall Verdi provided us with information and advice that was at an appropriate level of detail to not only meet the requirement of a planning inquiry, but was also commercially realistic.
I have no hesitation in commending Aspinall Verdi as an Outstanding Small Practice of Chartered Surveyors.
Keith Keeley
Head of Regeneration Strategy
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Aspinall Verdi has provided for us a range of property market, viability and delivery related advice on a succession of our development projects. All this work has been to a very high standard, carefully considered with excellent quality work.
I have found the company to be excellent and exceptionally diligent in the execution of all aspects of their work with us. The Aspinall Verdi staff, with whom I have worked, are extremely thorough, diligent and professional and have tailored their work to the needs of ourselves the client.
The advice provided is also mindful of the evolving sustainability agenda and the social impact of planning and regeneration policy. I have no hesitation in commending Aspinall Verdi as an Outstanding Planning and Development Consultancy.
Mark Kitts
Managing Director
Tawd Valley Developments
Tamworth Borough Council have employed the services of Aspinall Verdi, as lead contractor on two significant contracts over the past 3 years. Specifically these were a viability focused Masterplan on a large Town Centre regeneration site and the completion of a HM Treasury Green Book Compliant business case, for the Future High Street Streets Fund.
In my experience and that of my team I have found Aspinall Verdi to be excellent in the execution of all aspects of their contracts. The output delivered in both of our specific cases was carried out to the highest standard and quality. Aspinall Verdi also provided us with information and advice that was relevant, realistic and commercial and both contracts focused on what was actually deliverable and achievable under the market conditions.
Matt Fletcher
Head of Economic Development and Regeneration
Tamworth Borough Council
Working with Aspinall Verdi provided a good service and high quality technical data. Written material from Aspinall Verdi was good, with a number of addendums of the main assessment required to satisfy the Council as client and the local plan examination inspector in short time.
The Craven Local Plan was adopted in November 2019 and Aspinall Verdi has recently assisted the Council by providing important text on viability and procedures for the consultation draft supplementary planning document on affordable housing. I also oversaw this work.
In conclusion, I have no hesitation in recommending Aspinall Verdi, as a reliable, conscientious and ‘fit for purpose’ consultancy to provide a very good product on local plan viability assessment and related matters.
David Sykes
Planning Officer
Craven District Council
Working with Aspinall Verdi has been a transformative experience. Their true expertise in site development management coupled with a deep understanding of the local market, made a significant difference in our project. From the initial consultation, then acting as site agent all through to the final execution, their attention to detail, innovative solutions and collaborative support were evident in every step of the way.
They not only helped us maximise the potential of our site but also ensured that the project aligned with our vision. We would highly recommend Aspinall Verdi to anyone seeking a sound professional approach, stakeholder engagement and timely delivery from start to finish on any property planning or development type.
James Bolton
Langho Resale
AspinallVerdi played a pivotal role in this commission, providing a Red Book valuation for our purpose-built schemes, which comprise a mix of cluster rooms with shared communal facilities and self-contained units of varying sizes. Their analysis considered the legal position of each scheme and assessed the impact of various investment scenarios on asset values. In addition, detailed marketing advice was provided, enabling us to make informed decisions that align with our strategic objectives.
AspinallVerdi showed professionalism, the ability to work collaboratively, and delivered to a high standard. The team was approachable, thorough, and highly knowledgeable throughout the process.
I would not hesitate to use AspinallVerdi services again or recommend them for any Red Book valuation, particularly those involving Strategic Asset Management Support.
