Maximising Site Potential: Insights from Expert Appraisers

In the competitive world of land and property development, maximising the potential of a site is paramount. Achieving this requires not just a vision but also a deep understanding of a site’s capabilities, constraints, and opportunities.

Expert site appraisers play a crucial role in this process, offering insights and strategies that can transform a piece of land into a lucrative development opportunity. In this blog, we will share key insights from our expert site appraisers at Woods Hardwick, highlighting how thorough cross-discipline appraisals can unlock a site’s full potential.

Understanding Site Appraisals

A site appraisal is a comprehensive evaluation of a piece of land to determine its suitability for development. This involves analysing various factors including location, surrounding context, including character, topography, accessibility, relevant planning policy, environmental constraints, and market conditions. The objective is to discern the most advantageous and feasible use of the land, guaranteeing that proposed development projects are not only viable but also financially rewarding.

Key Insights and Strategies for Maximising Site Potential

  1. Market Analysis

To gain a clear understanding of the potential demand for your development, it is crucial that developers undertake a comprehensive analysis of the market. Considerations such as current market trends, demographic data, and future growth projections should be assessed in advance. Following this review, our multiple disciplinary approach gives us the breath of expertise to evaluate relevant planning policies, review any development constraints and produce suitable plans and designs to outline a sites feasibility, and determine what can be achieved.

  1. Planning Policy Review

Understanding relevant planning policy guidance and requirements is crucial. Our site appraisers utilise their local knowledge and expertise to review relevant local plan policies and supplementary planning guidance, including design codes and design guides, parking and amenity standards, ensuring proposed projects comply and adhere to the latest, up to date regulations, and identify any potential hurdles that could impact development. Engaging with local planning authorities early in the process is key to understanding the specific requirements of individual Councils and to inform the planning strategy for the site.

  1. Comprehensive Site Analysis

A thorough site analysis considers physical characteristics such as soil quality and characteristics to assess suitability for infiltration, site topography with an evaluation for highway gradients and retaining walls, drainage strategies to assess outfalls in accordance with the building regs hierarchy, attenuation types and size in accordance with Ciria guidelines, and existing landscaping, including important trees. It also evaluates infrastructure availability, including utilities, transportation links, and proximity to amenities. Utilising advanced surveying techniques and geographic information systems (GIS) our site appraisers are well equipped to gather precise data about the site’s physical attributes and infrastructure capabilities.

  1. Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

Environmental constraints such as flood zone, protected habitats, and contamination must also be carefully assessed. Additionally, sustainable development practices can enhance a site’s value and appeal; incorporating sustainable design principles, will also contribute to the enhancement of a site’s attractiveness and compliance.

  1. Financial Feasibility Support

We understand that determining the financial viability of a development will be essential to help guide decision-making and attract investors. Supporting our clients throughout this process, we are able to provide detailed plans and designs that help establish expected costs, whilst also advising on potential infrastructure requirements and s106 obligations. With the expertise of the Wood Hardwick multi-disciplinary team, our clients benefit from tailored support to ensure a clear understanding of financial commitments, enhancing the project’s overall success.

  1. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Engaging with the local community and stakeholders is vital for gaining support and minimising opposition from residents and businesses. Our sound understanding of local concerns and preferences also help tailor the way a development proposal is explained to the local planning authority and the local community to reduce the risks of a planning refusal. Having organised a wide range of community consultations and stakeholder meetings across the UK we are well experienced with gathering input and building support for the project.

 

If you’re looking to maximise the potential of your site, consider partnering with Woods Hardwick. Our team of expert appraisers are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, ensuring that your development project is both viable and successful. Contact our team to talk through your next project.