Developer News, September 2011

Hello

Welcome to our new Developer News blog. I work as an Investment Executive at Regenerate and will be updating you regularly on some of the latest developments in Pennine Lancashire.

We hope you find this update useful. Please contact myself with any feedback.

Kind regards,
Chris Standish
Investment Executive

New Developments

It’s an interesting time for development and regeneration at the moment. In some ways the market is sluggish – my discussions with some architects, cost consultants and agents seem to echo this. However there have some outstanding deals done, a flurry of completions and number of key projects lined up for planning.  

Burnley Borough Council recently announced a raft of new development proposals that are well on their way to market.  These include the Education and Enterprise Park, Weavers Triangle and the town centre redevelopment. 

The £60m Blackburn Mall and market was formally opened for business.  The new market is in my view incomparable to any outside of London- genuinely world class. 

Lobb Lane Mill in Brierfield is very close to completion. Developed by PEARL2, a joint venture between Barnfield and Pendle Borough Council, this is a stunning development on a very difficult site.

Meanwhile our consultants are working closely with planners in Hyndburn to bring forward a major new development at Junction 7 and Blackburn’s Thwaites brewery are working with our land and property service to find a prominent site that will accommodate their relocation from the centre of town.

So things are definitely moving. Lets all work together to keep up the momentum.

Regenerate Planning Services

We are hosting a Breakfast Briefing on the controversial National Planning Policy Framework draft (NPPF) in October.  The NPPF document outlines how the Government intends to simplify the planning process.

At the core of the NPPF is the principle that sustainable development proposals should be granted consent, unless there are very good reasons for not doing so. This presumption in favour of development has led to a raging media debate between those generally in support of the changes and those who are concerned.  Broadly the property industry is in favour and it looks like the Government will not back down on the main principles.

Due to our unique knowledge of the public and private sectors, Regenerate are able to save applicants time and expense in securing planning consents. We are also providing planning policy advice to a number of local Councils in order to unlock development potential.

We are preparing a number of planning applications that should release value to our clients. We hope the three sites (two in the Ribble Valley and one in Blackburn with Darwen) will bring investment and jobs to Pennine Lancashire.

In addition, we are working with a number of private and public sector clients to directly inform planning policy. This will de-risk applications when they are submitted, saving both time and cost. The work involves major area based redevelopment, critical flooding and highways issues and conservation and heritage assessments.

The Planning Services at Regenerate are led by myself, Chris Standish (MRTPI MA (Hons)), and our Managing Director, Steve Hoyle (MRTPI, MA, Dip. TP). Together, we have over 40 years experience of successfully securing planning consents and informing planning policy. We have good knowledge of the development industry and are ideally placed to advise on all planning related matters. For further information contact us via our freephone on 0800 612 2029 or email me via Chris.Standish@regeneratepl.co.uk  

Burnley Bondholders Hit the City

Steve Szostak, our Head of Investment, attended the recent Burney Bondholder breakfast briefing in central Manchester. Apart from a good turn-out and an excellent exercise in promoting investment in Burnley, Steve came back with a very clear message. We need to keep the pressure on Manchester based regional operators, helping them to recognise the benefits of investing in Pennine Lancashire.

Sustainability and Procurement update

Our sustainability and procurement expert David Kemp is in great demand. Locally, Blackburn with Darwen College have taken him on as the College’s Employer Advisor for their Sustainable Construction courses. He’s also recently completed a commission from a private sector consultancy, to help them develop a business model for social enterprise companies wishing to exploit renewable energy initiatives such as Feed In Tariffs.

Regionally, a 12 month retainer sees him contracted out to a procurement consortium representing the regions Registered Providers (RP) to lead on and develop their new Retrofit Brokerage Service, helping them to maximise the benefits from the retrofit agenda. A successful Sustainable Procurement training session for the regions construction contractors, highlighting the benefits and opportunities open to them from adopting RP, will be followed up by a session for the region’s manufacturing companies in Autumn. Drop David a line if you think he can be of assistance to you via 0800 612 2029 or email David.Kemp@regeneratepl.co.uk

Turton Tower project

The Trust Committee for Turton Tower, Chapeltown, have recently retained our services.

They want us to work with them to explore options for future investment and development.  This is a very important listed site and scheduled ancient monument that Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the Commissioners are keen to invest in. Our work follows on from the recently completed Conservation Management Plan. For further information on this project, please contact us via 0800 612 2029 (ask for Steve Szostak).

Research and Demand studies are underway

Hurstwood Holdings have brought us in to try to identify new opportunities for investment at Rawtenstall Business Village and two key sites in Blackburn Town Centre.

Hurstwood are keen to maximise the value of some of their portfolio of buildings and office space in Pennine Lancashire.  In addition to producing a series of demand reports we will be trying to identify where possible potential new tenants and new uses via discussions with our colleagues in the local planning departments. Hurstwood offer excellent opportunities for companies looking for characterful new premises. Visit their website at www.hurstwoodholdings.com or contact me for further details.