2 minute read
Whilst other blogs present and discuss a particular topic area, I thought it would be interesting to talk about my role in Sigma Strategic Land (SSL) as a Senior Strategic Planning Manager. In this way, readers will gain valuable insight into our business and what in-house planning can achieve for an SME developer such as SSL.
I joined SSL in January 2020 with the aim of helping to grow the strategic land business. SSL is a separate part of Sigma Homes, a quality housebuilder and developer based in Horsham, West Sussex.
SSL was specifically set up to look at strategic land promotion and maximise these development opportunities. Strategic land promotion generally relates to longer timescales, a larger size site and sometimes provides community benefits, infrastructure or other elements that a smaller site could not expect to achieve. Consequently, there is a degree of ‘crystal ball gazing’ based on a wider awareness of what is being delivered in the local area and Local Plan promotion timescales. It is always commercially informed. SSL can also look at sites situated farther away from Horsham than immediate land opportunities which are typically within an hours’ drive away, as a rule of thumb.
Sigma Strategic Land, land opportunities and requirements
At SSL, we focus strategic land opportunities primarily upon:-
- The delivery of planning consents on both greenfield and brownfield sites, across sites exceeding 1ha in size and across the full range of timescales.
- We are adept at working with landowners on a personable level in order to maximise land value for residential or mixed-use development.
- We are open to work in partnership and Joint Ventures with larger scale residential, mixed use and regeneration opportunities.
At SSL, land promotion is either through an Option or Promotion Agreement and our strategic land requirements are as follows:-
- Sustainable locations in or on the edge of settlements, commonly with a good number of shops/services;
- The potential to accommodate between 15 – 200 dwellings;
- Land areas of between circa 1 – 6 hectares (2.5 - 15 acres);
- SSL are also interested in mixed use schemes, as well as regeneration opportunities which can be delivered through partnerships and Joint Ventures. SSL does not discount sites purely on the basis of AONB, Green Belt or sites in existing recreational use;
- An expectation for a minimum GDV of £7m+ and minimum average sale revenue of £350 per square metre +.
Snapshot of my role as Senior Planner
In my day-to-day role, I advise on a whole range of planning matters relating to a range of sites that accord with the above parameters, including evaluating their chances of success and helping with land acquisition. For those sites we have already acquired, I lead and co-ordinate consultant teams in the submission of planning applications or help with site promotion through the Local Plan process.
Being able to provide in-house planning advice leads to a very responsive system. It means that same day decisions can be undertaken and this expedites every aspect of site acquisition and delivery. When this is combined with SSL having a simple sign-off procedure on sites without unnecessary delays, we are extremely well placed to move quickly.
I am part of and assist a growing land team headed up by Chris East who is Group Land Director. This is certainly a very exciting time for SSL and our wider business at Sigma Homes. Chris will be talking about his vision for SSL in a future blog.
For an SME developer, having this planning advice can help advance relationships with landowners by being on hand to answer any questions and queries about the planning process. I also become a constant feature across projects and this means consistency of decision-making for the business. It can also enable more effective systems-thinking and offering planning advice that is attuned to the aims and direction of the business. It short, it helps create resilience.
Prior to SSL, I have worked for Local Government, Planning Consultancy and for another strategic land developer. I am a Chartered Town Planner who also has an environmental qualification (PIEMA) and this means we have the ability to also review and prepare Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) as a business. This provides SSL with the ability to undertake the necessary Screening Opinions for its larger sites and work with consultant teams to deliver any Scoping or Environmental Statements that are required to follow.
When assessing a site, it is important to understand how planning constraints can translate into loss of developable area and the impact these may have on scheme viability. The in-house planning role also requires political awareness about where sites are more likely to be acceptable and how best to engage with local communities and key stakeholders. There is also the requirement to assess CIL, s106 obligations and helps deliver the consent on time.
It is also important to stay on top of the latest planning legislation, as well as the policy positions of each Local Planning Authority of interest. This exercise often opens up the identification of land opportunities in certain Authorities which is so important when it comes to signing up land and retaining the commercial advantage.
Planning Strategies
Devising an appropriate planning strategy is key in strategic planning and one that is integral for landowners and their agents to understand. Here at SSL, we assist landowners by providing a clear roadmap of promotional opportunities and how best these can be approached going forward. SSL always looks to maximise the value of a site and sets about undertaking site promotion in the most effective way.
Planning legislation is changing at pace. Given the raft of changes both in recent past, present and future including the standard methodology for assessing housing need, the Planning for the Future White Paper and Planning Reform package, biodiversity net gain and the forthcoming Environment Bill, it is certainly a case of needing to stay up-to-date.
Here at SSL we seek to achieve this and work with planning consultants and their specialist teams in order to obtain a planning consent in the shortest possible time. A project team can be quite varied including surveyors, landscape architects, drainage engineers through to community engagement consultants and floodlighting specialists!
Given the constantly changing planning landscape and the land opportunities arising, consultant teams are crucial to our success as ‘more heads are better than one’. SSL looks forward to continuing its partnerships with those already helping us along on our exciting journey, and to the future connections wherever these might lead.
I hope you have enjoyed this insight into SSL and the life of an inhouse Planner. If you have a site that you think has good strategic potential, please contact me at damians@sigmahomesgroup.co.uk to begin discussions.
Please look out for our next upcoming blog and thank you for your time.
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