capability statement

Town PlanningOur capabilities

ContentsDelivering development through positive planning 04

DTZ’s Planning Service 05

DTZ’s Planning Service in Practice 06

The Team and Contact 17

2 DTZ | Town Planning

town planning [for growth]

“...sustainable development is about positive growth – making economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations. The planning system is about helping to make this happen.”

(National Planning Policy Framework, 2012)

DTZ’s philosophy is simple:

Our experience covers all major property sectors including residential, commercial, industrial, health, retail, education, and heritage; all delivered by a dynamic and experienced specialist team represented across regions, allowing us to provide comprehensive service coverage throughout the UK.

Working as part of DTZ’s development consultancy, we work alongside commercial agency, land and property experts across the 17 UK offices. We have the capability to provide comprehensive, robust and commercially grounded advice, as well as strategic planning and development input and advice, all of which is focused on securing ‘added value’ for our clients.

As part of a multi-disciplinary property services business, we are positioned at the front end of the development process, providing maximum opportunity to enhance development potential and facilitate growth through positive use of the town planning system.

This enables us to stimulate and optimise value for our clients across their landholdings and property interests.

DTZ have a real understanding of how the client works, especially operationally and therefore what is important to the smooth running of the business. Balanced commercial approach versus practical on site solution to problems.

Tony Haines, Estate Manager East, Royal Mail

3DTZ | Town Planning

DELIVERABLE ALLOCATIONS AND CONSENTS

Demonstrating deliverability through the plan making and decision making process.

POSITIVELY COMMUNICATING BENEFITS

Positively communicating the process behind, and benefits of, development and economic growth, particularly at the neighbourhood level.

UNDERSTANDING LAND ECONOMICS AND DEMONSTRATING VIABILITY

Development specific and area wide viability taking into account development costs, land value, and competitive returns to a developer and landowner.

MANAGING AND MITIGATING RISK

Mediation and management of stakeholder aspirations, tensions and conflicts so that inherent and associated development risks are effectively managed through the whole planning process.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE AND OBJECTIVELY IDENTIFIED DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Robust and comprehensive market sector analysis that reveals the objectively identified development needs of a locality, particularly recognising the importance of ‘functional economic areas’.

SIMPLE, ACCESSIBLE, EFFICIENT

Making the process of planning simpler, more accessible and more efficient so that development can be brought forward immediately.

Essential planning ‘ingredients’ that combine to deliver development and long term sustainable growth.

Planning has a key role to play in assisting the UK in delivering long term sustainable growth through development. It will do this by proactively driving and supporting development through positive and creative land and property solutions that incorporate and apply the following key ‘planning ingredients’

We use the full range of these pro-growth ‘planning ingredients’ in our day to day work to secure positive and value added planning and development solutions for our clients.


Delivering development through positive planning


DTZ’s Planning Services

Our core town planning service streams across all property and business sectors:

• Preparation, coordination and management of deliverable planing permissions, including permission for demolition within Conservation Areas

• Efficient discharge of planning conditionsPLANNING APPLICATIONS

RETAIL PLANNING

• Town centre/retail research and health checks• Capacity assessments• Sequential and impact assessments• Town centre strategies

DEVELOPMENT VIABILITY

• Area wide and development specific CIL advice and evidence• Robust viability assessments and development appraisals • CIL/planning viability expert witness evidence at Examinations in Public

HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION ADVICE

• Advice on enabling development• Statements of significance• Listed building consents and advice

COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Mediation and management of political, community and stakeholder aspirations, tensions and conflicts through traditional and social media approaches

LAND PROMOTION/STRATEGIC PLANING

• Increasing the development potential of land and buildings • Protecting development interests • Reducing planning uncertainty through representations, and topic papers• Appearance as planning expert witness at Examinations in Public

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT AND PRIOR APPROVAL

• Advice, guidance and action in bringing development successfully forward within the need for a formal planning application

PLANNING APPRAISALS/STRATEGIES

• Strategic development and regeneration visions• Option appraisal assessments • Framework documents/strategies

EXPERT WITNESS, APPEALS, LITIGATION AND CPO

• Statement of case• Topic papers• Proof of evidence • Expert witness advice

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

• Managing and coordinating a full technical consultant team to screen, scope and prepare Environmental Statements

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“DTZ achieves planning permission across all sectors to facilitate development and enhance asset and operational value for our clients”

GREEN BELT REMOVAL AND OUTLINE PERMISSION FOR 4 MILLION SQ FT EMPLOYMENTCutacre, BoltonHarworth EstatesOutline planning permission achieved for 4m sq ft employment development over 100ha site and associated 225ha country park inside the 16 week target, including coordination of environmental impact assessment, stakeholder engagement and negotiation with three planning authorities.

SUSTAINABLE URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODIcknield Port Loop, BirminghamHomes & Communities Agency, Canal & River Trust, Birmingham City CouncilPlanning permission for 1,150 new family homes alongside new community, open space and waterway uses, retail, leisure and employment floorspace on a former industrial land set around canal waterway.

NEW UNIVERSITY CAMPUSRose Bowl, City Campus, LeedsLeeds Beckett UniversityPlanning permission and conservation area consent for mixed use city centre development comprising a university campus building with a mix of shops, offices, apartments and hotel. DTZ prepared and coordinated the planning application, provided development advice and led negotiation with the planning authority.

GRADE II PUBLIC BATH RESTORATIONIronmonger Row Baths, LondonLondon Borough of IslingtonPlanning permission and listed building consent was achieved through negotiation with planning/conservation officers and English Heritage for comprehensive restoration of the Grade II listed public baths. This included restoration of a number of original features within a tight timeframe and cost budget.


Planning permission and listed building consents

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NATIONAL PLANNING ADVISOR – DELIVERING FREE SCHOOLSEducation Funding AgencyDTZ is one of two national planning advisors to the EFA to provide planning input into the sourcing and acquisition of sites and to secure planning permission for new school property. Our work involves undertaking planning appraisals, developing strategies for securing planning permission, and preparing and managing the submission and negotiation of the planning permissions themselves.

STEM COLLEGE BUILDINGScience, Engineering, Technology and Maths facilityPreston’s CollegeAchieved full planning permission for a new Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths (STEM) building and associated campus development at Preston’s College. Outline Residential Planning Permission for Portfolio of Council Assets


I am very pleased with DTZ’s project management, professional skills and most importantly, the ability to

come up with viable solutions to deliver projects on time and within budget. This is precisely why I want DTZ to

help me with other major planning projects this year.Stuart Ashton, Planning and Development Manager, Harworth Estates

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PORTFOLIO ASSET ADVICEBirminghamBirmingham City CouncilAchieved outline planning permission for 10 major surplus sites comprising over 800 residential units. Sites included former school sites with playing fields requiring robust Sport England justification.

WORLD CLASS SPORT/UNIVERSITY PAVILION FACILITYHeadingly Stadium, LeedsLeeds Beckett University and The Yorkshire County Cricket ClubFull planning permission achieved for mixed-use building for international sport and higher education uses. DTZ prepared and coordinated the planning application, led community consultation and negotiation with the planning authority.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTDiana Princess of Wales Hospital, GrimsbyHomes & Communities AgencyPlanning permission for 117 dwellings including affordable housing, public open space and aligned with ‘Home Zone’ principles, to support the HCA’s objectives in disposing of public sector land and delivering housing growth.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTLand at Wansbeck Hospital, Ashington, NorthumberlandNorthumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustOutline planning permission 97 dwellings and a new car park on surplus land at Wansbeck General Hospital, to support reinvestment back into NHS services.

MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTGoodman’s FieldRBS | Berkeley | exemplarAppointed and managed a large multi-disciplinary team in securing planning permission and listed building consent for a mixed-use scheme in central London, including consultation with the GLA.

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AWARD WINNING RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTAccordia, CambridgeCountryside PropertiesDTZ secured outline planning permission for 382 dwellings as part of a mixed-use scheme and negotiation of a complex S106 Agreement in order to maximise site development value. DTZ led the EIA and negotiated reserved matters and discharge of all conditions.

SUSTAINABLE URBAN EXTENSIONAshford, KentChurch Commissioners for EnglandDTZ secured outline planning permission for 1,100 dwellings, 70,000 sq m business floorspace, a district shopping centre and mixed use community facilities to facilitate the creation of a sustainable urban extension. The site and further landholdings were also pursued and secured for future development through the plan making process.

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“DTZ advice is wholly focused on ensuring viability, deliverability and optimising value, timing and certainty for our clients”

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROCUREMENT AND LAND DISPOSALLand North of Eastway, PrestonHomes & Communities AgencySpecialist planning advice on behalf of the HCA as they seek to procure a development partner to dispose of their land at Eastway. This involved successfully resolving complex planning condition, S.106, and ecological considerations, all of which serve to reduce the development risk for the successful developer and secure best value for the HCA.

PLANNING STRATEGY IN RELATION TO A GRADE II* LISTED BUILDINGKensington, LondonThe Commonwealth InstituteProvision of valuation and planning strategy advice in relation to a Grade II* listed asset in a sensitive heritage location to unlock value and secure its active future use.

1 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRIEFPype Hayes Hall, BirminghamBirmingham City CouncilPlanning and Development Brief identifying the likely ‘conservation deficit’ of development options for the surplus Grade II Listed Hall set within the Green Belt.

VISION, STRATEGY AND OPTION APPRAISAL New Cross, ManchesterManchester City CouncilVision, strategy and option appraisal to provide viable development options to inform an understanding of overall development potential and its ability to attract new investment activity, enabling key strategic investment decisions to be made by the City Council.

DEVELOPMENT APPRAISALNorthstowe, CambridgeshireHomes & Communities AgencyProvided advice on planning assumptions to determine the site value, which resulted in increasing the scale of development from 8,000 to 10,000 homes, whilst refining, scoping and ensuring its viability through accompanying development appraisal work.

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Development viability and deliverability

VIABILITY AND DELIVERY EVIDENCE BASEBradford Local PlanCity of Bradford MDCViability and delivery advice to assist with evidence to support the Local Plan, CIL and Area Action Plans for Bradford City Centre and Shipley Canal Road Corridor.

DEVELOPMENT VIABILITY ADVICELand near DewsburyChurch Commissioners for EnglandViability evidence to support inclusion of 50 ha Green Belt site for mixed use redevelopment in the Kirklees Core Strategy Local Plan.

EVIDENCE OF RESIDENTIAL VIABILITYBassingthorpe Farm Sustainable Urban Extension, RotherhamFitzwilliam Wentworth EstateViability evidence to support inclusion of 2000 unit residential scheme in the Rotherham Core Strategy Local Plan.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING VIABILITY ASSESSMENTPlox Brow, TarletonBarrett HomesViability appraisal to assess affordable housing provision within an application for residential development made by Barrett Homes.

AREA WIDE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) VIABILITY AND LOCAL PLAN VIABILITY STUDIESUK wideArea wide CIL viability and Local Plan Viability studies for a number of Local Authorities across the UK.

REALISING ASSET VALUEManchester and CreweManchester Metropolitan UniversitySpecialist development and planning advice to provide an evidence base that supported site redevelopment solutions and secured optimal return and value for the University. All five sites (including six Grade II listed buildings, one Grade II* listed building, educational buildings, offices, student residences and playing fields) have secured preferred purchasers, with the land values achieved exceeding all expectations.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT APPRAISALS FOR ALTERNATIVE USE AND DISPOSAL Ashford, MiddlesexBrooklands CollegeAdvised Brooklands College on estates and education strategy. Planning and development appraisals were undertaken at both the Weybridge and Ashford campuses to advise the college on potential alternative uses for each site. DTZ identified the opportunity to dispose of part of the Ashford Campus for a new supermarket which would part fund the new college building.

SUSTAINABLE URBAN EXTENSIONSLeicestershire CouncilsProvision of viability and delivery advice for the realisation of five 1000 home + urban extensions.


Can I also thank everybody for being so close to a solution that would have made the learning experience for the

pupils so much more palatable over the next six weeks. It was very reassuring to me that I had strong help,

commitment and solutions being actioned by the whole team of EFA. Thank you one and all.

Gary Wright, Project Manager, EFA

“DTZ’s expertise steers sites and properties through the planning system effectively and efficiently”

Land promotion, strategy and appraisal

RETAIL STRATEGYShoreham, Lancing and Southwick Town CentresAdur District CouncilA retail strategy to facilitate the growth and management of three town centres, including a specification for retail assessments, detailing how such assessments should be undertaken in Adur, and clear, robust Adur-specific retail planning policies and guidance.

RETAIL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT Bristol Central Area Action PlanBristol City CouncilQualitative review of the function and needs of the seven retail areas in Bristol City Centre and using DTZ’s state-of-the-art RECAP Model to test the capacity for additional floorspace in the city centre, and the implications of the potential expansion of The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.

SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD)Old Press/Mill Lane, CambridgeUniversity of CambridgePreparation of an SPD for a historic riverfront site alongside the University and the City Council. The framework addressed the sites historical merit, numerous listed buildings and deliverability.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRIEFLouisa Ryland House, BirminghamBirmingham City CouncilPreparation of planning and development brief forming part of marketing package for the disposal of the 100,000 sq ft listed building opportunity by Birmingham City Council.

STRATEGIC REGENERATION FRAMEWORK (SRF)Ellesmere PortCheshire West and Chester CouncilStrategic advice to guide the development and regeneration of Ellesmere Port Town Centre, that has facilitated a number of key development attracting investment interest and being brought forward through the development process.

MASTER PLANNINGBirmingham City CouncilPreparation of a master plan to support the allocation of an 80 ha Green Belt site for employment development through Birmingham Development Plan.

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This report is a very solid and robust piece of work that is adding great value to the LDF process and will be

used more widely to help influence and steer policy and investment priority. It has been completed with a very

thorough, professional and helpful approach.Chris Pearson, Senior Project Manager, Carlisle Renaissance

STRATEGIC PLANNING ADVICEHotels in Westminster, Kensington and BloomsburyThistle | BIL GamingStrategic advice relating to redevelopment opportunities of key central London hotel properties, including seven hotels in Westminster, Kensington and Bloomsbury to allow creation of ‘top end’ casinos, including involvement in the casino licensing application process.

ESTATE DISPOSALCity of ManchesterManchester Metropolitan UniversityDevelopment and planning advice that has led to the successful disposal of five of MMU’s existing campuses following consolidation to Central Manchester and Crewe locations. This has included site planning strategies, development frameworks and planning briefs, ‘critical friend’ planning advice, specialist evidence base reports, and planning obligation advice.

SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKSBorough of Knowsley Green BeltKnowsley CouncilPreparation of spatial development framework and SPD for three SUEs to ensure these provide a quality benchmark for new residential and economic investment to be delivered. Preparing evidence to support emerging plans and justify the proposed release of the sites from the Green Belt.

SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD) AND MASTER PLANGrove Hill, MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough CouncilMaster plan for Grove Hill, including social housing and local shopping centre in a state of decline. DTZ co-coordinated consultation events. The document was adopted as a SPD and the first phases of development have since been completed.

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“DTZ provides robust representation and specialist advice to protect and promote our clients’ interests”

Advocacy, representation and expert witness

INQUIRY AND EXPERT WITNESSMaidstone, Kent Maidstone Borough CouncilFull responsibility for a planning appeal Inquiry of a number of out-of-centre supermarkets and provision of Expert Witness services relating to town planning, retail planning and development viability.

SITE PROMOTION AND EiP EVIDENCENorthstowe, CambridgeHomes & Communities AgencyPromotion of the site through the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework including evidence at the Public Examinations. The work resulted in the allocation of the site for a new settlement of up to 10,000 homes.

LOCAL PLAN REPRESENTATIONCheshire West and ChesterRoyal Mail GroupPreparation and submission of successful planning policy representation, including EiP Hearing advocacy, resulting in the Local Plan Inspector instructing planning policy modifications in favour of protecting existing employment land uses critical to the continued successful operation of Royal Mail premises across the Borough.

EXPERT WITNESS AT PUBLIC INQUIRYHarborne Road, EdgbastonCalthorpe EstatesSuccessful expert witness evidence at public inquiry provided in support of the development of residential and educational facility.

EXPERT WITNESSHams Hall, North Warwickshiree-onExpert witness evidence to Regional Spatial Strategy Examination in Public and Local Plan Examination. Preparation and co-ordination of detailed evidence demonstrating requirements for additional regional logistics site in the West Midlands. The site is capable of accommodating 800,000 sq ft.

EXPERT WITNESS – VIABILITYVesuvius Works, WorksopCommercial Estates GroupExpert witness in relation to planning inquiry into proposed redevelopment of a 40 acre brownfield employment site for mixed use including a large foodstore. Expert witness evidence including viability, enabling development, regeneration and employment land. Following JR review the appeal was accepted.

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The way the team brings together its retail planning and commercial property expertise to give comprehensive

advice has been especially valuable. The team is approachable and client focused, demonstrably

understanding the particular challenges of working in a public sector environment.

Rob Jarman, Head of Planning & Development, Maidstone Borough Council

EXPERT WITNESS – RESIDENTIAL PLANNING APPEALNorth Tyneside General Hospital, North ShieldsNorthumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustApplication for outline planning permission for 80 dwellings and a new car park on surplus land at North Tyneside General Hospital in North Shields. Despite officer support the application was refused at committee. DTZ were successful in appeal against this decision.

EXPERT WITNESS PLANNING INQUIRYRotherhamJones Homes and The Emerson GroupExpert witness services on behalf of Emerson Group/Jones Homes to a planning appeal against refusal of redevelopment of a local shopping centre site for housing. DTZ provided viability and market evidence. The appeal was allowed.

LOCAL PLAN EXPERT WITNESSCutacre, BoltonHarworth EstatesRemoval of c.80ha of land from the Green Belt and its reallocation for strategic employment development. The DTZ strategy involved comprehensive engagement in the preparation of Development Plan Documents, including submission of representations, preparation of technical evidence, sub-regional employment land analysis, socio-economic benefits assessment, close liaison with the planning authority and participation at the examination in public.

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Our national Planning Team provides a specialist statutory town planning service delivered by a core team of chartered and experienced town planners located in every region allowing DTZ to provide comprehensive service coverage to our clients across the UK.

This service is an integral part of DTZ’s multi-disciplinary and best-in-class end-to-end property consultancy offer, as well as being a successful consultancy service in its own right.

The DTZ Planning Team provides town planning consultancy to a wide range of private and public sector clients covering all major property sectors, with a strength and focus on education, residential, retail, industrial/commercial and healthcare.

Karen Charles Director, London +44 (0)20 3296 3117 [email protected]

Julia Riddle Associate Director, London+44 (0)20 3296 3129 [email protected]

Hamish RobertshawAssociate Director, Leeds+44 (0)11 3233 7465 [email protected]

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Katherine Brooker Associate Director, Newcastle +44 (0)19 1223 5722 [email protected]

Mark JacksonDirector, Birmingham+44 (0)12 1697 7227 [email protected]

Andrew TeageAssociate Director, Manchester +44 (0)16 1235 [email protected]

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Team and contact


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