Research
Kirkwells can provide you with a full range of research products. Our team has years of research experience. We will agree a brief with you to produce clear, concise and accurate analysis. Research that will not sit unread on a full shelf of your office. We will produce for you research that can be used to support your decision-making and chosen course of action. These are just a sample of the studies we can work:
- Strategic Housing Market Assessment
- Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
- Playing Pitch Assessement
- Employment Land Reviews
- Retail Needs Studies and Impact Assessments
- Economic Impact Assessments
- Conservation Area Appraisals
Planning Policies
Our extensive experience working on a range of planning policy issues lets us support you to develop, change or challenge planning policy. We can assist you at any level – national, regional, Local Development Framework or Neighbourhood Plan. We can also develop and present your case at all forms of public inquiry. Just a few of the services we can provide you include:
- Representation on local authority core strategies
- Presentation of your case for a sites inclusion as a development land allocation
- Preparation of Neighbourhood Plans
- Preparation of development briefs
- Expert witness at all forms of planning inquiry
Site Search & Appraisal
If you are looking for a site for a new development, seeking a building for a business, public sector or voluntary use Kirkwells has extensive knowledge and a network of contacts. Knowledge and contacts that it can use to find you the right site. Allied to this knowledge, we offer you the expertise to analyse and appraise options and recommend a way forward that gets your development up and running.
Planning Applications
Kirkwells planners work with you to seek the planning permissions you need. Working alongside you, we take your initial ideas, to produce planning applications and quality supporting documents which will give you the best possible chance of approval.
Applications will soon have to meet the presumption in favour of sustainable development. To help you meet this new requirement we will, when necessary, assemble a team of experts from our network of high calibre architects, surveyors and other professionals. Our aim is to get things right for you first time…
But, if things do go wrong we can represent you at all forms of planning appeal and inquiry.
Sustainable Development
With the Government about to introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable development it is now more important than ever for you to ensure that your planning project balances the economic benefit with environmental and social needs.
Our in-house team, and network of experts, are perfectly placed to work with you to ensure that your development is sustainable and stands the best chance of approval.
Urban Design & Masterplanning
At Kirkwells, we are committed to quality. Quality in the services we offer to you and in the projects you will deliver on the ground. Urban design and masterplanning are often at the heart of this. We offer you a full range of urban design and masterplanning services to ensure that your project is of the highest design quality.
Heritage
From Listed Buildings to Conservation Areas Kirkwells has the knowledge and experience to assist you. This may be to develop an application for listed building consent, or prepare a conservation or heritage appraisal.
Bidding for funding and project appraisal
If you need to put together a bid for grant or other funding Kirkwells can do this for you. We work with you to put together a credible, realistic funding package.
We can do this for large and small projects and our assistance ranges from full bid preparation and co-ordination, to support and help on specific parts of your bid. You will be working with a team that has successfully bid for funding from many sources, including UK and EU Government. Over the years our team has successfully bid for funding of more than £100 million.
On the other hand, if you are a grant funding body, and you are seeking independent appraisal of projects in receipt of your funding, Kirkwells can provide a full project appraisal service. This will give you the confidence to know your funding is being used well and provides a second opinion on the way you make decisions on your investments.
Neighbourhood Planning & Community Right To Build
Localism is changing planning and bringing in a more bottom up approach. This will include Neighbourhood Planning, Community Right to Build and other initiatives. Communities, developers, and local councils will all have to get to grips with these. If you are seeking assistance with neighbourhood and community planning issues Kirkwells can help you. Our years’ of experience of neighbourhood planning and community engagement can be used to develop your plan or proposal, or to respond to a local challenge to a development proposal.
Community Engagement
Engaging the right people, in the right way, at the right time is at the heart of the planning system. Our team of planners has a long track record of successfully engaging communities and their political representatives. Kirkwells can put this knowledge and expertise at your disposal to help steer your project through what can often be controversial and difficult waters. We have a range of partners who can help on more specialised engagement areas including mediation.
Training
Kirkwells can tailor a training package to meet your needs. Training on town planning, sustainability, and community engagement to benefit you, and your organisation. Based on your needs we can design one-off training sessions to a full courses so you, and your organisation, can get to grips with the planning system.
Find out more about our Neighbourhood Planning Training for Parish and Town Councils.