Development Briefs

Question 1

What were the key constraints you identified at Ringmer?

Answer 1

Flood risk, Sewage Treatment plan and two parcels of land that were owned by a utility company.

Question 2

How did you mitigate the risks at Ringmer?

Answer 2

Through inclusion in the risk register where an allowance was made in the risk register and programme

Question 3

How much affordable was there at Leegate?

Answer 3

25%

Question 4

What were the various use classes at Leegate?

Answer 4

Gym, Retail and Office space

Question 5

How many units at Leegate?

Answer 5

469 units (25% affordable)

Question 6

What risks were identified at Leegate?

Answer 6

Flood Risk, Vacant Possession and Ground Contamination

Question 7

What were the key constraints at West Byfleet?

Answer 7

With the Site being greenfield it was important to ensure that the site was not overly dense and that biodiversity net gain targets could be met, there was also issues with noise and light pollution from the M25. The access from the road was also limited so considering this whilst phasing the development was essential.

Question 8

How many units was West Byfleet Allocated for?

Answer 8

600 units

Question 9

How did you decide on a housing mix for West Byfleet?

Answer 9

via the Local Planning Authority Website / Local Plan / SPD / SHMA (strategic housing market assessment)

Question 10

What would you typically include in a project brief

Answer 10

Description and background (who the client is, overview, project vision, site area and project structure)

Site location plans/ site area

Organisational structure

Legal (ownership and stopping up)

Budget

Objectives and KPI)

Programme and approvals (key dates, planning programme, client approvals)

Design brief (specification, potential contentious issues, car parking ratio)

Technical brief ( details of drawings, surveys and investigations, demolition

Financial parameters ( Target build costs)

Sales and marketing strategy

Consultant team (Invoicing procedure and fee drawdown)

Stakeholders

Key risks

Operational requirements

Question 11

What is typically included in a development brief ?

Answer 11

A description of the Client
Organisational structure
Planning requirements (existing consents, site surveys etc)
Consultation
Scheme budget and fee breakdown
Project risks
Clients requirements (design, landscaping etc)

Question 12

What is a strategic brief ?

Answer 12

Is a clear and concise document that outlines crucial information gathered during discovery and lays the foundation for the rest of the project. The document is started after the kick-off meeting, refined once discovery is complete, and approved by the client before any other work is done

Question 13

What is the aim of producing a brief ?

Answer 13

To agree the objectives and KPI

To ensure that the client receives the right project through iterative transformation of needs into building specifications

Question 14

What is a project execution plan ?

Answer 14

A report setting the strategy for managing a project, describing roles and responsibilities and defining policies, procedures and priorities that will be adopted

Question 15

What are the RIBA stages

Answer 15

0 – Strategic Definition
1 – Preparation and Brief
2 – Concept Design
3 – Spatial coordination
4 – Technical Design
5 – Manufacturing and Construction
6 – Handover and Close Out
7 – In use

Question 16

What would you use to evaluate the key metrics in a project?

Answer 16

KPIS

Question 17

What is typically included in a KPI ?

Answer 17

Key performance indicators are metrics used to evaluate factors that are crucial to the success of a project.

They can be used to:
* Monitor costs.
* Track progress.
* Assess client satisfaction.
* Identify strengths & weaknesses.
* Compare performance across and between projects.
* Assess specific areas of a project such as sustainability, safety, waste management etc.

Question 18

How do you identify the key constraints?

Answer 18

Assess the site, it’s location, access and history, are there any restrictions in terms of neighborly matters, what is the planning policy, are there any existing structures, what are the terms of the deeds i.e. leasehold or freehold, does the client have a set budget e.g. funding arrangements, is there a particular time constraint, e.g. specific opening or sale / lease date.

Question 19

Name a time to further inform a Development Brief you visited site?

Answer 19

Ringmer - After I undertook an initial appraisal, I decided to complete a site visit to further inform the Development Brief. The key constraints identified during the site visit and via LandInsight was the flood risk area, the sewage treatment centre nearby and two land parcels owned by a utility company. I briefed the project team as part of an introductory meeting using the brief, highlighting these key pieces of information to be included in the risk register and to be allowed for in programme

Question 20

Name a time you looked at a development brief for a mixed use scheme?

Answer 20

Leegate Shopping Centre - I was responsible for pulling together the Development Brief for this mixed-use scheme. The scheme was a key landmark opportunity for the LA, which meant that there were a number of crucial elements to be provided such as A1-A3 commercial use, community / gym, office space, retail and 469 residential units with 25% being affordable. I highlighted other risks to the team before bidding, including possible ground contamination from a fuel tank that had no proof of being decommissioned, flood risk and vacant possession concerns.

Question 21

Name a time you utilised a brief to advise a bid?

Answer 21

West Byfleet - Following an introduction through an agent who requested an unconditional offer, it was key that I identified the key constraints surrounding the site to enable Clarion to put together a competitive bid. Following a site visit and a review of local planning documents, I determined possible unit / affordable mix and planning risks. This specific site had a higher requirement for affordable housing as it was a greenfield site. This affected the amount of additional affordable units Clarion would provide. I advised the various internal teams of risks that we would need to mitigate and make allowances for. I advised bidding on the basis of a 600 unit scheme to ensure Clarion was competitive, but had minimal planning risk with this being in line the number of units according to the Site Allocation.

Question 22

How did you use your development / project brief at Kirkstall Road to advise stakeholders?

Answer 22

Kirkstall Road, Modular Units - I was selected to pursue a planning application / procurement for 10 units for rough sleepers. For this, I prepared a project brief that I used to inform the wider internal team of the objectives of the scheme. The brief outlined budget, programme, required actions, stakeholders and Clarion’s objectives for the scheme. An alternate version was also created for external parties such as the council and contractors involved in the scheme to enable me to advise them of the scheme and their roles. I also used this brief to present the scheme to the Development function.