Development/Project Briefs

Question 1

What is the difference between a development & project brief?

Answer 1

Development briefs: prepared prior to a planning submission. Typically contain site analysis and development principles. They essentially establish what a development needs to achieve.

Project briefs: Usually prepared once the development brief has become sufficiently advanced. This is then often shared with external professionals to progress their work.

Question 2

How have you learnt the importance of highlighting the relevant site issues?
Example

Answer 2

Emmer Green Example, there was a unique situation with the site on Reading and South Oxfordshire Boarder where it was important to highlight EG would not be within SO development plans. In this instance we discussed the importance of staying informed of both SO and R Local Plans.

Question 3

Why is it important to undertake extensive due diligence prior to briefing the architects?

Answer 3

In advising my client what offer level to submit at the site. The more information I have at the start of the process means, the architects can draw a suitable scheme, meaning my advice to the client can be as accurate as possible, allowing my client to be as competitive as possible on their offer.

Question 4

Where would you find Local Authorities housing density requirement?

Answer 4

Depends on the local authority, often can be found in the
- SHLAA
- Local Plan
- Local Plan supporting documents e.g. Core Strategy

Question 5

What legal and regulatory issues would you typically consider within the project brief?

Answer 5

Planning permission status
Compliance with potential s106 obligations or CIL
Listed Buildings in close proximity
Conservation areas
Whether there’s a restrictive covenant