Planning & economics

Atkins provides support at all stages of the planning and economic development process from policy making through site appraisal and planning to approvals and consenting, project delivery and asset management.

Site planning

Atkins has been involved in a wide range of projects helping private and public sector clients design and deliver new communities that are both sustainable and well planned.

Our work includes both brownfield development and urban extensions, from initial assessments and feasibility, through to masterplanning and detailed planning and design, to site delivery.

Our approach encompasses appraisal of site constraints and opportunities, and assessment of the quantum of development requirement by the client, considering urban capacity in relation to the land-take necessary for proposed levels of housing and employment, transport and community infrastructure.

Our site planning work involves our economic and regeneration specialists including market demand assessments, economic and financial appraisal, funding mechanisms and project implementation. We also evaluate growth options in terms of environmental impact, infrastructure capacity and the need to ensure sustainability.

Approvals and consenting

We are experienced at interacting with consent granting bodies at all levels including the Infrastructure Planning Commission, and at national, regional and local government level, project managing and providing in-depth information is now required in support of even relatively small applications. Drawing upon our experience, Atkins has acquired considerable expertise in coordinating planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessments and other specialist assessments.

Project delivery

Successful delivery of high quality development depends on rigorous analysis of potential implementation strategies. Atkins starts with assessment of land-use mixes based on market demand, policy context and physical constraints and opportunities. Options are then appraised against commercial, economic, design and sustainability criteria. Possible funding deficit is considered along with any public funding needed. Options for delivery vehicles can vary from a market led approach to public private partnerships as either joint venture or special-purpose vehicles.

Our planning services include:

• Planning appraisals
• Planning applications
• Masterplanning
• Appeals, including public inquiries
• Environmental Impact Assessments
• Supplementary planning documents
• Minerals and waste planning
• Sustainability appraisals
• Design guides
• Asset managing and surveying

Our economic services include:

• Local economic assessments
• Socio-economic analysis
• Economic impact assessment
• Economic scenario forecasting
• Inward investment studies
• Green Book appraisals
• Funding bids
• Project and programme evaluation
• Feasibility studies
• Environmental economics
• Community consultation
• Business plans and financial appraisal
• Survey design and analysis
• Social enterprise development
• Economic development and regeneration strategies
• Employment land and housing studies
• Sectoral development studies
• Major scheme business cases