How We Can Help
We help to make the economic case for proposed new developments and for designations including site allocations. Our work shows how proposals will impact on the local economy and their potential to create jobs for local people, and demonstrated the need for a particular scheme and how it contributes to existing policy and strategy ambitions. The economic case we develop often helps to support an application for funding, planning permission, or other intervention.
We work with landowners, site promoters, property developers, planners and local authorities, and our expert services are often helpful in support of contentious schemes which do not conform to the development plan (either extant or emerging).
We apply a range of research and analysis tools to meet the needs of our clients, which tend to include:
- Demonstrating the need for increased housing provision
- Demonstrating an over/under supply of employment land
- Demonstrating the economic benefits of development proposals
The Importance of a Strong Economic Case
Landowners, site promoters, property developers, planners and local authorities need to be able to characterise how development can sustain and enhance local, regional, and national economies, whilst also generating benefits to local communities, residents, and businesses. Delivering economic growth is a key priority for local authorities, and is a core objective of national planning policy across the UK. Having a strong economic justification for a project or development can be very helpful in demonstrating the beneficial impacts a development can bring about. This can also act as a counterweight to other potential adverse impacts.
Our Approach
We tailor our approach to a client’s specific needs. Our typical approach to making the economic case for development will include:
- Demonstrating the strategic fit of a development and its contribution to existing policy and strategy ambitions.
- Modelling of employment, wage, and GVA impacts across construction and operational phases. We can also model domestic local expenditure from workers, residents, and visitors, or look at the impact the development will have on public finances e.g. business rates.
- Describing the impact on local economic growth as a result of the development. Development can contribute towards positively restructure an area’s sector profile; act as a catalyst for inward investment; and improve the quality of public realm.
- Assessing social impacts on the local community, typically in terms of: skills and training opportunities for the local labour force; health needs and improved outcomes for local residents; alleviation of deprivation; and social cohesion and community integration.
HJA were commissioned by Nudge Community Builders to deliver an economic impact statement to support their work to regenerate the Union Street area of Plymouth.
In 2021, HJA assisted Torbay Council and TDA to secure Town Deal funding and support, helping to prepare a Town Investment Plan to help secure £21.9 million of funding for economic regeneration in Torquay and subsequently develop business cases for eight projects.
HJA was appointed by Estrans Ltd to prepare an economic statement and a high level analysis for the ratio of jobs to workers for the Swanmoor Stoke New Community development in South Gloucestershire. The development will be a net zero carbon mixed use settlement, providing up to 3,000 new homes, 20 ha of leisure, employment…
HJA were commissioned by Nudge Community Builders to deliver an economic impact statement to support their work to regenerate the Union Street area of Plymouth.
In 2021, HJA assisted Torbay Council and TDA to secure Town Deal funding and support, helping to prepare a Town Investment Plan to help secure £21.9 million of funding for economic regeneration in Torquay and subsequently develop business cases for eight projects.
