Town Deal Support – The Implementation of Economic Strategies and Business Cases

Hardisty Jones Associates (HJA) has experience across the three main themes covered in the Towns Fund. As such, we will be able to support you in developing a bid for the Towns Fund based on your Town Investment Plan. A brief summary of our work across the three key areas is set out below. 

Insight Author

Joshua Harding-Jones

Senior Consultant

Tel: 02921 508 949

E: josh@hardistyjones.com

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Urban regeneration, planning and land use 

Garden Town Employment Land Strategy 

We are currently working with Harlow Gilston Garden Town to help them understand the future employment role and function of the Garden Town, and thus the employment land requirements. 

To ensure the vision of the Garden Town as a vibrant place to live and work is delivered, we are providing advice on the strategic direction that should be taken with employment sites in the town. 

This project is an example of our experience of developing strategy to ensure that towns can attract and retain businesses through the delivery of appropriate employment land. 

Housing Delivery on Brownfield Site 

We are currently working to develop a Full Business Case for the delivery of housing on a brownfield site in Poole as part of a wider regeneration plan for the area. 

Despite the regeneration plan and complimentary investment in transport, the site was not being brought forward to deliver housing, so we worked with the Council to consider a number of options to deliver housing including the use of Compulsory Purchase Order. 

This is an example of the type of work we do in relation to bringing forward town centre regeneration. 

Skills and enterprise infrastructure 

Opportunity Area Skills and Enterprise Network 

HJA was appointed to conduct an options appraisal for the delivery of training and enterprise support in the West Somerset Opportunity Area. Our work comprised two dimensions: identifying a network of education and support providers; and identifying a network of places where this could be provided. 

This project has given us a greater understanding of the strategies that can be used to ensure that local business, education providers, and residents work together to address skills shortages and provide support to young people to access training opportunities. 

Innovation Centre 

We worked with Somerset County Council to deliver the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre. The centre provides floorspace and innovation support to local SMEs wishing to invest in developing their businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the nuclear new build at Hinkley Point C. 

This package of work has given use an understanding of the business support facilities that can be used to open up opportunities for local businesses to innovate and collaborate with larger businesses. 

Connectivity 

5G Testbed 

HJA was appointed to develop a detailed Business Case for the Digital Dorset 5G Testbed Project. We conducted detailed research and stakeholder consultations to develop an understanding of 5G technology and its potential applications. This allowed us to model the economic impact of new digital infrastructure on the town. 

This work has given us an in-depth understanding of gigabit connectivity, both the barriers to deployment and potential impact on the local area.