It is important that the planning system operates in a manner that addresses economic challenges and delivers the investment that the North needs. The right homes, employment space and infrastructure must be delivered in the right places, allowing the growth, attraction and retention of investment.
Through our involvement in a range of major projects in the North, knowledge of the Region, and strong relationships with business, regional stakeholders and local government, Quod have unrivalled experience in all aspects of planning, social and development economics affecting the Northern Powerhouse. We understand the challenges and opportunities faced by development and investment affecting the north of England.
Tim Waring, Director at Quod North, chairs the Leeds Chamber Property Forum. The Forum has been instrumental in matters such as planning, housing and transport, in the Leeds City Region, notably making the case for a single station to accommodate HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail within the existing Leeds station demise.
Quod have established strong working relationships with key senior officers in many Local Authorities across the Northern Powerhouse Region. We have advised on various major infrastructure projects, including the upgrading of Leeds Bradford Airport and the new White Rose rail station in Leeds, which will be key infrastructure in the future growth of the Leeds City Region and wider Northern Powerhouse. Quod also provided advice on the nationally significant ‘York Potash’ mining project beneath the North York Moors National Park. The mine delivers a world leading design and will contribute over £1bn annually to GDP, generating over 1,000 permanent jobs.
In 2020 we secured consent for almost 2,000 new homes (across a range of tenures) across the Northern Powerhouse, including those in urban centres, suburban locations and urban extensions. In the same year we have been advising on schemes that will deliver in the order of 8,000 additional new homes beyond this (including a major new garden community in York). We also obtained planning consent for nearly 150,000sqm of employment floorspace, and advised on a range of other schemes that would deliver in the order of a further 500,000sqm of commercial floorspace. We are currently advising on a new garden settlement in York, strategic employment spaces, and commercial expansion at Meadowhall, Sheffield and the White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds.
