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Introduction Our Projects
A Multi-Skilled Consultancy
Formed in 2005, Iceni is now the market leader and preferred consultancy for a fast-growing number of clients. We have always sought to provide the skills of an advisor with the instincts of a developer.
We achieve this by knowing our tradecraft –the technical skills that come through years of education and on-the-job experience that is recognised by professional accreditation. But it is also daring to be different; being proactive and thinking strategically. Our client relationships are built on trust, togetherness, enthusiasm, and a courage to challenge, where appropriate. The technical specialisms that the company hold have widened, but this fundamental objective remains the same. We are committed to putting our client’s interests first – and providing them with the tools to significantly improve their performance.
Your Strategic Advisors
Ian Anderson
Chief Executive
Andrew Gale
Chief Operating Officer
James Bompas
Director | Business Devt. & Strategic Planning
Danny Collins Director
Nick Ireland Director
Silke Gruner
Director
Callum Fraser Director
Matt Kinghan Director
We’re proud to say that we’re an award-winning consultancy. We’ve a positive, creative mindset, and we’re passionate about what we do.
Claire Cogar Director
Paul McColgan Director
Chris Jones
Director
Gary Mappin
Laurie Handcock Director
Nick Walker Director
Gemma Gallant Director
Philippa Curran Director
Director Ian Gallacher
Director Ian Mayhead
Director
Kieron Hodgson
Director Leona Hannify
Director
Lewis Westhoff
Director
Lorna O’Carroll
Director Nick Grant
Director
Simon Fowler
Director
Jonathan Stewart Director
Paul Drew Director
James Jaulim Director
Sam Griffiths Director
James Waterhouse
Director
Clive Burbridge
Director
Jamie Sullivan
Director
Fred Peters
Director
John Mumby Director
Rob Amey
Director
New Settlements & Urban Extensions
With the Labour Party’s commitment to consulting local areas on the optimal locations for new settlements and the exploration of urban extensions, our expertise is potentially more relevant than ever. We understand that urban extensions and new settlements are crucial for accommodating the majority of the nation’s new homes in the coming years, especially as brownfield land becomes scarce and the capacities of our town and city centres are maximised.
Urban extensions have been recognised as a viable solution to housing needs, offering a reduced environmental footprint. At Iceni, we see these extensions not only as housing solutions but as opportunities for transformative development. These projects can address inherent structural deficiencies and achieve exemplary environmental performance.
Strategic planning at Iceni is straightforward and effective. We fundamentally believe in assessing needs, evaluating constraints, and identifying practical solutions. Our approach is to have a strategic vision that goes beyond the limiting constraints of development management policies, utilising a diverse range of skills to deliver large-scale infrastructure and development projects that benefit our clients commercially.
Iceni is actively advising on urban extensions in locations including Thurrock, Brentwood, Havering, Southend, South Cambridgeshire, and the Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This extensive experience underscores our capability in this sector.
Our advisory services encompass all aspects of the planning process. Initially, this includes site identification, planning and
political due diligence, masterplanning, and land budgeting. Following this, we move into a development plan promotion stage, which involves plan representations, scheme design, political engagement, and project branding. The culmination of our process is the submission of a planning application, where our expertise extends to archaeology, built heritage and townscape, design, economics, engagement strategies, Iceni futures, impact management, landscape, planning, and transport.
Your Strategic Advisor
Projects
West Horndon
Brentwood & Thurrock
In line with Iceni’s ethos of combining the skills of an advisor with the developer’s instincts, our engagement with the West Horndon project exemplifies our strategic approach to property consultancy. We have identified West Horndon as an exemplary location in the South East of England for strategic scale development.
West Horndon possesses all the necessary attributes to support strategic scale growth. It boasts essential infrastructure and job opportunities, conducive to sustainable living and working environments. However, it currently lacks adequate housing and the high standards of 21st-century placemaking. Recognising this potential, Iceni proactively identified West Horndon as a prime opportunity for strategic growth. With the majority of the land under one principal ownership, we initiated the process to move the land forward as a development opportunity. This initiative was part of our commitment to assist a long-standing and valued client in agreeing on promotion terms with the landowner.
Currently, Iceni is actively promoting the land through the Development Plan process. Our approach involves engaging all our teams and disciplines to build a compelling case for development. This project is a testament to our ability to identify and nurture development opportunities, from the initial stages of site identification and masterplanning to the intricate processes of development plan promotion and planning application submission. Our involvement in West Horndon showcases our commitment to delivering large-scale infrastructure and development projects that not only meet the immediate needs of our clients but also contribute positively to the community and environment, aligning with our vision of transformative development.
East Tilbury Thurrock
At Iceni, we focus on identifying and developing strategic urban extensions and new settlements, with East Tilbury in the Thames Gateway, east of London, being a notable example of our work in this area.
The location of East Tilbury, enhanced by its excellent rail and road connectivity, including the A13 and the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, presents it as a suitable site for strategic-scale development. Since our start in 2005, we have been committed to promoting land at East Tilbury. Despite challenges like its Green Belt status and delays in Local Plan approvals, our consistent efforts have led to progress. In 2010, we achieved permission for 300 homes following a Public Inquiry appeal. More recently, in 2022, we submitted a planning application for 1,000 homes along with a relief road, expecting it to be reviewed by a Planning Committee in early 2024.
Engaging with local communities and stakeholders is an integral part of our approach. We have regularly interacted with the local community forum (WELCOM) and have organised numerous engagement events. Collaborations with Network Rail, the Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England, the Princes Foundation, and other design authorities have been essential in addressing this project’s complexities.
The future looks promising with the site’s inclusion in the Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation, scheduled for December 2024. This step reflects the recognised potential of East Tilbury as a model for urban extension and new settlement.
Land North of Southend
Southend & Rochford
Iceni Projects have had a long-term role in promoting and advising on this land, having previously supported Cogent, and now Bellway. They are providing planning, masterplanning, landscape, transport, economics and social infrastructure inputs on the project.
Bellway Strategic Land’s project north of Eastern Avenue and east of Southend Airport aims to create eight new villages with about 10,000 homes. This plan, part of the emerging Local Plans for Rochford District and Southend City, involves extensive technical work to ensure the feasibility and quality of the development. Since the 2021 Proof of Concept, there has been ongoing design evolution, influenced by multiple stakeholder workshops and discussions. The development focuses on sustainable, people-centric communities, resilience against climate change, and adaptability for future generations.
The project has transitioned from a masterplan to a ‘development framework’, focusing on working with the landscape to form diverse, integrated communities. Central to this vision is enhancing resident well-being through a balanced mix of land uses and a movement network. The development aspires to positively impact Rochford and Southend residents by providing new infrastructure for sports, recreation, leisure, employment opportunities, and strategic transport, including public transport, walking, and cycling options.
James Waterhouse Director, Planning
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07734 464 067
E: jwaterhouse@iceniprojects.com
As a founding Director at Iceni Projects, James has been instrumental in steering the company’s focus towards urban extensions and new settlements, areas increasingly vital in today’s urban planning landscape.
James’s proficiency lies in handling the multifaceted challenges of planning in urban extensions and new settlements. His role involves comprehensive site appraisal and promotion, tailored specifically to the unique demands of developing on the peripheries of urban areas or establishing entirely new communities. He excels in navigating the intricacies of Development Plans, regeneration strategies, planning applications, and appeal work, all within the context of these specialised areas.
James sits within Iceni’s Strategic Planning team, who enable him to maximise the range of projects he can work on at any one time.
Leona Hannify Director, Planning
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07972 894 016
E: lhannify@iceniprojects.com
Leona, as a Director in the Strategic Planning Team, plays a significant role in promoting various largescale projects.
Her focus primarily lies on greenfield, residential-led mixed-use schemes and renewable energy developments, both key in the context of urban extensions and new settlements.
Her comprehensive understanding of planning processes and steadfast determination are instrumental in managing the delivery of significant strategic development sites. Since joining Iceni Projects in 2012, after working on notable project portfolios in Ireland, Leona has successfully obtained planning permissions for various major commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects in the UK. These projects often involve Environmental Impact Assessments, where she expertly leads and coordinates large multidisciplinary teams.
Leona’s technical skills are complemented by her strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal abilities, honed through interactions with both private and public sector clients and working within multidisciplinary project teams.
Lorna O’Carroll
Director, Planning
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07875 681 532
E: locarroll@iceniprojects.com
In her role at Iceni Projects, Lorna employs a meticulous and analytical approach.
She specialises in producing and advising on socio-economic impact assessments for a variety of development projects. These typically encompass residential, commercial, mixed-use, and transport projects, all essential in the field of urban extensions and new settlements.
Lorna’s expertise also includes developing health and equality impact assessments for complex urban development projects. She has effectively managed the preparation and submission of planning applications, demonstrating her ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and liaise successfully with local planning authorities.
A significant part of her work involves advocating for strategic housing and employment sites in the local plan process. This includes conducting employment land reviews, local economic assessments, and growth option studies for a diverse range of clients.
Lorna is recognised for her strategic mindset, strong analytical capabilities, attention to detail, and proficiency in clearly conveying complex technical information.
James Bompas Director, Planning & Bus. Dev.
T: 020 3640 8508
M: 07736 314 143
E: jbompas@iceniprojects.com
James brings over 15 years of planning experience and MRTPI accreditation to his role.
Focusing on strategic planning applications crucial for new settlements and urban extensions. His work involves managing projects that include Environmental Impact Assessments, reflecting a commitment to sustainable urban development. At Iceni Projects, he is involved in site promotion, allocation, and the coordination of planning application submissions, adeptly handling appeals as needed.
James’s career started at the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, where he was part of Europe’s extensive regeneration project, managing several area action plans and contributing to the revision of the East of England Plan.
Currently, James is working on substantial projects like developing 10,000 homes in the London Borough of Havering, 2,500 homes at Arena Essex, and 1,000 homes at East Tilbury in the Green Belt.
His PRINCE2® qualification and an MBA with distinction from Henley Business School complement his skills in overseeing these complex, large-scale projects.
Introduction Our Projects
Our People
Added Value iSite
iSite pulls together a number of services to enable the promoter of a project – but equally the respective consultant, local authority, consultee, local community and wider interested party – to gain the knowledge and understanding of a site or location that historically has only been possible from an in-depth site visit. Moreover, many projects are of the size and scale that even a physical site visit renders difficult to comprehend.
The key focus of iSite is to provide an intelligent digital design and consultation tool. This incorporates the use of drone photography, 360° camerawork (think Google Street View for buildings), interactive, virtual consultation halls and project web sites that can pool together all of the information for effective file management and sharing. So, whether you need to initiate an initial site survey appraisal, team site visit, pre-application meeting, public consultation event or committee presentation, iSite can help.
iSite won’t be for everyone. We understand that. But if you are looking for cost-effective ways to progress with your proposals, it could be the answer.
Branding, Design & Communications
From Site Promotion through to Post-Consent Engagement, our talent in-house Design and Communications Team bring sites to life, employing clear narratives and graphic interventions to help navigate development through the complex planning system.
From transforming dense planning data into a digestible visual language to bringing a site’s vision to life with project websites and animated content, visual communication is a cornerstone of any successful, large-scale development.
Our in-house Design and Communications Team are skilled at engaging with local communities and planning authorities alike, creating powerful brands and striking visual collateral to guide your development through the planning process.
Added Value Iceni Futures
The Iceni Futures team was set up in response to the rapidly changing world and the acknowledgment that more than ever, we need to create future proofed and sustainable development. The teams role is to assess, predict and influence change across the development industry. In practice that means exploring how places and people will function in the future, analysing existing barriers and providing strategic advice which aligns with clients goals and aspirations to ensure development is fit for the future.
The team doesn’t claim to be experts in every new discipline or product, but they understand the existing barriers and outdated development processes that persist across the industry and the importance of working innovatively and smarter to deliver client visions and change that actually works. It’s understood that each client will need tailored advice and the Futures team look to work collaboratively to provide advice which is tailored to a specific site, company strategy or product. Essentially, if you’re looking to plan for or capitalise on the future, Iceni Futures can be there to support you and drive that ambition.
Archaeology | Built Heritage & Townscape | Design | Economics | Engagement | Impact Management
Landscape | Place | Planning | Transport
Birmingham: 20 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6AT
Edinburgh : 14 -18 Hill Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3JZ
Glasgow : 201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW
London : Da Vinci House, 44 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH
Manchester : WeWork, Dalton Place, 29 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6FW www.iceniprojects.com | iceni-projects | iceniprojects