our services

LAND

Merlin Land Planning and Development Ltd (MLPDL) are specialist consultants in the sale, acquisition and assessment of land and in particular land and property with development potential. Our wealth of experience which has been polished over some 35 years enables us to provide a bespoke and tailored service. We advise land and property owners on the potential of their property whether it is strategic land, land with short term potential or indeed a brownfield opportunity with existing buildings upon it. We are well placed and able to provide the necessary guidance to optimise the assets value. When acting in acquisition mode we are skilled negotiators and take pride in achieving deals which tick all of the financial indicators.

Our unique mix of experience entwined with our qualifications allows us to guide our Clients from inception to completion of any real estate project thus providing reassuring guidance and advice which gives our clients confidence in the knowledge that they have selected the right team. We are experienced in acting for landowners, investors, developers, land promoters, house builders, public bodies, financial institutions and affordable housing providers.

Our monitoring of the market place provides us with a robust understanding of the changing trends of the land and property market and we use this information to inform our Clients and to stay one step ahead with the purchasing trends of intending purchasers. We do enjoy working alongside other consultants where we believe there is value to be added and with every instruction our goal is to provide best advice.

Our breadth of experience covers an array of development land projects ranging from single building plots, change of use, large potential urban extensions with complex infra structure issues, mixed use and mixed tenure communities, leisure, commercial and industrial development.

We offer a no nonsense approach therefore if you would like to discuss your development land conundrum and how to maximise your return we will be delighted to set up a no obligation discussion at a mutually convenient time.

PLANNING

“Town planning makes better and more sustainable places for everyone to live, work and enjoy”

Chartered Town Planners manage these competing demands and uses for space. At the heart of their work, planners balance social, economic and environmental needs to shape the way that towns and cities grow and to create great communities for everyone. (Source RTPI)

Planning has moved a long way from the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 with its principal concerns of pollution, urban sprawl and ribbon development and despite attempts to simplify the planning system over more recent times, planning applications have undoubtedly increased in complexity and to the uninitiated it can be a maze.

“Having worked in the planning departments of three local authorities (including one new town) certainly provided an excellent understanding of how the mechanics of local government operate” says Director Graham Jones.

At Merlin we prefer to work collaboratively with all stakeholders. We provide advice on potential development opportunities through site appraisals and feasibility studies. We enjoy working alongside other planning consultants where we feel a particular specialism is needed and added value provided. In addition we work closely with other consultants to fill any voids required by a specific project such as architects, ecologists, archaeologists, highways engineers, drainage engineers, landscape architects and urban designers. It is important to understand the various planning moves from an early stage of the project in order to maximise the development value of the asset. We liken this to piloting an aircraft… “it is far better to understand what all of the controls do before take-off”. If you would like to discuss a particular project with us then we are only a click away from arranging an informal discussion.

Development

We are especially well placed to provide new and existing clients with our wide ranging consultancy skills. Over the years we have provided good sound advice to landowners; developers; other consultants and lawyers particularly when matters have become a little more complicated. We are able to blend our knowledge of Land, Planning and Development obtained over some 35 years of experience to guide clients from early feasibility studies to project management of the built form and everything in-between. We are able to guide you from the initial concept brief and to tailor a strategy to meet your objectives in terms of site availability, suitability, accessibility, viability and deliverability. So whatever project you have in mind we can offer you our services and in-depth knowledge in order to help you decide on the best course of action for your particular project. In essence “is there any merit in taking the plan forward?” and if so where to begin and what route should be followed. If you have a special project in mind or you have some concerns and need a second opinion, then please do not hesitate to contact us for a confidential and informal discussion, we would be delighted to be part of your team.