News

Alliance Planning Christmas 2009

07-12-2009

2009 - WHAT A YEAR!

Another Year draws to an end and what a year it’s been!  We conclude with greater optimism than the uncertainty that has surrounded the property sector for the last year.  Amongst the maelstrom of the markets, we have sought to focus ever more closely on client needs, on service and on providing timely advice that really delivers enhanced value.  So many of our friends have faced difficult decisions, there have been many changes, but there has also been time to reappraise, to innovate and to create new opportunities.”
 
There have been major changes to the planning system this year, with Government recognizing that planning is having an effect on delaying or threatening development that is sorely needed to move the economy forward:  the Launch of the Planning Commission for major infrastructure projects, new advice on flexible planning permissions, the ability to renew and extensions in the period of planning permissions, attempts to simplify the system of development plans and increase the rate of progress with LDF documents.  Yet major challenges remain.  LDF adoption is woefully behind schedule and is causing major issues for certain business sectors, with saved policies looking increasingly out of date and concern that this is hampering new development.  There is increasing concern at the systems of charging for pre-application advice and the issue of procedural refusals, where pressure to determine applications within the due timescale is leading to pressure to withdraw or face refusal on timing grounds alone.  This and the number of LDF documents being progressed requires ever increasing vigilance to ensure development interests are reflected as plans progress.

We have taken the opportunity to develop our business further, launching in Scotland with Director Paul Houghton, and strengthening our London and Birmingham teams, with Director appointments of Haydn Payne and Keith Fenwick.  We are tremendously grateful to all of Alliance’s friends - our clients, consultants, colleagues and suppliers.  This is a people business, it’s you that motivate us and drive us forward.  Working together we have so far weathered the storm and face 2010 with perhaps, a little more of a spring in our step.”  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As part of our commitment to the environment and good causes, this year we have decided not to send Christmas cards, but rather to make a donation to two charities chosen by our staff. The recipients will be Help the Heroes and Cancer Research.

All of our staff  would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.