DEVELOPMENT VIABILITY CONSULTANTS FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

About

JJ Viability (JJV) is a consultancy specialising in the provision of advice on development viability to the public sector. We have worked for planning authorities and understand the importance of affordable housing and the need for objective and independent assessments of scheme viability.

Financial Viability Assessments

JJV assess development viability on behalf of planning authorities with respect to a variety of planning application types (see Projects section of website). Our assessments critically analyse development values, costs, approaches and we can support authorities at pre-application, application stage, at Planning Committee and through the completion of a Section 106 Agreement which can involve advice on provisions relating to affordable housing and viability review mechanisms. JJV are also able to provide representation at Planning Appeals & Inquiries as Expert Witnesses.

Infrastructure In-Kind Assessments

JJV can assist local authorities with assessments relating to the payment of Community Infrastructure Levy liabilities via the provision of on-site social infrastructure. We can agree an appropriate sum to offset against CIL liabilities with an applicant, including amounts for construction costs and land where appropriate. Infrastructure requirements such as schools, healthcare, parks and community facilities are some of the typical infrastructure asks of planning authorities.

Viability Review Mechanism Assessments

Most major residential-led planning application should secure viability review mechanisms through a Section 106 agreement. As well as being able to provide advice to make sure review mechanism clauses agreed at application stage are robust, we are able to assess review mechanism submissions made by developers to local planning authorities following the triggering of a viability review, to evaluate if further contributions for affordable housing can be viably provided.

Viability Review Mechanism Audit

Review mechanisms secured in S106 agreements in recent years are starting to be triggered. JJV can help planning authorities form a database of review mechanisms secured in their area that identifies whether a review may be due. This can help authorities enforce planning obligations and could help secure additional developer contributions.

Property Market Reports / Update

Local authorities are increasingly seeking to be informed of market trends to assist decision making. This may include understanding the local and wider national development market activity providing a basis of good decision making in areas including delivering council built homes & policy formation. JJV can provide planning authorities with a bespoke market report or snapshot outlining key information on market conditions, providing a greater understanding of transaction/development activity.

Policy & Guidance Formation

JJV have experience in developing local and regional policy and guidance on development viability. We are able offer advice to planning authorities in respect of Planning Obligations or Development Viability Supplementary Planning Documents which can help planning authorities form a more robust approach to considering development viability.

Change of Use - Value & Marketing Assessment

Change of use applications from commercial to residential frequently involves preserving heritage or social value uses, such as public houses, or preventing the loss of potential employment opportunities. Applicants may be required to prove that the commercial use is no longer viable and that the property was marketed appropriately for a minimum duration. JJV can assist authorities by assessing whether the marketed value was reasonable, helping planning officers determine the suitability of granting planning permission.

Financial Viability Assessments

Infrastructure In-Kind Assessments

Viability Review Mechanism Assessments

Viability Review Mechanism Audit

Property Market Reports / Update

Change of Use - Value & Marketing Assessment

Financial Viability Assessments

Infrastructure In-Kind Assessments

Viability Review Mechanism Assessments

Property Market Reports / Update

Change of Use - Value & Marketing Assessment

Financial Viability Assessments

Infrastructure In-Kind Assessments

Viability Review Mechanism Assessments

Property Market Reports / Update

Change of Use - Value & Marketing Assessment

Financial Viability Assessments

Infrastructure In-Kind Assessments

Viability Review Mechanism Assessments

Property Market Reports / Update

Change of Use - Value & Marketing Assessment

Services

JJV can provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of public authorities. These include:

Financial Viability Assessments & related S106 Advice
Infrastructure In-Kind Assessments
Viability Review Mechanism Assessments
Viability Review Mechanism Audit
Property Market Reports & Update
Policy/Guidance Formation
Change of Use - Value and Marketing Assessment

Projects

At JJV, we provide advice and support to boroughs on a range of application types including Full Applications and Section 73s/Non-Material Amendments. We have extensive experience in assessing the development viability of schemes ranging from small sites to complex large mixed-use regeneration projects. We have worked as expert witnesses on planning appeals and inquiries, as well as in respect of public examinations, and have taken lead roles in producing development plan policy and guidance.

Our expertise is in assessing the viability of a range of development types including:

Build for Sale
Build to Rent
Co-living
Student Accommodation
Senior Living
Estate Regeneration
Small Sites/Extensions
Mixed Use Schemes/Supermarket Developments
Change of Use - Value and Marketing Assessment
Change of Tenure within Permitted Schemes

Strategic Scheme: Dagenham Green, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Joe led the review of the applicant’s submitted viability assessment on behalf of the Mayor of London for the scheme on this large site (3,500 homes) that won Planning Permission of the Year at the Planning Awards. He was instrumental in increasing the affordable housing offer to 50% so the scheme could follow the Fast Track Route and also led the review of the affordable housing and review mechanism provisions in the Section 106 Agreement.

Co-Living: 56 Marsh Wall, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Joshim acted for the planning authority and helped secure a substantial financial contribution of £46.7m, equivalent of 35% affordable housing from this proposal to develop 795 Co-Living units. This involved undertaking an assessment to establish what financial contribution equated to 35% affordable housing as well as testing the scheme's ability to deliver up to that target.

Student Accommodation: The Hale, London Borough of Haringey

Joe led the review of the applicant’s submitted viability assessment on behalf of the Mayor of London for this student accommodation scheme, securing a substantial increase to the financial contribution for the provision of affordable housing in the borough. Joe also advised on the review mechanism provisions in the Section 106 Agreement to ensure they were robust.

Public Inquiry: Westferry Printworks, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Joshim acted on behalf of the planning authority as the Viability Expert Witness at the Public Inquiry for the c.1500 unit proposal. He argued the need for mid-stage review mechanisms and for robust provisions in the Section 106 Agreement relating to the affordable housing cap and how any surplus identified through the late-stage viability review should be shared. The appeal was subsequently dismissed by the Secretary of State and a new application proposing 35% affordable housing has since been approved.

Build to Rent/Sell & Shopping Centre: The Mall, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Joe led the review of the applicant’s submitted viability assessment and the Section 106 Agreement on behalf of the Mayor of London for this large-scale mixed-use scheme that proposes to regenerate the existing shopping centre and provide 538 homes including 495 Build to Rent units and affordable housing equivalent to 31%.

Late-Stage Review: 161 Denmark Hill, London Borough of Southwark

Joshim undertook the review of information submitted following the triggering of this late stage viability review. His role involved reviewing and advising the Council with respect to the provisions of the S106 Agreement, as well as a critical assessment of development value and cost information submitted, placing the Council in a good position to secure additional contributions for additional affordable housing in the borough.

Senior Housing: Watchtower House, London Borough of Barnet

Joe led the review of the applicant’s submitted viability assessment on behalf of the Mayor of London for this scheme which proposes to provide 175 homes for older people and secured an increased financial contribution for the provision of affordable housing in the borough. Joe also advised on the affordable housing and review mechanism provisions in the S106 Agreement.

Co-Living: 52-58 Chigwell Road, London Borough of Redbridge

Joshim was instructed by the London Borough of Rebridge to undertake an assessment of the first Co-Living development proposed in the borough. As an emerging use class, Joshim ensured the approach and assumptions made in viability evidence were robust. Joshim helped secure a financial contribution for affordable housing for the scheme which was approved at Planning Committee.

Council-Led Regeneration: Clichy Estate, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Joshim represented the London Borough of Tower Hamlets' planning department in the review of the viability assessment submitted by the Council's Capital Delivery Team. Costs and values were carefully assessed in line with market evidence to determine the maximum levels of contribution. The scheme subsequently gained approval at planning committee with a high proportion of affordable housing.

Small Site: 185 Tower Bridge Road, London Borough of Southwark

Joshim has undertaken numerous instructions on behalf of the London Borough of Southwark to review viability evidence for planning applications on smaller schemes/extensions to secure contributions under the Council's small sites policy. With respect to the assessment of the scheme on the 185 Tower Bridge Road site, Joshim was able to meet the needs of the Council by expediting his robust assessment which enabled an informed decision-making process.

Change of Use Value and Marketing Assessment: 131 Globe Road, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Joshim reviewed information for this change of use application from commercial to residential accommodation to assess whether the marketing carried out met policy requirements. He assessed whether the sought rental value was in line with the market for the duration set out within the development plan. This helped the planning department make an informed decision.

Strategic Scheme: Dagenham Green, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Co-Living: 56 Marsh Wall, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Student Accommodation: The Hale, London Borough of Haringey

Public Inquiry: Westferry Printworks, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Build to Rent/Sell & Shopping Centre: The Mall, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Late-Stage Review: 161 Denmark Hill, London Borough of Southwark

Senior Housing: Watchtower House, London Borough of Barnet

Co-Living: 52-58 Chigwell Road, London Borough of Redbridge

Council-Led Regeneration: Clichy Estate, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Small Site: 185 Tower Bridge Road, London Borough of Southwark

Change of Use Value and Marketing Assessment: 131 Globe Road, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Strategic Scheme: Dagenham Green, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Co-Living: 56 Marsh Wall, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Student Accommodation: The Hale, London Borough of Haringey

Public Inquiry: Westferry Printworks, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Build to Rent/Sell & Shopping Centre: The Mall, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Late-Stage Review: 161 Denmark Hill, London Borough of Southwark

Senior Housing: Watchtower House, London Borough of Barnet

Co-Living: 52-58 Chigwell Road, London Borough of Redbridge

Council-Led Regeneration: Clichy Estate, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Small Site: 185 Tower Bridge Road, London Borough of Southwark

Change of Use Value and Marketing Assessment: 131 Globe Road, London Borough of Tower Hamlets

People

Our recognised viability consultants are RICS accredited Chartered Surveyors who understand the importance of high-quality advice on development viability and affordable housing to Planning Authorities.

Contact Joshim Uddin:

Tel: 07881114965

Joshim.uddin@jjviability.co.uk

Connect with Joshim

Contact Joseph Ward:

Tel: 07881115396

Joseph.ward@jjviability.co.uk

Connect with Joseph

Joshim Uddin MRICS - Director

Joshim is an award winning chartered surveyor (RICS Valuation Surveyor of the Year 2023) and is well recognised in the planning & development sector, primarily from his success in implementing the first income generating commercial development viability service in a local authority setting at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. He has advised numerous local authorities on viability matters as part of the commercial offering whilst heading up the team within Tower Hamlets, a leading London borough on development viability matters.

Joshim's expertise stems from the Valuation Office Agency (Executive Agency of HMRC) where he undertook property valuations for a variety of purposes including development viability. He has been appointed by a number of local planning authorities as a viability consultant, has presented to planning committees and has acted as an Expert Witness at planning appeals/inquiries.

Joshim has helped form and implement Local Plan policy, CIL Charging Schedules, and guidance on developer contributions. Joshim has an active relationship with the RICS, representing the public sector on the Valuation Professional Group Panel.

Listen to Joshim's interview

Joseph Ward MRICS - Director

Joe is an industry recognised chartered surveyor, having qualified in 2012.

His work as a senior advisor on development viability at the Greater London Authority included assessing the viability of complex strategic planning applications across London, significantly improving affordable housing contributions on a number of occasions.

Joe has led the adoption of local guidance on viability, is a co-author of the draft London Plan Guidance on development viability and has produced viability evidence in support of the London Plan and a Local Plan and CIL Charging Schedule.

He sat on the government’s Technical Panel for viability which considered the content of Viability Planning Practice Guidance, as well as on the RICS' Planning and Development Expert Working Group and was a founding member and EDI Champion for the Greater London Authority’s RICS Network.

Highlights & Core Values

Public Sector Focus

JJV recognise the level of trust placed in viability consultants by planning authorities. JJV will only act for public authorities and do not accept instructions from the private sector or where there may be a potential conflict of interest.

Recognised

Our Directors are well recognised within the planning and development sector and have experience of advising multiple planning authorities on development viability matters. Joe has advised the Mayor of London, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government whilst both Joshim and Joe have worked with the RICS.

Social Value

JJV understand the life cycle of housing delivery and the need for affordable homes which is why as part of our social awareness initiative, we'll be actively supporting local housing/homeless charities & shelters in various locations through donations of our annual profit. Our belief in ensuring housing needs are met spans beyond our work, reinforcing our commitment to positive social impact.

Relatable

We have extensive experience in the public sector understanding resourcing challenges and the need for and importance of affordable housing. We are relatable because we are very familiar with local authority practices and the processes planning authorities often need to follow.

Training Videos

At JJV, we believe that it's important that development viability is accessible and easily understood. With this in mind we have created a series of complimentary training videos for Planning Officers and Committee Members to help demystify development viability.

If you would like to discuss any further bespoke training needs, feel free to get in touch.