Inside Property Development

Paul Higgs
  • 0,0 (0)
  • BEFEKTETÉS
  • HETENTE FRISSÜL

Inside Property Development is a no-nonsense show that rolls up its sleeves and digs into how the world of land, planning and property development really works in practice, providing rare access industry insiders and valuable insights into real-world development deals, as well as keeping you up to date with the latest industry news.  Colourful and at times controversial, the show focuses on how to do development the right way and aims to inspire and empower developers of all levels, as well as other professionals in the both the private and public sectors, to work together to build more and better homes that we can all be proud of. Connect with us on our socials for more educational content to help you achieve success in development. Millbank Land Academy Website: www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk Millbank Group Website: www.millbankgroup.co.uk Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs Connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/paul.higgs.50 Join our community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MillbankLandAcademy See all episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@millbanklandacademy1266 

  1. Can Property Development Serve Both Communities and Investors?

    1 NAPJA

    Can Property Development Serve Both Communities and Investors?

    In this episode, Paul & David Van Der Lane delve into the complexities of compulsory purchase orders (CPO) and development viability, featuring insights from David, a compulsory purchase and viability expert. They discuss the historical context of CPOs, their application in urban regeneration, and the challenges faced by local authorities in utilising these powers effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding Compulsory Purchase: Compulsory purchase powers are utilised by government entities to acquire land for public benefit, often for infrastructure projects or urban regeneration. Local authorities have specific powers, such as Section 226, to facilitate regeneration efforts. Viability Challenges: Viability is a critical aspect of property development, particularly as it relates to the existing use value of land. Developers must ensure that the residual land value from a proposed development exceeds the benchmark land value, which is typically based on existing use value plus a potential premium. Negotiation and Collaboration: Successful development often requires extensive negotiation with landowners and collaboration with local authorities. Developers should engage early with local authorities to align their proposals with public benefits and policy requirements. Flexibility in Planning Obligations: Planning policies often allow for flexibility in affordable housing requirements. If a development proposal is not viable under full policy compliance, developers may negotiate to reduce affordable housing quotas to make the project financially feasible. Importance of Evidence and Justification: Developers must provide robust evidence and justification for any deviations from planning policies, particularly regarding affordable housing. This includes demonstrating the financial viability of the project and undergoing scrutiny from independent experts on behalf of the local authority. BEST MOMENTS "Viability is a massive, massive, massive subject and becoming increasingly important as things become more and more unviable." - David "If the public benefit outweighs the importance of protecting the private rights, then essentially you've got a prima facie case." - David "It's not easy to get local authorities to do it. Unless it's pretty big and there's a pretty big benefit, they're probably not going to do it." - Paul ABOUT THE HOST  Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years' experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group. In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!  Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.   CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs⁠⁠ Millbank Land Academy: ⁠⁠https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment⁠⁠ This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠ This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1 ó 20 p
  2. Why Our Planning System Is Broken

    SZEPT. 9.

    Why Our Planning System Is Broken

    In this episode, Paul sits down with leading industry expert Esther Kurland to explore the complexities of property development, planning policies, and the challenges faced by local authorities in delivering quality housing. They discuss how design standards have evolved, the influence of government policies such as CABE and the London Plan, and the ongoing struggle between private development and the public good. KEY TAKEAWAYS Good design in property development remains a driving motivation for industry leaders. CABE was a pivotal force in raising architecture and design standards. Local authorities are increasingly under-resourced, struggling with planning challenges. Although planning has shifted toward pro-development, delivery is hampered by systemic underfunding. Balancing density and quality is essential to building sustainable communities for the future. BEST MOMENTS “Promoting good design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about building communities that last.” “CABE set the stage for a whole new way of thinking about planning and architecture.” “Local authorities simply don’t have the resources to keep up with the demands of planning.” “We’ve made planning more pro-development, but without resources, the system still doesn’t work.” “Density and quality don’t have to be in conflict—done right, they can complement each other.” HOST BIO Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years of experience in land, planning, and development, with a 100% success track record in securing planning consents. Starting with his first refurb project at 17, Paul worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land at Barratt Developments, one of the UK’s largest housebuilders. In 2002, he left the corporate world to establish Millbank Group, now a multimillion-pound, award-winning property development company. In 2013, he founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first dedicated training company for property developers, sharing insider knowledge the big housebuilders would rather keep secret. Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations at London South Bank University. LinkedIn: Paul Higgs Millbank Land Academy: millbanklandacademy.co.uk Instagram: @paulhiggsofficial YouTube: Inside Property Development This podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media.

    1 ó 46 p
  3. The Housing Crisis in Britain: Why It’s Getting Worse

    SZEPT. 2.

    The Housing Crisis in Britain: Why It’s Getting Worse

    Britain has been facing a housing shortage for decades, and the promises of 300,000 new homes a year remain unfulfilled. In this episode, Paul & Lewis Herbert explore why affordable housing is disappearing, how policy changes and planning hurdles have hurt small developers, and what it means for families struggling to buy or rent. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Housing Shortage Crisis: Britain has long failed to meet housing demands, with government targets of 300,000 homes per year largely unmet. This shortage drives up prices and rents, disproportionately affecting lower-income households. Decline of Smaller Developers: Since the late 1980s, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) builders have dwindled due to complex planning regulations and market pressures. Their decline has reduced bespoke, community-focused housing development. Impact of Policy Changes: Shifts in policy, particularly since the 1970s, have reduced the construction of social and affordable housing. The move away from council housing has increased reliance on an increasingly unaffordable private rental market. Affordability Issues: The gap between income and housing costs has widened, making homeownership harder for younger generations. Families now face much higher multiples of income to afford a home compared to previous decades. Need for a Comprehensive Strategy: Solving the crisis requires a cohesive approach that addresses housing needs at all income levels. Building more homes and ensuring affordable options are available is critical to preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable populations. BEST MOMENTS: “We haven't been building enough homes for years and years, particularly since the mid-'70s.” “The people who suffer the most... are on the bottom rung of the ladder.” “I can't support claiming we're going to build 300,000 unless I can see where the numbers come from.” “The ability to put up buildings… with modern methods… is not the only solution.” “Housing is a bit of a tragedy and it is now swallowing a far higher percentage of a lot of people's incomes.” ABOUT THE HOST  Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years' experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group. In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!  Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.   CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs⁠ Millbank Land Academy: ⁠https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial⁠ YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment⁠ This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠

    1 ó 29 p
  4. Avoid This Property Development Mistake and Build a Future That Lasts

    AUG. 26.

    Avoid This Property Development Mistake and Build a Future That Lasts

    In this episode Paul talks through the significant barriers faced by house building developers, emphasising the critical issues of land availability, planning complexities, and the current skills shortage in the construction industry, Paul shares insights on the importance of understanding the development process and not overly relying on consultants. KEY TAKEAWAYS Land and Planning Challenges: The primary barriers to growth for house building developers are the cost and availability of viable land, along with the complexities and delays in the planning system. These issues have been persistent and are worsening, leading to a significant housing shortage. Skills Shortage in Construction: There is a critical skills shortage in the construction industry due to a lack of training and apprenticeships over the years. This has made the actual building process more challenging, compounding the difficulties faced by developers. Over-Reliance on Consultants: Many developers make the mistake of being overly reliant on their consultants, particularly architects and planning consultants. It is crucial for developers to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire development process to effectively manage and instruct their consultants. Importance of Knowledge and Experience: For smaller developers, possessing a certain level of knowledge and experience is essential to navigate the complexities of property development. This knowledge helps in managing the various consultants and ensuring that the development process runs smoothly. The Insider System: A structured approach, referred to as the Insider System, is essential for successful property development. This system emphasises the importance of instructing consultants rather than merely asking for their input, highlighting the developer's role in coordinating the entire process to achieve optimal outcomes. BEST MOMENTS "The cost and availability of viable land and the planning system are the biggest barriers to growth for house building developers." "Building in a sustainable way, and in particular, protecting and looking after nature is a massively important thing." "When developers become overly reliant on their consultants, particularly architects and planning consultants, that is usually where things can go very, very wrong." ABOUT THE HOST  Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years' experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group. In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!  Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.   CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs Millbank Land Academy: https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    24 perc
  5. The Future of Housing: Challenges & Solutions for Small Developers

    AUG. 22.

    The Future of Housing: Challenges & Solutions for Small Developers

    In this episode, Paul sits down with property developers Phill Williams and James Emmons  to discuss the issues that are preventing SMEs from building new homes in the UK. Including some of the things that can be done to mitigate the risks that are making this problem worse. Paul also shares the details of a new piece of software he is creating to help developers very quickly identify whether a site is financially viable or not. KEY TAKEAWAYS The chance to develop on the grey belt is a once in a lifetime opportunity for developers. Planning in the UK is so slow and complicated that most SMEs can no longer build. They don´t have the skills to get through planning or the necessary cashflow. Dodgy lenders are actively feeding off of the complexity of the UK´s building system. Some lenders deliberately withhold funds at crucial drawdown points, knowing that the developer will no longer be able to fund the deal. The lender then takes it off of them and makes the money themselves. Often, inexperienced developers make the deal, only to realize later they missed something, and the numbers don’t stack up. Affordability is the big elephant in the room – when sales are too slow the risk for the developer becomes too high. Per sq. ft build costs has reached the point where in some parts of the country, especially where property prices are low, there is no way to make a profit. BEST MOMENTS “Someone has got to de-risk and create the opportunities for other smaller developers to build.” “Stacking the schemes correctly is absolutely crucial.” “Modular, in my opinion, isn’t going to be the main thing that solves the housing crisis.” “Modular manufacturers don’t really understand the land and planning market well enough.” “Partial funding to mitigate or share risk, I think is a way forward.” “Coming up with the scheme that's going to maximize land values is really the art of property development.” “It's really important to pay good tradespeople on time and pay them fair rates.” EPISODE RESOURCES Land Economics episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/land-economics- 101/id1750859336?i=1000711086989 ABOUT THE HOST  Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years & experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group. In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!  Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.   CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs Millbank Land Academy: https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1 ó 6 p
  6. Conquering Modern Design, Planning, and Urban Challenges with Esther Kurland part 1

    AUG. 22.

    Conquering Modern Design, Planning, and Urban Challenges with Esther Kurland part 1

    For this episode, Paul is joined by veteran planner Esther Kurland, the director of UDL, who has extensive experience, including roles at London Transport, the GLA, and several other local authorities. Esther provides an in-depth look at the challenges property developers currently face, how we got here and, importantly, how these issues can be overcome. Including, multi-time cities, planning for objectives rather than by numbers and communal spaces e.g. Play areas being shared by small groups of neighbours, which could change the density matrix. KEY TAKEAWAYS Esther's personal experience of living in a poorly designed housing estate sparked her interest in urban planning. Planning policy is still too complex.  Developers must now achieve multiple objectives including growth, public good, and financial viability. Some planners think they exist to facilitate growth, others think they exist to facilitate community good and each type of planner tends to only focus on that one thing. You need a certain density of people to get neighbourhood facilities to work. If you only build suburbs, you end up needing expensive transport infrastructure. If you plan for quality, you automatically produce a development that is the correct density for the site. Esther explains how that happens. Planning policies that say what they are trying to achieve e.g. Good ventilation encourages designers to innovate. Local authorities are critically under-resourced so developers must be prepared to engage more collaboratively. BEST MOMENTS “We literally took the policies out of those 20 different documents and put them in one little concertina booklet that you could put in a pocket.” "We seem to have been going through planning reform forever. It will settle down now, but we're still not there." “The planning system has become more and more housing target driven.” "I think we're building a lot of slums, basically in some of the schemes we see in the highest densities." EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.urbandesignlearning.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-kurland-33017115 ABOUT THE HOST  Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years' experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group.  In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!  Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.   CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs Millbank Land Academy: https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    57 perc
  7. SME Developers & the Grey Belt: Two Game-Changers for Solving the Housing Crisis

    AUG. 22.

    SME Developers & the Grey Belt: Two Game-Changers for Solving the Housing Crisis

    In this episode Paul takes a deep dive into the government’s emerging “Grey Belt” concept — and whether it could be the planning breakthrough needed to ease the UK housing crisis. Drawing on over 40 years in the housebuilding industry, Paul explains what Grey Belt land is likely to mean in practice, how it differs from traditional Green Belt, and why the viability of sites will be the make-or-break factor. You’ll hear real-world examples, policy insights, and practical tips on how developers — especially SMEs — can identify and approach these sites. If you’re serious about development opportunities in a changing planning landscape, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. KEY TAKEAWAYS The “Grey Belt” will likely refer to poor-quality or previously developed Green Belt land, often with existing buildings or dereliction. Public perception of the Green Belt is often romanticised — not all of it is pristine countryside. Proximity to existing settlements and sustainable transport links will be critical for planning approval. Viability is the key issue — high affordable housing requirements could stall many potential sites. Tools like LandTech’s Land Insight can help identify likely Grey Belt opportunities. The policy could open up new sites for development — but it won’t solve the housing crisis alone. BEST MOMENTS “There shouldn’t be any sides in this — we should all be working together to create good housing and places.” “Not all Green Belt is beautiful fields and forests — some of it is derelict and crying out for redevelopment.” “The million-dollar question is: how messy does a Green Belt site need to be before it’s classed as Grey Belt?” “If viability isn’t handled sensibly, very few of these sites will ever be developed.” HOST BIO Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years' experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. Paul undertook his first refurb project when he was just 17 and then worked his way up from labouring on building sites to becoming Head of Land for renowned plc housebuilder, Barratt Developments. He managed to escape the corporate world in 2002 to set up what is now a multimillion-pound award-winning property development company, Millbank Group. In 2013 Paul founded the Millbank Land Academy, the UK’s first training company dedicated to property development; to teach established and aspiring developers the insider secrets the big housebuilders don’t want you to know!  Paul is also a founding investor and former board director of the industry-leading PropTech Co, LandTech, and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations on the MSc Property Development at London South Bank University.   CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs Millbank Land Academy: https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulhiggsofficial YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@InsidePropertyDevelopment

    22 perc
  8. The Power of £1 Option Agreements & My 100% Planning Success Strategy

    AUG. 22.

    The Power of £1 Option Agreements & My 100% Planning Success Strategy

    Paul dives into one of the most powerful tools in a developer’s toolkit – the £1 option agreement. Despite sounding too good to be true, option agreements are a tried-and-tested way of controlling land without needing huge amounts of upfront cash. Paul explains what they are, how they work, why landowners agree to them, and how they can be used to unlock serious planning gain. KEY TAKEAWAYS Option agreements give you control, not obligation – you can secure land while buying time to add value, without committing if the market changes. Landowners benefit because developers take on the cost and risk of increasing the site’s value. The real profit comes from planning uplift – using knowledge and expertise to turn a £1m site into a £2m+ opportunity. Negotiating the right price is critical – get it wrong and the deal isn’t viable. Option agreements can also be sold or assigned on, meaning you can profit without ever completing on the land. Success depends on deep planning knowledge – anticipating objections, reverse-engineering the process, and effectively “doing the planners’ job for them.” Paul’s approach has helped him maintain a 100% planning approval track record over four decades. BEST MOMENTS “Why would I spend millions buying land if I can control it with a pound and a piece of paper?” “Option agreements buy you time – and in property development, time is everything.” “The name of the game is making the pie as big as possible, and then negotiating how it gets divided.” “I’ve never had a landowner pull out of an option agreement in 30+ years – when done right, they’re rock solid.” ABOUT THE HOST Paul Higgs is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with 40+ years’ experience in land, planning and development and a 100% success track record in winning planning consents. He worked his way up from small refurb projects to becoming Head of Land at Barratt Developments before founding his own award-winning development company, Millbank Group, in 2002. In 2013, Paul launched the Millbank Land Academy – the UK’s first training company dedicated to teaching developers the strategies the big housebuilders would rather keep to themselves. He is also a founding investor in PropTech leader LandTech and has lectured on Advanced Development Valuations at London South Bank University. CONTACT METHOD LinkedIn: Paul Higgs Millbank Land Academy: millbanklandacademy.co.uk Instagram: @paulhiggsofficial YouTube: Inside Property Development

    31 perc
Összes (59)

Névjegy

Inside Property Development is a no-nonsense show that rolls up its sleeves and digs into how the world of land, planning and property development really works in practice, providing rare access industry insiders and valuable insights into real-world development deals, as well as keeping you up to date with the latest industry news.  Colourful and at times controversial, the show focuses on how to do development the right way and aims to inspire and empower developers of all levels, as well as other professionals in the both the private and public sectors, to work together to build more and better homes that we can all be proud of. Connect with us on our socials for more educational content to help you achieve success in development. Millbank Land Academy Website: www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk Millbank Group Website: www.millbankgroup.co.uk Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-higgs Connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/paul.higgs.50 Join our community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MillbankLandAcademy See all episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@millbanklandacademy1266 

Információ

Ezeket is kedvelheti