The Optimis Experience

Optimis Consulting began in 2009 and although the company is new, the levels of service and experience that is provided benefits from over 17 years of involvement in the property industry. This together with various professional qualifications ensures that we can offer the best advice to our broad range of clients.

Qualifications

As Members of the Town Planning Institute we have proudly been chartered town planners since 1995. Having been trained by English Heritage to become a Conservation Officer in 1997 and recently become an Affiliate Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Justin Wickersham has been involved in many projects where historic assets are proposed to be altered or affected.

Awards

The greatest achievement that we aim for is the satisfaction of our customers and the gratitude for helping people negotiate the planning process.  It is also enjoyable receiving recognition from fellow professionals and in February 2011, Optimis Consulting were Finalists in the Royal Town Planning Institute UK Planning Consultant of Year 2010.  The judges were impressed by our exemplary standards to our profession, something that we believe is an essential quality in acting in our clients’ interests.  We will continue to strive for Awards as this demonstrates to our clients that they are working with a company that cares about their requirements and has the professional expertise to achieve success.

Local Authority Experience

Having worked within the public sector, there is conside4rable knowledge and awareness of what drives local authorities, from the political pressures to the processes and procedures that are often held together by bureaucratic red tape. Town planning is highly influenced by democratic power, given to non-professional people and it is essential that any project is cognisant of the local politics as well as the degree of ‘professional freedom’ that the planning officers are able to exhibit.

Some local authorities are more responsive than others, some more uncertain in their advice and a few that are positive towards development. At Optimis we try to work with the local officers and members to generate the best relationship for the benefit of our clients. We respect the role of the local authority and their views without necessarily agreeing with them and this provides a professionally healthy basis for discussions, because we have worked for local authorities and understand their pressures.

House Building Experience

Having worked within the outbuilding industry, acquiring land, promoting land for development and disposing of property assets, at Optimis, we have a very strong record of understanding the needs, particularly, of the house building industry. Whether land is acquired for long term strategic ambition or short term immediate supply of units, we understand the pressures on developers to manage the risk versus reward in all aspect of acquisition but particularly in respect to the planning process.

The experience also extends to sites of single units up to major regeneration projects including mixed use developments and we have acute awareness of the pressure of viability for development. Having undertaken many residual land calculations as well as operating the Three Dragons and HCA Viability assessment models, we have experience of negotiating viable schemes within the requirements of planning as well as any technical constraints or affordable housing requirements.

Property Management Experience

We have had various experiences managing property from the simple day to day tasks to the disposal of assets and preparation of information to assist in the disposal of property. Understanding the market, especially in respect of a disposal is essential, as is recognition of the powers of the planning system to ensure that the property asset is optimised. We have many years of experience of strategic planning and promotion through the planning system to ensure that property assets are maximised for current or future value and we are well qualified to manage assets on behalf of clients who may require a medium to long term programme of planning promotion.