Simon Elliott
Associate, Planning, Socioeconomics & Wellbeing
As an experienced socioeconomist, Simon helps to uplift development values by assessing their contribution to the local society.
As an experienced socioeconomist, Simon helps to uplift development values by assessing their contribution to the local society.
Simon assists developers in the promotion of sites through the strategic planning process by undertaking comprehensive studies in supply and demand and economic and social need assessments, and by identifying those all-important unique selling points for a site that make it stand out from the competition.
His diligent, solution-driven approach has led to him providing crucial research for the success of several high-profile schemes including the Emirates Stadium, new White Hart Lane stadium, Stadium MK and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He’s also undertaken numerous studies for housing schemes across the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, and redevelopments including the repurposing of a major retail store into the first UK Hilton Moto.
Undertaking investigative economic research, Simon offers evidence-based consultancy on the optimum housing mix, employment, education and health infrastructure surrounding a scheme, beneficial to the local society. His reports are given substantial weight in development planning decisions, often refuting local economic harm and dovetailing well-designed schemes with the needs of the community.
Simon gets under the skin of the local economy and has a track record of positively influencing the level of Section 106 payments.
Is Gove the One to Solve the Housing Need Conundrum?
I've been pondering what to do for a blog over the last few months, trying to avoid one about housing need. But when our newly minted (deep breath) Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (SoSfLUH&C?) commented that the data currently used is "probably out of date", I couldn't resist.