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Clear answers on viability, from the first land offer to the final phase.
Viability advice is a core part of our Cost & Commercial service. Because our appraisals draw on detailed cost knowledge, they reflect the real infrastructure and abnormal costs a site carries. We support landowners, developers and their funders on projects of every size, from a single site appraisal to cash flow management for a major development programme. We provide practical steps to boost the viability of a scheme when initial reviews result in an insufficient land value.
Why Choose Brookbanks for Development Viability
Viability is shaped by many factors, from planning policy and infrastructure requirements to market conditions. Our specialists bring cost planning, commercial and development experience together, so that appraisals rest on well-evidenced costs rather than broad assumptions.
We test options across a range of scenarios, set out the risks clearly and help clients plan when and how money will be spent. That gives landowners, developers and funders the certainty they need to make decisions early and with confidence.
Key Client Benefits
- We provide appraisals built on detailed, evidence-based cost information.
- We help clients establish realistic land values and negotiate with confidence.
- We give clear cash flow projections that align with the delivery programme.
- We help clients recover value from Section 106 contributions that have not been spent as intended.
- We help clients capture the full value of a scheme in viability, including programme certainty, placemaking, social value and environmental benefits.
Specialist Services
Development and Viability Appraisals
Our development and viability appraisals give clients a reliable understanding of a project’s financial performance and potential returns. We evaluate development costs, revenues, and delivery strategies, testing viability across a range of scenarios.
By combining commercial insight with detailed cost analysis, we help clients identify opportunities, understand constraints and decide how best to bring a scheme forward while protecting its value.
Read our insight on development viability and certainty for smaller developers.
Land Value Negotiation
Land value negotiations depend on a clear understanding of what a site can support. Our specialists provide detailed commercial analysis, cost advice and development appraisals that inform acquisition, disposal and partnership discussions.
We help establish realistic land values that reflect a site’s opportunities, constraints and risks. Our experts can also lead negotiations directly with other parties on our clients’ behalf, helping to protect long-term project viability.
Cash Flow Planning and Development Finance
Our cash flow plans set out anticipated project costs across the delivery period, helping clients align expenditure with the programme and manage financial risk. We support development finance planning and fund monitoring, giving funders and investors the information they need.
Regular monitoring and updated forecasts keep clients in control of project finances as programmes change. Clear cost and cash flow information also helps clients reassess expenditure and plan future phases of delivery.
See how our build cost estimate supported cost planning and cash flow management Hayle North Quay.
Section 106 Strategy and Contribution Recovery
Section 106 agreements secure contributions from developers towards local infrastructure and services, and they can have a significant effect on viability. We advise on Section 106 and infrastructure delivery strategies, including where delivering infrastructure directly may be an alternative to paying a financial contribution.
We also help clients identify and recover unspent Section 106 contributions where funds have not been used within the agreed timescales or in line with the planning obligations. Our specialists review the legal agreement, expenditure records and supporting documents to establish entitlement and support clients throughout the recovery process.
Find out more in our webinar summary on Section 106 contributions.
Sectors We Support
We advise landowners, developers, housebuilders, housing associations, funders and delivery partners. Much of our viability work supports residential and mixed-use development, from individual sites to strategic land and new settlements, together with mixed schemes that include commercial and leisure uses such as hotels.
Talk to Our Development Viability Specialists
Contact a member of our Development Viability team directly, or email hello@brookbanks.com and one of our experts will get back to you.
Related insights
FAQs
What does a development appraisal include?
A development appraisal brings together the expected costs and revenues of a scheme, along with the proposed delivery strategy. We test these across a range of scenarios so that clients can see how changes in costs, values or timing affect returns.
Can you negotiate land value on our behalf?
Yes. As well as preparing the commercial analysis and appraisals that support a negotiation, our experts can lead discussions directly with the other party. This helps clients agree land values that reflect the real opportunities and constraints of a site.
How does cash flow planning support development viability?
A cash flow plan shows when costs are expected to fall across the delivery programme. This helps clients and funders plan drawdowns, manage financial risk and keep expenditure aligned with progress on site.