In December 2008 the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) commissioned CB Richard Ellis to carry out a major study reviewing the impact of the combined global credit and resource crisis in the development sector, what this means for the delivery of housing, commercial development and other infrastructure, and what actions need to be taken to ensure that development momentum is regained as soon as possible when market conditions improve.
The study will used panels of industry experts from across the public and private sector to develop a set of robust, peer reviewed recommendations for action. The project explores four key questions which will shape the future:
What will the property market look like?
What might the new financial and delivery models be?
What action should the public sector be taking now and in the future?
What does this mean for delivery skills in the region?
Over 200 delegates attended the "Beyond the Crunch" conference on 25th March, which was deemed to be a great success.
Chaired by Peter Sissons and with keynote speeches from MP's Iain Wright and Jonathan Shaw, the conference represented the next step in developing practical recommendations to speed up the recovery in development by stimulating debate between senior public and private sector representatives.
The conference was addressed by Jim Brathwaite, SEEDA Chairman and Pam Alexander, SEEDA Chief Executive. Peter Damesick, Head of UK Research at CB Richard Ellis gave an outlook on the South East Property Market. Key issues facing development beyond the crunch were outlined by Jeremy Freeman, Senior Director Regeneration & Development at CB Richard Ellis, Paul Carter, Leader Kent County Council, John Stewart from the Home Builders Federation and Phil Jenkins, Royal Bank of Canada.
Sarah Whitney, Managing Director Regeneration & Development at CB Richard Ellis and Richard Klawiter, Partner at DLA Piper Chicago led on bringing the audience up to date on emerging recommendations of the study.
Jonathan Shaw gave an address to the region focusing on the effect of the recession on the economy of the South East and spoke about the impact and challenges now facing businesses and families across the South East before the delegates engaged in an afternoon of round table debates to develop a regional response to the emerging findings and recommendations of the study.
The outcomes of the delegates' debates sontributed to the final report and practical recommendations of the major regional study.
