About
Alex Potter
Since graduating from Oxford Brookes University in BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management, I have been working within the residential development industry for a decade. I am a fully MRICS qualified Chartered Planning & Development surveyor.
Significant industry contacts, proven skills and technical knowledge have been amassed working on land acquisition deals and accompanying planning applications of varying scale across London and the Home Counties.
Key project experiences have been gained from the perspectives of a FTSE 100 house builder, G15 Housing Associations and SME Developers.
Services
Planning Assessment
A comprehensive analysis of the site's realistic planning policy compliant development potential. Presenting an assessment of the unique site constraints and opportunities. Guidance then given towards a sensible unit type mix, affordable housing contributions, and density level. Finally - advising upon anticipated timescales for a successful planning consent.
Valuation
With this policy compliant development scheme assumed, a detailed land valuation will then be undertaken to advise upon the site's likely market price upon planning consent.
The proposed development will be fully priced in terms of market-researched construction costs and comparable new build property values in the local area. Finally, cash-flowing all financial inputs accurately from the point of exchange through to the last property sale.
Sale Brokerage
Sale Brokerage
After establishing the guided market price for the site, discreet and confidential introductions will be made to exclusively shortlisted developers, best suited to the particular site in terms of its type, scale and market price point etc.
Fully ensuring that the trusted companies approached have been carefully vetted for their financial security and technical competency. With a clear and proven recent track record of projects, showcasing an ability to succeed in the challenging planning process.
Past Projects
Strategic Land, Hartley, Sevenoaks, Kent
A well-contained edge of settlement Green Belt promotion site of 2.44 acres, acquired off-market for the client Esquire Developments Ltd.
A scheme of 9 luxury houses is currently being pursued via a local plan promotion strategy. Sevenoaks' emerging plan presents a window of opportunity to have the site allocated for residential use by 2027's adoption target.
Scheme GDV projected of £7.5m+.
Chelsfield Lane, Orpington, Bromley
Repeat business with a known landowner from 7 years previous. Brokered an Option + Overage Agreement between a burgeoning SME developer 'Roddy New Homes' and the vendor on this 6-acre Green Belt (half being brownfield) strategic site in south east London.
Nyes Wharf, Old Kent Road, Southwark, London
A £13.8m subject to planning site acquisition for Peabody, achieving consent for an 18-part 7 storey residential tower, for 153 apartments & commercial use at ground floor, in the emerging Old Kent Road regeneration zone in SE London.
Former Kodak Factory, Harrow, London
The final phase application of a 3-phased master planned site; a joint venture with Hyde & Barratt London.
Successfully navigating a substantial project consultants team on the way to achieving detailed planning consent for a 1226 unit apartment scheme - with office, retail and care home space.
Cape Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Negotiated the purchase of this prime brownfield site for 37 dwellings (12 houses + 25 flats) within the centre of a thriving market for Montreaux Developments Ltd, following a competitive tender process with a development agency. The site already had detailed planing consent subject to the completion of the S106 Agreement.
Led the contractual negotiations through to exchange, and also project managed some additional S73 minor variations to the scheme, to create additional value.
Strategic land - Westerham, Sevenoaks, Kent
Identified small edge of settlement Green Belt release site, and approached landowners to establish sale potential, before then introducing Esquire Developments as a purchaser.
Formulated the local plan promotion strategy after initially exploring a pre-application meeting with Sevenoaks Council. Brokered the successful exchange of an Option Agreement, as well as navigating through an overage complication attached.
Haldan Road, Higham's Park, Waltham Forrest, London
Sourced an off-market lock-up garage backland site, and successfully brokered a subject to planning deal between the landowner and Regent Land Ltd. Site achieved planning consent in January 2024 - and awaiting finalisation of the S106 with the council.
Creek Road, Greenwich, London
Successfully negotiated the S106 Agreement for a 100% affordable scheme for Hyde, utilising additional GLA grant for 20 shared ownership and 6 Affordable Rent flats. Also securing the £6.3m design and build contract with a construction company, and agreeing a commercial lease with a gym operator.
7.5 acre Strategic Promotion Site, Tandridge, Surrey
Led the contractual negotiations and detailed site/financial analysis for an Option agreement between a longstanding garden nursery operator and Octagon Developments.
The site will eventually deliver 50+ houses in this desirable edge of settlement village location once fully consented and released of its current Green Belt status, following a local plan site promotion strategy.
Scotts Road, Bromley, London
Whilst at Persimmon Homes, assisted in the acquisition and detailed planing application to redevelop a light industrial site within a heavily residential area. Achieving planning with the London Borough of Bromley for a 3 x 3-storey block scheme of 38 apartments.
Gouge Avenue, Gravesend, Kent
Sourced a small off-market site in the Northfleet area of Gravesend. Previously a dilapidated lock-up garage site, which had fallen into disrepair.
After identifying the landowner following some initial challenges, due to outdated Land Registry documents, an unconditional sale was achieved with a local commercial property investor, who brought the units up to date to re-let.
Church Road, Deal, Kent
Led the negotiations for Persimmon Homes, disposing of 46 x affordable units to a Kent based Housing Association, with a Golden Brick and Development Agreement contracts secured.