Spatial Studies
Real estate market knowledge for investors, developers and policy makers
Spatial studies look at the whole market for employment land in a defined geographical area. This may be in the form of Employment Land Studies for local planning authorities,evidence for planning applications or insights for investors making locational decisions.
We undertake research on geographical areas to help clients understand how local and regional real estate markets are changing. We provide detailed assessments of market supply and demand dynamics. We explain the forces driving change, their impact on the ground and their prospective influences in the future. Our output directly informs our clients’ decision-making and is used widely in providing evidence bases for planning applications.
Our advice is always clear, thoughtful and directional.
A selection of previous spatial studies clients...
Berkeley Commercial; Buckinghamshire County Council; Carter Jonas; Greater London Authority; Hill Street Holdings; Knight Frank; Lambert Smith Hampton; Legal & General; London Borough of Barnet; London Borough of Camden; London Borough of Islington; London Borough of Lewisham; London Borough of Wandsworth; London Development Agency; National Audit Office; Needspace; Obsidian; Park Royal Partnership; Roger Tym & Partners; Scottish Widows; Segro; South London Partnreship; St Bride’s; Stanhope Properties; West End Partnership; West Oxon District Council and Wycombe District Council.
Recent Projects
The following is a brief review of some recent work undertaken by Ramidus for our growing client base.
Much of our work contains market/business sensitivities, and we are therefore only able to show a small cross section of work.
London Borough of Islington
Appointed by Islington to undertake an Employment Land Study. The work involves a particular focus on flexible workspace and the role of smaller premises in supporting growth companies. The work involves a comprehensive analysis of all businesses in the borough.
London Borough of Richmond
Alongside Roger Tym & Partners, a land and premises study to prepare evidence-based, economic rationale for the retention of employment premises in light of recommendations of NPPF.
London Borough of Wandsworth
A workplace study looking at requirements of new and growing sectors, particularly digital and tech (‘digitech’) firms. The work took account of the provision of affordable, flexible ‘open’ workspace including managed space, co-working space, incubators and accelerators, as well as low-cost accommodation for start-up, early stage and growing enterprises.
London Borough of Lewisham
With Roger Tym & Partners, undertook an Employment Land Review in Lewisham. Ramidus’ role was to analyse the industrial and office property markets in the borough, and make policy recommendations over the future protection and provision of land for the respective markets.
South London Partnership
Appointed by the SLP (Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton) to undertake an industrial land and business premises sub-regional study. The work took a strategic perspective on employment land across the boroughs, providing an agenda for joint working and co-operation.
London Borough of Camden
We have recently supported Roger Tym & Partners in an Employment Land Study for Camden. The work involved a detailed audit of all the borough’s commercial and industrial markets in order to make policy recommendations relating to future supply-demand balances.
London Borough of Barnet
Appointed by Barnet to update the previous ELR completed in 2009 in order to support the review of the Local Plan. The ELR provided a robust evidence base to support future Article 4 Directions removing permitted development rights for change of use from B1 and B8 to residential. The work assessed the current supply of employment land in the borough including market analysis; projected the demand for employment land for a range of employment uses, and considered various policy responses.
City of Westminster
A major study assessing the impact of prime residential property on the borough of Westminster. The project assessed a large amount of evidence and helped to provide Council officers with a very detailed picture of the market for homes valued at over £2m. This is a highly political topic and output from the project underwent intense scrutiny.
Mayor's Office (Greater London Authority)
Ramidus has undertaken the four most recent editions of the London Office Policy Review (2007, 2009, 2012, 2017). This is a strategic assessment of London’s office market, influencing the spatial planning policies of the London Plan. LOPR is highly influential in determining the GLA’s stance on office provision in the capital.
City of London Corporation
The project quantified and described the breadth and depth of the City’s office stock, and described the stock’s occupational profile and how this has changed over recent years. We undertook the same exercise for the City Fringe. We examined records on 3,000 buildings, adding up to 106 million sq ft, and encompassing 6,900 occupational records.
Mayor's Office (Greater London Authority)
Ramidus contributed to a study led by URS which examined the evolution of Incubators, Accelorators and Co-working spaces in London. The project involved extensive case study work, examination of business models and mapping of centres.