Source: Sheffield Telegraph 01/12/06
David Fletcher, interim marketing director at Creative Sheffield and a member of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce's SPARC committee, comments on a new initiative to ensure the city as a whole benefits from the experience and expertise of major players within the property sector.
Evidence that Sheffield is making progress in the commercial property sector is the establishment of a quarterly Development Forum for key players working in the sector. The Forum will enable them to discuss the hot topics of the day and share ideas on how best to continue Sheffield’s current success.
Property is central to Sheffield’s future: we need to be able to offer major companies and organisations the right size, type and location of property to attract them here.
The property experts who live and work here will find the Forum a vital arena at which they can share their knowledge, with the aim of ensuring the right buildings and the right facilities are developed.
Creative Sheffield, Sheffield City Council and the Chamber of Commerce will host the Forum, seeking positive contributions on a broad range of topics, such as the Council’s Planning service, performance and policy development, though the group won’t be looking at specific planning applications.
We may examine the need for more sustainable high quality design solutions, and the need to reduce the climate change implications of the new developments that are redefining the City.
Around a dozen experts - developers, development-related consultants, end users, etc – will give their views so their expertise contributes to the wider good of the city.
As Andrew Denniff, Policy & Representation Manager, at the Chamber of Commerce, says:
“The Forum will be where the key issues affecting the public and private sectors are debated and where key influencers can both advise and learn.”
David Curtis, Director of Development Services for Sheffield City Council is adamant that this will not be a talking shop.
“We are promoting robust dialogue and the opportunity to air problems and issues, resulting in key actions for both public and private sector partners.”
Ian Bromley, Creative Sheffield’s Chief Executive says, “Sheffield is increasingly known as a ‘development-friendly’ city and this Forum should enable those of us responsible for projecting this image more widely to raise our game and continue attracting business here for the quality of available space, as much as for the lifestyle and manufacturing expertise.”
The Forum will further enhance communication between the development services function of the Council and the private sector as a first step.
We will be inviting a rotating number of architects, developers, property agents, planning consultants and engineers to join the Forum.
It’s an innovative approach to an important task and we’re hoping those invited to contribute will rise to the challenge.