Property experts from Gloucestershire gathered at Gloucester Food Dock this morning to discuss current issues affecting the sector.

The latest Gloucestershire Property Forum, organised by Jo Bruce, MD of Your Voice Marketing and hosted by event partners Harrison Clark Rickerbys, SF Planning  and The Commercial Branch, took place at The Hop Kettle Brewery and was a sold out event. with about 80 people in attendance.

The theme for the morning's discussion tackled the challenges and opportunities faced by developers in bringing sites to fruition, covering topics such as land and site acquisition, financing, legal requirements and planning regulations.

The panel was chaired by David Jones of Evans Jones  and consisted of David Evans of Gloucester City Council; Ken Elliott of L&R Group, Gloucester Food Dock; Mark Carter of Harrison Clark Rickerbys; Mark Godson of SF Planning and Miles Wallace of The Commercial Branch.

With the Food Dock as its backdrop, Ken Elliott, developer of the £3.5m development, brought his insight into the challenges faced in bringing the previously disused dockside building back to life.

City growth and delivery manager David Evans highlighted the essential role of local authorities in supporting development and bringing public funding to regeneration project, whilst planning expert Mark Godson discussed the increasingly complex and pressurised planning system, describing it as a barrier for many developers. He advised engaging early with planners which allows the opportunity to shape local plans at policy level.

Mark Carter of Harrison Clark Rickerbys raised the myriad legal requirements faced by developers, offering insights on avoiding common pitfalls and smoothing the process to prevent legal blockages, whilst Miles Wallace offered his advice on what developers can do to increase the likelihood of positive funding support.

David Jones, chair of Gloucestershire Property Forum, said: "We hold regular events and today was about what we can do from a practical point of view, what the blockers are and how we can assist developers to ensure the right projects come to fruition, bringing vital regeneration to our towns and cities."

Mark Godson of SF Planning emphasised the importance of the forum for the property sector. He said: "Collaboration is key in meeting and mitigating the challenges and barriers to development, which is why discussions like those happening at the forum are so important."

Mark Carter added: "It's great to have a forum like this which has brought together a range of professionals and developers to discuss these challenges and how we can deal with them."

At the end of the forum, Mr Jones told Punchline: "There were some great discussions and great questions from the floor and it was a superb event. I can't wait until the next one on May 20."

Ken Elliott said the discussions had been interesting and he felt it was a very good meeting.

He said the food dock was filling up well with just four units available.

"Chuck Burgers are opening tomorrow and I'm sure they're going to do fantastically well," he said. "We've got two more opening at the end of this month.

"We need to fill those gaps with the right operators. We are looking for Asian operators, tapas and fish-based cuisine. We're very happy to talk to anyone who has experience. in those areas. Please get in touch anyone who feels they would like to have a look and take one of the premises we've got left."

Mark Owen, editor of Punchline-Gloucester.com, who attended the event, said: "It was a jam-packed event with a great buzz about it. There was so much to learn from this dynamic and enthusiastic room full of business professionals.  

"But for me, the overriding message that came across is that out planning system is flawed and under- resourced and understaffed. Without more government funding, which we know is not available, nothing will fundamentally change. It will be frustratingly slow."

For further information on the Gloucestershire Property Forum or to get involved with future events, email jobruce@yourvoicemarketing.co.uk.