Euan Kellie Property Solutions

Friday again so time for Manchester Flashback Friday 🏗️ I am a big fan of this one… The view this week is from Castlefield – specifically, the Giant’s Basin (named after the deep stone weir that carries the overflow of water from the Bridgewater Canal into the River Medlock) looking south/ south-east towards Castlefield Basin. The top photo was very kindly provided by my good friend Alan Parry-Davies and is from the late 1970s when most of the historic canals and buildings at Castlefield were derelict (notably the area was designated as a Conservation Area in 1979). The two buildings in the background are, from left to right, Merchant’s Warehouse and Middle Warehouse. The bottom photo is from earlier this month and shows the incredible restoration and regeneration that has taken place over the past few decades, with major schemes brought forward by Castlefield Estates Limited. This includes, from left to right: Merchant’s Bridge, designed by Whitby Bird & Partners (now Ramboll) which was constructed in 1996; Merchants Warehouse which was restored between 1993 and 1997, designed by SimpsonHaugh; and, Middle Warehouse which was converted in 1987/88, designed by Leach Rhodes Walker Ltd. RENAKER’s Crown Street development is also visible in the background behind Middle Warehouse. #manchester #castlefield #manchesterflashbackfriday

We enjoyed joining yesterdays webinar by The Planner RTPI and Urban Intelligence, which explored how tech is changing Local Plan making. It was interesting to hear from Andrew Turner (Milton Keynes Council) and Ashleigh Audley (Central Bedfordshire Council) on how new tech is being put into practice in their respective Local Authorities. There was also some helpful insight into the tech world from Josh Hoare-Matthews, with an understanding of potential application, pitfalls, and benefits from Alphie Murphy O’Reilly. There was plenty of food for thought on how technology can be better applied in planning practice, and some good conversations on how we ensure the use of tech is maximised, noting the need to upskill Officers. There is clearly still a great deal of scope to more effectively embed technology into the planning system to the benefit of Local Authority resourcing, and positive planning outcomes.

It was fantastic to hear Andy Burnham outline his ambitious plans to deliver 75,000 new houses in the current Parliament at last week’s Place North West #Resi event – held at a sunny Bridgewater Hall. Plans are afoot to acquire underused land from the NHS, Church of England, Network Rail and others to bring forward additional housing sites on top of those already identified within Places for Everyone. The Mayor believes that this approach, combined with plans to absorb eight local train routes into the Bee Network by 2028, will provide a real boost to the delivery of sustainable affordable housing, close to town centres and commuter train stations. This is exactly the sort of lateral thinking the industry needs to make a tangible difference to our housing shortage. The Euan Kellie Property Solutions team are currently working with four of GM’s local planning authorities to progress quality, much needed affordable housing schemes. No doubt, collaboration, not just across local authority boundaries, but with major landowners like the NHS, is key to unlocking sites and delivering affordable housing. 

Friday again so time for Manchester Flashback Friday 🏗️ The view this week is from Chester Road looking north-east towards the city centre. The top photo was kindly provided by Chris Burnett of Chris Burnett Associates and is from January 2007 (Beetham Tower had only topped out a few months before). The bottom photo is from earlier this month and shows the significant change in this part of the city centre. From left to right: St George’s Gardens designed by Ollier Smurthwaite Architects on behalf of DeTrafford; Viadux by Salboy; Fusion Group’s 28 storey student scheme which is currently being delivered by Domis Construction; and RENAKER’s Crown Street, The Blade, and Three60, all designed by SimpsonHaugh. In the foreground is the reclad Thompson Court residential building. #manchester #manchesterflashbackfriday

The team is thrilled to be shortlisted by the Royal Town Planning Institute for the National Planning Excellence Awards in the ‘Small Planning Consultancy of the Year’ category, after winning the award for the North West region in June! 🎉 Good luck to all other finalists and see you in November! #rtpi #rtpiawards #planning

The team is thrilled to be shortlisted by the Royal Town Planning Institute for the National Planning Excellence Awards in the ‘Small Planning Consultancy of the Year’ category, after winning the award for the North West region in June! 🎉 Good luck to all other finalists and see you in November! #rtpi #rtpiawards #planning

I had two choices, close the business forever or find a suitable commercial building to buy. Daunting to say the least. This is the new home of Daycare 4 Dogs. 17 years ago I opened Manchester's first free running doggy daycare with a dream it might one day fund opening the UK's first kennel-free rescue. That dream became reality when I opened Dogs 4 Rescue in 2013. Daycare meant I could rehome rescue dogs to people who worked, with my rescue dogs receiving a daycare discount. It has also helped with rehoming. Many of my customers have gone on to rescue a second dog rather than buy from a breeder. I am so proud to say 30% of the dogs attending my Daycare are rescues. The daycare team also help us with the rehabilitation of our rescue dogs who need to build their confidence, one or two dogs at a time. Last year our Daycare 4 Dogs rented unit was sold and the new owners advised they would not be renewing the lease. Rents had rocketed since lockdown and the only financially viable option was to buy a property. We searched every day for months until by chance an incredible property around the corner came on the market. With the help of my business advisors Tim Hines from Hines Accountancy Ltd and Wendy Dean, and a loan from my incredibly supportive parents we were able to secure a mortgage. The amazing Kelly Paddick of Euan Kellie Property Solutions navigated change of use planning. It is no coincidence by the way that Tim, Wendy and Kelly have all adopted rescue dogs from me and use Daycare 4 Dogs. Two weeks ago we opened the doors and this is what we have created. My heart is and will always be in rescue. I have no desire to build a Daycare empire, just to continue the relationship between Daycare 4 Dogs and Dogs 4 Rescue, serve my incredibly loyal customers well and provide the very best care for their dogs.

🎙️ VIDEO PODCAST | Charting Salford’s rise as a regional force Salboy managing director Simon Ismail and Euan Kellie, company director at Euan Kellie Property Solutions, sat down with Place North West deputy editor Dan Whelan to reflect on the last 10 years of Salford’s regeneration story and look ahead at what comes next. Watch or listen to the full episode 👉 https://lnkd.in/eq784Zes

Friday again so time for Manchester Flashback Friday 🏗️ This week the view is looking north from Oxford Street, adjacent to St Peter’s Square. The top photo is from 2009 and shows the view towards (from left to right) Central Library, Town Hall Extension, Elisabeth House; and, the former Odeon Cinema. The bottom photo is from earlier in the week and shows the major redevelopment that has taken place in the last 15 years - particularly with demolition of Elisabeth House in 2012 and the Odeon Cinema in 2017. This includes One St Peter’s Square (271,000 sqft) designed by Howells on behalf of the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund; and, Landmark (180,000 sqft) designed by Squire and Partners on behalf of Barings. #manchester #manchesterflashbackfriday

Alas, no award for us last night 😞 but we all had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the Business Desk Awards 😄 We especially loved listening to Paralympian Gregg Stevenson who is truly inspiring 🥇 Congratulations to all of the evening’s winners 🥂