HARRIS LAMB LAUNCHES AFFORDABLE HOUSING DIVISION

Harris Lamb has extended its service offering with the launch of a new division specialising in affordable and residential housing.

The business has appointed established affordable housing expert Chris Jones, formerly of Trent & Dove Housing and the Waterloo Housing Group, to head up the department.

The service is to provide consultancy advice to housing associations, property developers, charities and local authority clients including land introductions and sourcing, advice and negotiation on planning and S106 agreements, along with placing affordable housing elements with registered providers, and conducting risk development audits and asset option appraisals.

Richard Fantham, director of the business, said it was a move that Harris Lamb had been considering for some time.

“As a business, we have always looked to cross-sell our range of services to clients and the opportunity to add this affordable housing property specialism was something too good for us to miss. In 2014 we launched our retail division, which has gone from strength to strength, and in light of the growing number of residential land sales and housing projects we get involved in, we decided it was time to expand our skillset further and capitalise on it.

“Chris is incredibly well connected and respected across the whole of the Midlands, and was the obvious person to turn to when it came to launching this division. Already, he’s hit the ground running and is positioning Harris Lamb as trusted providers to existing and potential clients. His expertise and reputation will be a massive asset in making the affordable and residential housing department a success,” he added.
Chris said: “This is a very exciting challenge and one that I’m thoroughly looking forward to getting my teeth into. Harris Lamb has an excellent reputation and is well-appointed to service the whole of the UK, with an extremely strong Midlands presence. The service provided to affordable and residential housing is already extensive, and will now become more wide-ranging.

“Senior roles at Waterloo Housing Group, Jephson Housing Association and Trent and Dove Housing Association have given me significant experience, knowledge and a strong track record of delivery within this field, and Harris Lamb’s experience in acting for large clients providing planning services including site promotion, local plan advice, preparing and submitting planning submissions, teamed with the business’ plus expert evidence at appeal makes this relationship natural extension of its service offering” added Chris.