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SECOND SEMINAR ANOTHER SUCCESS The second Levvel seminar in the 'Planning is Viability' series was held in Cobham, Surrey on 3rd December. Developers, and planning professionals from the South East and London were invited to attend a free half-day seminar. The successful formula used in Bournemouth was repeated and is found to work really well allowing everyone plenty of opportunity to discuss the seminar contents and the general issues affecting the housing industry. "We are again really pleased with how the seminar went. It definitly felt from the discussions that took place and the Q&A sessions as though the market crash and new planning requirements are having the worst effects on developers in the South East. The housing industry is really struggling at the moment and just to make things worse, land value capture is adding to the ever increasing costs of development. Sadly this is forcing developers to move to different areas as councils reduce site size thresholds and force them to deal with Community Fund issues which have previously not applied to small development sites." Says Stuart Woodward, Managing Director of Levvel. One attendee said 'Levvel were the only show in town at the moment', as most housing professionals hold their breath hoping the market will pick up next year. Stuart added "Levvel’s approach is to be pro-active and talk to the developers. There is still hope but we see the issue of viability as a double-edge sword. On one hand it is an extra expense and process for the already struggling developer, but if used correctly the viability assessment can safeguard profits and convince lenders that the scheme is a safe, profitable business proposition. We feel the seminars are a great way to keep in contact as well as providing up-to-date information to the smaller developer market. We will be looking at the South West and then Oxford area for our next seminars, then up to the north and midlands areas, so keep an eye on our website!" You can register your interest in attending future seminars, by visiting the Seminar section of the Levvel website. Click here for more information. - - -