Edgefield Ltd - Independent technical leadership for residential land development

Edgefield Ltd is a specialist technical land development consultancy, providing independent technical leadership for residential development.

We support landowners, developers, land agents, architectural practices and planning consultants, who require in-house technical or project management capability.

We are deliberately focused on the two most risk-sensitive stages of the development process: either side of the Planning Application.

Pre-planning and early due diligence

We lead early site appraisal and pre-planning due diligence, to surface risk before it becomes cost.

Our guidance is focused on avoiding planning conditions that undermine deliverability later, so planning permissions translate into viable, buildable projects rather than constrained consents.

Post-planning technical leadership

Following planning approval, we provide technical leadership through to site commencement.

This includes ownership of planning condition discharge, coordination of consultants and real-world, coordinated value engineering, alongside support to the commercial team for accurate tender review. The emphasis is always on maintaining momentum and protecting value.

Business overview

Edgefield operates as a senior-led technical consultancy, ensuring experienced technical leadership and clear accountability on every project.

Paul Critchlow
Technical Director

Our role is to provide clear technical oversight without competing with clients or duplicating the role of other professional advisers.

Unlike many organisations in the land and development sector, we do not combine technical consultancy with land promotion or development activity. This structure removes conflicts of interest and ensures advice remains objective, transparent and focused solely on delivery.

That independence allows us to work collaboratively alongside land agents, planners and developers, providing senior technical leadership without competing for land or development profit.

What is driving demand right now?

Several regulatory and industry trends are intensifying demand for independent technical leadership. We are positioned specifically to address this gap.

These factors are creating a clear technical gap for organisations that require in-house expertise and need to maintain development momentum.

Why Edgefield exists

The period between early site appraisal, planning approval and construction commencement is now one of the most complex and risk-exposed stages of the development process.

Increasingly, schemes fail to progress after planning consent has been secured due to unresolved technical compliance, and delivery risks. Poor technical coordination during this phase results in stalled sites, redesign, delayed starts on site and loss of momentum.

Historically, technical support for developments are currently served by two main provider types.

Edgefield occupies a distinct position: Independent technical leadership with no land promotion conflict. We focus on the full technical journey from pre-acquisition, due diligence, through to construction readiness.

Our services

Pre-planning and early due diligence

Early-stage technical assessment focused on identifying constraints, risks and opportunities before significant commitment is made.

Desktop review of site constraints, risks and development opportunities
Initial appraisal of highways, drainage, utilities, ground conditions and environmental factors
Red-flag register identifying issues that could undermine deliverability at a later stage
Early assessment of likely planning conditions and post-consent technical requirements

Pre-application technical strategy

Technical input to shape planning submissions that remain deliverable through to construction.

Alignment of architectural and engineering design with practical deliverability
Layout shaping to accommodate drainage, levels, access and servicing strategies
Early consideration of Part M4(2) and M4(3) requirements
Proactive prevention of planning conditions that create delivery or compliance risk

Section 106 technical delivery support

Specialist support to translate Section 106 obligations into realistic and deliverable actions.

Interpretation of technical Section 106 requirements
Advice on phasing, sequencing and technical dependencies
Early identification of delivery risks arising from obligations

Post-planning technical leadership

Technical leadership to maintain momentum following planning approval and prepare sites for construction.

Ownership and management of technical planning conditions and discharge
Coordination of consultants and interface with statutory authorities
Programming of the technical critical path, aligned with construction and commercial programmes

Outsourced technical department

Senior technical leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time Technical Director.

Design coordination and compliance oversight
Building Regulations and warranty compliance support
Chairing technical meetings and supplementary project management
End to end ownership of the Technical strategy and project mangement

Outcome: Clear technical ownership, improved coordination and increased construction confidence.

Ready to talk?

When Edgefield is typically engaged

Site assessement prior to acquisition or option agreement
Pre planning application, delivery risk management.
Planning consent has been granted, but technical conditions are complex
A scheme is stalled post-consent and momentum needs restoring

We support developers, landowners, land agents, planning consultants, and architectural practices, without in-house or needing further technical leadership or project management capability.

Get in touch

support developers, landowners, We are land agents, planning consultants, and architectural practices.

Edgefield Ltd - Senior-led technical consultancy

How Edgefield operates

Edgefield operates as a senior-led technical consultancy, ensuring experienced technical leadership and clear accountability on every project.

Fixed-fee commissions for defined scopes of work
Monthly retainers for ongoing technical support
Day-rate consultancy for advisory, troubleshooting and Project Management