Property Focus: The Interview – Michael Davies

MICHAEL Davies, planning director at Savills Birmingham, ponders contaminated regeneration sites and a theatre’s new dawn in Property Focus.

If you are interested in taking part in ‘The Interview’, please email tamlyn.jones@thebusinessdesk.com and click through to see all our previous Property Focus Interviews.

1. What are your views on the current state of the commercial property and property development markets?

The property market is still a very tough place to be at the moment. With confidence ebbing and flowing in line with the European and world financial crises, developers and investors are still cautious when it comes to commencing new projects.

2. What are the key challenges and pieces of legislation you think will most affect your sector over the coming months?

While the government is discussing various ways to give the industry a much needed shot in the arm, one of the biggest challenges will be convincing decision makers that ‘yes’ rather than ‘no’ should be the answer more often. The Localism Bill, the National Planning Policy Framework and the introduction of Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedules will be further tests for the development industry over the coming months and years.

3. Why do you think the West Midlands is a good place to do business?

The West Midlands offers a diverse range of planning opportunities, which can’t currently be said for all regions of the UK. Projects I have been involved in include assessing the implications of HS2 on key development areas, reviewing the planning potential of major logistics sites, assessing the redevelopment prospects of former canal sites and securing planning permissions for a range of housing, commercial and tourism related developments.

4. What is your favourite building/development in the West Midlands and why?

The refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. I led the planning application and listed building application submissions and it’s rewarding to see the theatre embarking on a new chapter in its history, attracting visitors to Stratford once again.

5. If you could improve anything in the region, what would it be?

Definitely the main routes and arrival points into Birmingham. I believe the entrances to a city should provide a positive impact to visitors.

6. What barriers have you faced during your career and how have you overcome them?

The constant changes to the planning system. The system is always evolving and each year brings its own set of new challenges and trends. The only way to overcome those challenges is never to assume the latest changes will be in place for very long.

7. What was your first job and how did you enter your current line of work?

My first ever job was as a silver service waiter at a hotel. I joined the planning profession as a graduate and have worked in it ever since.

8. What do you most enjoy about your job?

Getting to see different parts (both good and bad) of the country. On a good day, I can be inspecting a listed building proposed for refurbishment and extension, while a bad day means scrambling across a derelict and contaminated regeneration site in the rain.

9. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

That the harder you work, the luckier you get.

10. And the worst?

Good things come to those who wait…..