Simon Macklen
Partner
Specialisms:
- Economic impact
- Housing need (incl. affordable and later living)
- Real Estate
- Retail impact
- Socio-Economics
- Town Planning
Simon is head of the socio-economics team, bringing over 28 years’ experience of town planning and socio-economic research.
Simon leads the delivery of evidence-led assessments that support major development proposals across the UK. His work helps developers, landowners, and strategic land promoters present a credible and compelling socio-economic case for development, backed by deep analytical insight.
Simon specialises in economic benefit assessments, demographic modelling, housing need studies, and retail impact analysis. His dual perspective – spanning both consultancy and client-side roles – enables him to balance planning policy with commercial priorities.
He helps ensure that applications are not only technically sound but also resonate with local authority objectives and community outcomes.
Key areas of expertise:
– Economic impact assessments
– Housing need and demographic analysis (including later living and affordable housing)
– Retail and town centre impact
– Socio-economic planning support, including health impact assessments
– Real estate strategy
I enjoy drawing out the need for development and its impact on the surrounding population and, in particular, identifying the benefits of a scheme to the local community that are quite often hidden or not so obvious. This insight can also help inform a client's commercial decision-making process.