Socio-economic Development
Every development affects people, services and local economies. Our socio-economics team enhances places by translating data, lived experience and market intelligence into persuasive evidence and strategy documents that help clients justify proposals, garner support, influence decisions and maximise positive impacts for people, economies and communities.
We work across all sectors – residential, commercial, retail, leisure, industrial, cultural and community – providing the socio-economic analysis that underpins stronger planning outcomes and more sustainable places. We work across the full spectrum of geographical scales from individual developments to place-based masterplans.
what we deliver
We provide clear, evidence-based advice across the full development lifecycle, helping clients:
- Justify proposals with compelling socio-economic evidence
- Demonstrate benefits and mitigate perceived harm
- Shape commercially and socially sustainable place plans
- Build confidence with local authorities, stakeholders and communities
- Make informed evidence-led investment decisions
- Maximise the positive benefits of their investments
Impact Assessments
Our impact assessments assess how proposals affect communities, local services and the economy. We use robust methodologies and trusted data sources to present a clear, defensible assessments of your scheme’s impacts.
What we provide
- Economic Benefits Assessments
- Socio-Economic Impact Assessments
- Social Value Impact Assessments
- Retail Impact Assessments
- Health Impact Assessments
- Equalities Impact Assessments
What this means for clients
- Clear evidence of benefits
- Practical mitigation strategies
- Persuasive documents that withstand scrutiny
- Understanding of scheme strengths and weaknesses
- Advice on maximising positive impacts
Need Assessments
Identifying the objective need for a proposal is often a decisive factor in planning outcomes. Our assessments identify housing, employment, retail and social infrastructure need, giving you strong grounds for allocations, applications and appeals.
What we provide
- Housing Need
- Older Persons Need
- Student Accommodation Need
- Employment Need
- Retail and Leisure Need
- Social Infrastructure Need
- Tourism Need
- Demographic Modelling and Projections
What this means for clients
- Defensible justification for sites and schemes
- Clear evidence of unmet needs
- Stronger appeal and EiP positions
- Insight that shapes deliverable, policy-aligned development
- Evidence to shape masterplans and strategies
Demand Assessments
Our demand assessments help clients justify proposals by demonstrating that there is or is not demand for specific use types . We analyse market conditions, economic trends and occupier requirements to give clarity and direction.
What we provide
- Office demand
- Industrial and logistics demand
- Workspace demand
- Retail and leisure demand
- Life sciences demand
- Sector demand studies
- Housing demand
What this means for clients
- Robust evidence to support planning case
- Clarity on market opportunities and risks
- Support for planning applications that challenge policy baselines
- Insight that strengthens viability and delivery strategies
- Advice to shape or influence design and planning work
Place-Based Strategies
We work with developers, masterplanners and public-sector partners to create evidence-based strategies that guide land use, economic development and community infrastructure. We provide advice to support strategy at different scales from specific individual developments through to regional partnerships.
What we provide
- Economic strategies
- Social value strategies
- Ground floor / land use strategies
- Commercial strategies
- Affordable workspace strategies
- Employment and skills strategies
- Masterplanning strategies
- Town centre strategies
- Equalities strategies
What this means for clients
- Strategies grounded in real demographic and economic evidence
- Clear justification for proposed uses and spatial arrangements
- Stronger outcomes in masterplans, regeneration and town centre renewal
- Confidence for investors, stakeholders and local authorities
- Stronger planning cases supported by clear strategy and evidence
Why clients choose us
Director-led delivery
Your project is shaped and checked by senior specialists with deep sector experience.
Market-leading data and analysis
We use cutting-edge commercial, economic and demographic datasets to build compelling cases.
Multi-disciplinary strength
We work seamlessly with Marrons’ planning, design, transport and viability teams to ensure evidence aligns across documents and negotiations.
Persuasive, decision-ready outputs
Reports, infographics and summaries that are accessible to committees, stakeholders and policy-makers — without losing technical accuracy.
Flexible resourcing
Standalone commissions, integrated multi-disciplinary teams or support as your in-house socio-economic resource.
Our Socio-Economics Services
Housing need
Learn MoreWhat we can deliver
We provide evidence, insight and outcomes that give decision-makers confidence and help shape better places.
- Robust socio-economic and health assessments to support planning and consent
- Clear evidence and modelling to inform confident decision-making
- Place-based insight that responds to local needs and policy
Our team provides integrated socio-economic, health and commercial assessments that build a compelling case for development. From policy-led strategies to detailed impact reporting, we translate complex data into clear, defensible evidence that supports delivery, withstands scrutiny, and maximises positive outcomes for communities.
- Needs and demand assessments for housing, employment, retail and social infrastructure
- Social value, equality and skills strategies with measurable, trackable outcomes
- Expert statements and evidence for examinations, appeals and stakeholder engagement
Not sure what evidence you need?
We’ll help you identify the most effective approach — quickly and proportionately — based on your project, risks and objectives.
Drawing on our experience across sectors and planning contexts, we can scope the right mix of assessments, avoid unnecessary work, and focus on the evidence that will have the greatest influence on decision-makers.
Our Projects
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