Development, Property & Regeneration
Volterra is a leading socio-economic consultancy for development and planning.
We guide developers through the planning process, from initial vision-setting and pre-application, through application submission and implementing planning obligations, to expert witness support at public inquiries.
Our team provides strategic socio-economic advice aligned with economic, social, health, and equality policies, ensuring developments respond positively to local priorities and deliver meaningful community benefits.
We produce robust and persuasive deliverables, including:
Pre-application socio-economic headlines
Economic impact statements
Socio-economic and health chapters within Environmental Impact Assessments
Commercial and housing need assessments
Social infrastructure assessments
Social value statements
Employment and skills strategies
Health impact assessments
Equality impact assessments
We are recognised for unlocking complex or Green-Belt sites, including preparing robust ‘Very Special Circumstances’ cases.
We also quantify the socio-economic contributions of clients’ asset portfolios to inform internal strategic decision-making and support public-facing collateral.
Our portfolio includes some of the UK’s most high-profile and complex schemes such as Battersea Power Station, Cambridge Science Park and Truman Brewery.
Sector and asset classes
Residential – mainstream housing, later-living, student housing, co-living
Commercial – offices, life-sciences and R&D space
Leisure & hospitality – hotels, culture and leisure venues
Mixed-use masterplans
Our approach
We love to work on projects from an early stage, conducting our analysis upfront to establish socioeconomic vision, understand local priorities, integrate community and social infrastructure, identify opportunities and potential risks, and make meaningful recommendations to inform design and contribute to thriving places. This early engagement helps our clients to minimise planning risks, secure community support and build a compelling case for approval.
To find out more about the importance of early socio-economic advice click here.
Report example
Our Truman Brewery report contains compelling visuals and concise messages.
Case studies
Filter by expertise
Business Area Lead
"I have worked with Ellie, Alex and the Volterra team several times over the years. They are professional, thorough and efficient, producing quality work which clearly and robustly estimates economic impacts. Their work was vital in us promoting the redevelopment of Olympia London, and ultimately securing planning permission."
Dominic HolmesYoo Capital
"Overall the baseline report is such a positive initial step towards building good health and wellbeing into the regeneration of the area. The report itself demonstrates proper consideration of the wider determinants of health, the local evidence, and is the first example I've seen of a Health Impact Assessment approach being undertaken in a meaningful way."
Public Health PrinciplePortsmouth City Council