Development Services

Who we are

James Blake Development Services has evolved from the assistance provided by the long established James Blake Associates and the recognition that house builders have to take on the considerable burden of numerous peripheral matters that detract from the business of building and selling dwellings.

JBDS was established in April 2004 and now has a history of providing a service to deal with the above issues.

These issues take significant time and effort to set up, to monitor and to comply with and all this administration can get in the way of your priorities. However if these matters are not given the time and effort from a dedicated resource they can cause problems, delays and increased costs.

Making use of this service can save you time, money and a considerable amount of hassle. The service is provided to help you overcome all of this by leaving it to JBDS.

The service is managed by Bob Tash and there is a wealth of expertise & experience available to deal with adoption and planning agreements (such as 106 obligations); liaison with local authority staff and solicitors; liaising with contractors; project management and site inspections; weed eradication and Ecohomes work.

What we do

Since its establishment in April 2004 JBDS has provided assistance to numerous developers in dealing with the adoption of Public Open Space Areas, Play Areas, Amenity Spaces, Tree Belts and treating harmful and destructive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed and Mare's Tail as well as liaising directly with the client's customers regarding these issues.

Clients, residents and local authority officers find it helpful to have a single point of contact regarding all the above issues and therefore recognise that a genuine attempt is being made by the developer to provide the amenities required by planning conditions and agreements. This approach engenders co-operation from the adopting bodies.

Adoption of POS and amenity areas can be a lengthy process and with local authorities outsourcing a number of their functions these days there is often a number of contacts to liaise, consult and reach agreement with before final acceptance and commencement of the formal adoption and land transfer. Direct liaison with the clients' legal section or solicitors and providing a link to the local authority can also prove beneficial in reducing the time required to complete the final stages of adoption and thus reduce the clients' maintenance liability.

In all matters the need to make use of quality contractors cannot be emphasised enough and although this may be at a slight premium to the client at quotation or tender stage, it always pays dividends in the longer run. From the initial high standard of implementation of the landscaping, fencing or playground works to ongoing regular and quality maintenance, the result will be that the adoption process is reduced considerably in terms of time and therefore cost.

James Blake Associates has a long history of experience using different contractors and as a result has gained considerable knowledge of the type and quality of work that can be expected from the various contractors and is therefore always happy to make recommendations to clients.

Within the practice as a whole there is a wealth of specialist skills that can be called upon to assist developers with all the development issues that can arise. With all these to hand, speedy solutions and assistance can be provided on a 'one stop shop' basis.

JBDS can also now offer an EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment Service by our Building Research Establishment qualified and registered Assessors.

These are the services that JBDS can offer and, coupled with the flexibility of fee arrangements and a conscientious attitude in dealing with all issues, should interest you if you are looking to progress adoption issues on your sites.

Services

JBDS fits into the ethos of its parent company to provide a comprehensive package of solutions for all aspects of site development and can follow on from the landscape design and implementation work or prior to this as appropriate to deal with:-

• All types of adoption such as Public Open Spaces, Woodland & Amenity Areas
• 106 Planning agreements
• Arranging ROSPA Inspections & adoption of Play Areas
• Obtaining maintenance and refurbishment quotations
• Negotiating with contractors
• Provision of select lists of contractors
• Site inspections and work monitoring
• Project management
• Liaison with local authority staff including Legal Services and client customers
• Providing status reports etc.
• An eradication service for problem weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Marestail, Ragwort & Giant Hogweed
• Technical advice
• EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment Service

Fee arrangements for these services can be flexible and will depend on the type and extent of service provided.

Options include:-

• An hourly rate arrangement
• As above with an agreed ceiling figure
• An agreed percentage fee based on the work value
• A fixed fee
• A retainer arrangement.