Viable options

A site feasibility study is an easy way of looking at the potential for development of a site or existing building. Before any money is spent – even on drawings and designs – a study will map the site and what exists there, prior to any other work commencing. A feasibility study will also demonstrate if a project on the site is financially viable and if it presents unnecessary risks going forward. Feasibility studies focus on a number of core areas. A study will include site surveys of the type we would carry out for any other project or client. These may include topographical surveys, underground utility surveys or aerial drone footage. The report may include a combination of these, to create a fuller picture of an area.

If the site includes existing buildings, then they will have to be mapped, and a separate survey of each building undertaken. Other aspects that will have to be surveyed include natural features, such as watercourses, undulations in landscape and ground levels, areas of woodland, and other geographical features that will have to be taken into account if the area is to be developed. Underground surveys are often revelatory as to what existing services are present at the site and what work will need to be carried out to make the site suitable for building. 

Developing ideas

Feasibility studies help to identify development options and assess the planning implications of developing a site. A report will demonstrate the extent planning issues will have to be addressed from the outset and also the feasibility of taking the project further. These reports can assess the environmental impact of the project and if there are any major red flags in terms of the environment and its natural inhabitants that may stop development.

Indigenous species (such as jumping spiders or great crested newts) and other natural occurrences can be problematic to developers, as many are protected and may cause a great deal of additional work, to enable the site to be made suitable for development. Other factors such as high and low ground levels indicating flooding or subsidence, will also be noted. Knowing these aspects in advance will allow developers to either budget for these extra expenses or decide if the work is viable at the site. Operational, space planning and maintenance issues can be highlighted at the pre-planning stage, allowing insight into future costs that may be incurred.

Invaluable insight

A feasibility study being carried out doesn’t always mean that a project will emerge from it in the end – or if it does, it might be substantially amended based on what information the survey has uncovered. Powers very occasionally carry out feasibility studies that result in the findings discouraging developers from pursing their plans.

An example of a feasibility study Powers carried out, which led to the client revisiting its original plans, was for Seager Retail Park. The survey team undertook a topographical survey and underground utilities survey on the busy retail park – a challenge in itself. Seager Retail Park in Newport is a 34,000 square feet shopping destination located to the north east of Cardiff city centre and is well placed in the established out-of-town retail pitch on Newport Road. Powers provided comprehensive, up-to-date surveys which highlighted any potential challenges and provided the information the client needed to understand the impact of the development and the associated cost implications. This has enabled the client to work with the different stakeholders involved in the project to decide on the best course of action.

Assess, budget and plan

However, without the feasibility study taking place in the first instance, it would have been much harder for these types of discussions to take place, and these types of decisions to be reached. This highlights how invaluable feasibility studies are and the contribution they make to the construction process. Without them, developers are unable to assess, budget and plan in advance, and calculate the risks and potential, sites offer.

If you have a site or project that you think would benefit from a feasibility study, then why not get in touch with Powers today.