Property People

Prospects look good especially once we go past the referendum. There are various ongoing developments in Leeds city centre and in the wider Yorkshire area. The building of the spur off the M18 to Robin Hood Doncaster Airport is bound to give that airport a much needed boost.

What is your favourite building in the region and why?

It has to be York Minster. There is nothing else like it in the region, in fact it is one of the most stunning buildings in the country.

What is the best project you have been involved in?

Probably the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Coming into Leeds, it was the first national museum to have its headquarters outside of London. It was a very significant undertaking and a real coup for Leeds. I worked on the development documents for the building of the Royal Armouries which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is still an integral part of the cultural landscape of Yorkshire.

If you could change one thing to improve the property industry in this region, what would it be?

Speeding up the planning process for larger schemes and also simplifying the land registration process. Believe it or not there are 52 Land Registry practice guides.

Whom do you most admire in property in Yorkshire?

Eddie Healey who had the confidence and vision to transform a totally derelict site in Sheffield into the very successful Meadowhall Shopping Centre.