Property People: Good times ahead for construction

Set against the backdrop of some difficult years, I think that the overall prospects for our sector are good. There have been large transactions recently that have underlined the fact that there is an appetite for the right property in the right location.

As for building construction, I can honestly say that

there have been few better times to be in the market to build new, or adapt existing buildings.

What is the best project in which you have been involved?

I once carried out some work to an historic church to ensure that it complied with current legislation and made some improvements so that it was easier for disabled people to use the space.

The church was a beautiful old historic gem so the work was done sensitively, without losing its historic charm. What really set the project apart was the reaction of the users who were thrilled that their old friend of a building had been brought into modern times.

What is your favourite building and why?

In Yorkshire and Humber we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great buildings. We have the great civic buildings of Leeds, including the town hall; The Grand Hotel in Scarborough and the stately grandeur of Castle Howard.

That said, I must confess that my all-time favourite has always been Durham Cathedral.

The soaring Gothic architecture never fails to bowl me over.

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

There's not much that needs improving. Recent events have shown that the industry functions on confidence, which has been in short supply.

If I could wave a magic wand to make people realise that the right kind of building in the right kind of area is always a good asset – whatever the market fluctuations – that would be some feat.

Colin Harrop is a senior associate at King Sturge, Leeds, and current chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Yorkshire and the Humber regional board.