New firm to challenge ‘formulaic’ approach to development

Ex-Zerum duo Matt Dixon and Louis Howard have launched Enabl, an Altrincham-based development consultancy. 

Dixon and Howard spent a combined seven years at Zerum as a planner and project manager respectively. 

Their new venture provides planning, project management and cost consultancy services, and aims to “challenge the formulaic approach to planning and development delivery”, according to the company. 

“Developers want to know three things: What can I build? What will it look like? What will it cost?” Dixon said. 

“I can tell them with a commercial eye what can be built; we link with the most appropriate architects to design a scheme for the site and then Louis will guide them on likely costs. It sounds simple but this cross-collaboration is often missing.” 

Since launching, Enabl has secured work with clients including Cert Property and Equilibrium Healthcare. 

Enabl is advising Cert on the creation of the 90-home Osborne Yard in Collyhurst as well as the redevelopment of Equilibrium’s The Peele in Benchill into a dementia and deafness care facility. 

“We believe the industry needed a fresh approach. One that gives clarity to developers early on,” Howard said. 

“Our aim is to give every scheme as much chance as possible to be a successful project that will actually be delivered. It is something much broader than just planning by the book or basic front-end appraisal to work out funding.” 

The firm works with a range of architects from small bespoke firms to larger practices depending on the requirements of the site and the developer, similarly calling in landscape architects, engineers and other consultants as needed. 

Dixon added: “Everything that comes across our desks we take personal pride in seeing built. Working in isolation, where you do your bit then hand over to someone else and you go on the next job, is not what we are about. 

“It is about collaboration, readjusting, rethinking, making the best buildings in the right location and ultimately having the satisfaction of walking through the door when they complete.” 

Enabl’s office is located at Garden Place on Victoria Street in Altrincham. 

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Both fantastic professionals with unrivalled knowledge in their fields.
Good luck on the new venture!

By Developer

Welcome to Altrincham! See you soon.

By Project 3 Architects

Wishing you all the best on your new venture – but surely this is how all consultancies work nowadays? If you’re previous employers were simply taking the “formulaic” approach described then you’ve done the right thing setting up on your own!

By Anonymous

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