Suckley launches Asteer

Ex-Avison Young director Jon Suckley has set up an independent planning consultancy based in Manchester and serving clients working across the North West.

He left Avison Young earlier this year after three years as senior director in the Manchester planning team and told Place North West there is a gap in the market for “new and agile” boutique consultancy.

“The last 12 months have been an unprecedented and challenging time for everyone, but now is the time to embrace change and seize opportunities,” Suckley said. “I enjoyed my time at Avison Young but now definitely feels like the right time for me to make the move. I am looking forward to all the opportunities and challenges that come with a new independent business.

“The Manchester and North West property markets are amongst the most buoyant and active in the country and there is a gap in the market for a new and agile boutique planning consultancy like Asteer Planning.”

Asteer, of which Suckley is managing partner, was incorporated in March and aims to provide an independent planning advisory service to clients across all property sectors including housing, commercial, urban regeneration, mixed-use, leisure and care.

The business will offer a range of services including planning appraisal and strategy advice, preparation and negotiation of planning applications, development plan promotion, public consultation and planning appeals.

Suckley said the company will predominantly target private sector clients including landowners, developers, housebuilders, land promoters and end users, to advise them on projects. The business will also advise local authorities involved in public-private joint venture partnerships.

Prior to joining Avison Young, Suckley was senior partner at Manchester-based How Planning, which was acquired by GVA in 2018. GVA was acquired by Avison Young the following year, bringing a raft of ex-HOW planners including Suckley and planning principals Richard Barton, who is now heading up the department following Suckley’s departure, and Gary Halman, into the company.

Suckley has 18 years’ experience in the planning industry and was elected as a fellow to the Royal Town Planning Institute in September 2019. He has been involved in securing planning consents for a range of large-scale and complex housing, urban regeneration, commercial, leisure and care developments over the course of his career.

“I am very proud about how Asteer Planning has been established so far and I am now looking forward to growing the business, which is hugely exciting,” Suckley said.

“A key milestone for later in the year will be moving to new premises in Manchester city centre.” At present, Suckley is manning the company alone.