Training & Research

Public and private sector training is offered in a variety of planning- and management-related areas

Mentoring services are also offered; Simon has been a mentor for the IDeA’s National Graduate Development Programme

Simon was a Senior Associate of Trevor Roberts Associates (TRA) for almost 25 years, until the Company was dissolved in 2020 as a direct result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this period, Simon trained over 100 Local Planning Authorities in a wide range of topics.

Simon continues to offer Member and Officer training in the following key areas:

+ Topic-based Briefings on the Planning System (Members and Officers)

+ An Introduction to Planning for Elected Members

+ The Role of Members, Decision Making and Planning Committee

+ Presentation Techniques for Officers

+ Preparing New Planning Committee Members

+ An Introduction to Development Economics

+ An Introduction to the Assessment of Viabilty

Research services are offered in the following areas:

• Economic profiling

• Housing need and demand

• Site viability and development economics

 • Affordable housing policy and viability

• Planning gain assessment and negotiation

• Negotiation and preparation of Planning Performance Agreements