Gerry was the project lead on the seminal strategy formulation process for East Manchester, on behalf of the then Urban Regeneration Company – New East Manchester – the partnership between Manchester City Council, NWDA and English Partnerships. This initiated and guided the transformation of this side of Manchester, delivering over 10,000 new homes, the renewal of many more, the investment by Manchester City FC and the regeneration of such neighbourhoods as Ancoats and Miles Platting.
Projects
Strategy
East Manchester
Limerick City
Limerick City is making considerable progress on the delivery of the plans encapsulated in ‘Limerick 2030’ – the plan for the city formulated in 2014/15 under the leadership of Gerry. This plan envisaged a wide range of economic, property and physical interventions across the city, including in the city centre to guide the revitalisation of the city. The work enabled the council to secure central government funding for change and facilitated a number of key partnerships, including with the renowned Limerick University.
Delivery
Brent Cross Cricklewood
Now referred to as Brent Cross Town this £7 bn regeneration scheme covering 370 acres and providing 6.700 homes, workspace for 25,000 people, 50 acres of parks, a new rail station and a new town centre is now on the way to delivery by the JV between LB Barnet and Related Argent. Gerry had a leading role in the work that enabled the creation of this delivery partnership, advising on the partner requirements, the selection process and facilitating discussions with the community, TFL and Network Rail.
Winstanley/York Road, Wandsworth (York Gardens)
The regeneration of the York Road and Winstanley estates adjacent to Clapham Junction is being delivered by a joint venture between LB Wandsworth and Taylor Wimpey. Gerry led the multi-professional team that put together the masterplan and planning parameters to guide the regeneration process in partnership with the council and the local residents. Gerry then subsequently led the OJEU compliant competitive dialogue process to procure a joint venture partner for the council.
Planning
Hendon – Metropolitan Police
Gerry led the team that advised the Metropolitan Police on the rationalisation and consolidation of their Training Headquarters in Hendon – The Peel Centre. This involved the delivery of a new training facility for the Police and the release of surplus land for development. Having worked up an initial masterplan for the surplus land and established planning guidance council Gerry led the team that appointed Redrow as the development partner to deliver approximately 4000 homes plus community and commercial facilities. He subsequently led the team that secured planning permission for the new development, before he passed the project over to his team at GVA.
Discovery Park, Kent
Gerry led a multi-professional team that advised the owners of Discovery Park – former Pfizer Headquarters – to create a leading Life Sciences Park and incubator for scientific innovation and digital technology and which secured planning permission for the site’s redevelopment. This included releasing part of the site for housing to cross-fund the delivery of new infrastructure and redevelopment.
People
Queen’s University of Belfast
As an Honorary Professor at the School of the Built Environment, The Queen’s University Belfast my aspiration is to impart my experience and knowledge to the next generation of Urban Planners as they progress through the school’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses. My aim is to help them prepare for the work environment in either the public or private sectors and to demonstrate how they can make the most of their skills and training as planners.
RTPI / Future of London
Gerry is a leading mentor for the next generation, including for the RTPI and the Future of London Leadership programmes. In the last 5 years he has mentored over 20 professionals working in both the public and private sectors and involved in the built environment.