BRAC Developments was founded 12 years ago and provides an end-to-end service of redeveloping rooftop space above public, commercial or residential buildings in and around central London into apartments.

It offers a free evaluation which identifies if a building will support an additional storey on its rooftop, any possible legal requirements or issues relating to the right to build, and the likelihood of being granted planning permission.

A joint venture is then formed, with BRAC able to provide 100% funding for the works, undertake exploratory planning options and feasibility studies, and engage a structural engineer and architect. 

Both parties will then share the proceeds following sale and cost realisation.

Last year, the government confirmed a new permitted development right (PDR) that enables property owners to progress with upward extensions on detached blocks of purpose-built flats without planning permission, sparking more interest in the airspace development market. 

When DFT asked Adam where he was seeing opportunities as a result of this change, he responded that he had seen a “marked interest” from those with large portfolios of property.

“For example, housing associations may have many buildings in their portfolio, and it’s potentially opened up a whole new area where they can realise more of their existing assets without having to go out and purchase new land in new areas, with a view to increasing the housing stock on their books,” he explained.

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Consequently, Adam has seen more enquiries from housing associations and, in addition, it is looking at joint venture prospects so that discussions can be had with those organisations to benefit both parties.

He commented that BRAC Developments, when working as an equal partner, can determine and demonstrate that returns to the freeholder will be larger than if they sold the speculative parts of the airspace. 

He noted that working with a trusted partner is vital for a freeholder.

The business also uses MMC to install parts of a development so that time on site is reduced “massively”.

One of BRAC Developments’ latest rooftop projects — Tait House N19 in Islington, London — using MMC with the walls, floors and roof fabricated off site 

He is also certain that housing associations will be keen to use MMC.

“I think anything that can reduce overall cost or time of construction has got to be seriously considered,” he stated.

The full interview can be watched below.