About the Build South Forum
Bringing together the people, shaping the future of the South
The Build South Forum was established by Consult Communications Ltd and Vail Williams LLP with a shared ambition: to create an informed, connected and influential property, planning and development community across Dorset, Hampshire and the wider South of England.
The South is home to a diverse and dynamic property industry, with significant opportunities for residential and commercial development, regeneration, investment and economic growth.
However, the environment in which our industry operates is undergoing substantial change.
Why the Build South Forum?
The planning and development landscape is becoming increasingly complex.
Changes to national and local planning policy, the emergence of new strategic and mayoral authorities, local government reorganisation and continuing pressures on housing delivery are reshaping how development is planned, promoted and delivered.
At the same time, developers and property professionals face growing challenges relating to infrastructure, viability, environmental requirements, political priorities, community expectations and the delivery of both residential and commercial development.
These changes bring opportunities, but they also create uncertainty.
For those working across the property and development sector, understanding what is changing, what it means in practice and how decisions are being made has never been more important.
It was against this background that the Build South Forum was created.
A Forum for Discussion, Knowledge and Connections
The Build South Forum provides an opportunity for those involved in shaping our built environment to come together, share knowledge and engage directly with the people influencing planning, development and economic growth.
Our ambition is to create a forum where conversations go beyond individual development projects and consider the wider challenges and opportunities facing the South.
Through regular events, we will bring together developers, landowners, investors, planners, architects, agents, consultants, local government representatives and other industry professionals.
We believe that better communication, stronger professional relationships and a shared understanding of the issues facing our industry can help support positive and sustainable development across the region.
More Than an Events Programme
While networking and professional engagement will be central to THE BuilD South FORUM, our ambitions extend beyond hosting events.
We want the Build South Forum to become a valuable source of information and insight for the property and development community.
Our objective is to provide relevant, accessible and timely information that helps industry professionals stay informed and engaged.
Alongside a regular programme of events featuring prominent local and national speakers, the Build South Forum will share:
Planning and policy updates: Significant changes to national and local planning policy and their implications for development.
Industry news: Important announcements, emerging trends and developments affecting the property sector.
Local government and political developments: Changes to local government structures, strategic planning arrangements and decision-making.
Development and economic growth: Opportunities, challenges and major issues affecting investment, regeneration and development across the South.
Events and engagement: Opportunities to hear from key decision-makers, exchange views and build professional relationships.
Our Founding Organisations
Consult Communications Ltd
Consult Communications is a specialist planning communications, political engagement and public consultation consultancy WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF HELPING DEVELOPERS, LANDOWNERS AND PLANNING OUTCOMES .
Working across the South of England and throughout the UK, we combine strategic insight, political understanding and effective community engagement to navigate the increasingly complex planning environment.
With more than 25 years’ experience in planning, development, politics and public affairs, we understand how local government operates, how planning decisions are made and what matters to councillors, communities and key stakeholders. Our proactive, commercially focused approach ensures the right people are engaged, the right messages communicated and potential challenges addressed early.
Our track record speaks for itself. We support dozens of planning applications progressing to committee each year, including politically sensitive and challenging proposals. In the last three years alone, just one application we have supported has failed to secure planning committee approval – an exceptional record reflecting our political insight, stakeholder relationships and effective engagement strategies.
From early site promotion and pre-application consultation through to planning committee and beyond, we work alongside clients and their professional teams to build support, manage opposition, strengthen the case for development and maximise the prospects of success.
We don't simply deliver consultation exercises – we provide the political intelligence, strategic advice and communications expertise that can make the difference between a planning application succeeding or failing. Our focus is straightforward: protecting our clients' interests, building confidence in their proposals and helping deliver successful development.
Vail Williams LLP
Vail Williams is an established independent commercial property consultancy.
We offer a comprehensive range of commercial and residential property services for occupiers, landlords, developers and property investors.
Our talented professionals are here to help you realise your strategic ambitions with best-in-class property expertise, which combines in-depth market knowledge with a ‘people first’ approach.
This winning formula has seen us work with everyone from owner managed businesses, global brands and overseas listed companies, public sector organisations, landlords, property developers to third party advisers and private clients, including John Lewis, National Express, St. John Ambulance, Santander and Frimley Health NHS Foundation.
From business rates savings and lease renewals, to maximising portfolio returns or helping you to acquire the right commercial or residential property, our team of experienced property professionals can help.
With over 50 people based across the South Coast offices (Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth), we have the national footprint and the local knowledge of the commercial property landscape.
Building A Brighter South
The two organisations have come together to establish the Build South Forum, combining their respective experience, professional relationships and understanding of the property and development industry.
Looking Ahead
The Build South Forum will initially focus on Dorset and Hampshire, with events and activities designed to engage the wider property and development community across the South of England.
As the forum develops, our ambition is to build a strong and growing network of professionals who value informed discussion, meaningful connections and access to the people shaping the future of our region.
The Build South Forum is about more than understanding the changes taking place today. It is about helping the industry prepare for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.
Join our network
We are currently planning our next event in February 2027, more details to follow!
Join the Build South Forum Built community and be part of the conversation shaping the future of our region.