Elevate Planning founder and director, Nicholas Simpson, believes that the key to the success of any building project begins with good planning.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, Nicholas Simpson began his professional journey at Auckland Council. “At school, I always imagined myself becoming an architect until I stumbled across the world of urban planning,” says Nicholas. “Unlike architecture, what drew me to urban planning was its broader scope that stretched beyond individual buildings. Urban planning is about designing on a larger spatial scale, with the potential to positively impact communities and people in a multitude of different ways.”
At Auckland Council, Nicholas initially assumed the role of being the primary point of contact for public inquiries. Guiding individuals through an array of concerns – from neighbourly disputes to seeking informed guidance around the complexities of the Auckland Unitary Plan – provided invaluable insights into the public’s perspective and the challenges they faced. From there, he assumed a position involving the processing of resource consent applications. His responsibilities spanned from modest residential renovations to multi-storey residential complexes and ambitious infrastructure renewals. The exposure to a range of complex projects alongside mentoring and guiding junior colleagues, led Nicholas to quickly advance into an intermediate and eventually a senior planner within just a few years of working at the council. This rich tapestry of experience deepened his understanding of the intricate interplay between design, regulation, and community engagement.
Driven by his belief in the ability of urban planning to create spaces that significantly elevate the quality of life, Nicholas bid adieu to Auckland Council to establish his own business, aptly named Elevate Planning, in 2021. Backed by Nicholas’s years of experience, Elevate’s inception sprang from his desire to uplift the art of planning, making it more approachable and understandable for people who may not be familiar with its various processes, such as resource consents. By handling all aspects of the planning throughout the entire project, he aspires to take all the stress and worry out of a client’s hands while also ensuring there are no surprises along the way.
“There’s a common misconception that the resource consent process is cumbersome, slow and costly,” says Nicholas. “While these complexities can arise when navigating regulations and requirements, the real challenge often stems from not having the right team in place to pre-empt and tackle any issues before they snowball and become roadblocks. That’s where Elevate steps in – mitigating risks, reducing costs where possible and guiding clients towards well-informed decisions all while achieving quality environmental outcomes.”
Central to Elevate’s core objectives is to redefine the planner’s role. While planners are often blamed for bureaucratic red tape, Nicholas believes that they serve a vital purpose – striking a balance between growth and sustainability while protecting the environment.
“When it comes to urban planning, limits are necessary to create harmonious spaces that honour both the property and the environment. New urban development excites me, but it must adhere to principals of sustainability and environmental resilience.”
While the majority of Elevate’s work centres on residential ventures, Nicholas’s expertise also extends to the commercial and industrial domains. “Elevate is for anyone seeking to undertake a redevelopment project,” says Nicholas. “Our scope covers everything from minor renovations to single dwellings at the rear of a property, to extensive developments encompassing potentially over a hundred dwellings. We handle a diverse array of application types across residential and commercial realms, which adds an interesting dimension to my work.”
Nicholas attributes the secret to Elevate’s success thus far to his commitment to transparency and foresight. “My goal is to identify any possible concerns council may raise and highlighting them upfront,” he says. “This may involve some tough conversations, but the objective is always to prevent delays and complications further down the line, which can arise from extensive back-and-forth exchanges with council.
“All my clients’ submissions to the council have to-date been approved without any questions asked, which attests to the point before of engaging with a planner early on in the process to get it right. Though I can’t promise that will always be the case, it underscores the importance of involving a professional planner for an outcome that is not only positive but seamless along the way. I want the planning journey to be a pleasant experience, not a dreaded one.”
