Planning and development are emotive issues. Everyone has a view on the subject and is understandably concerned about what happens in their community.
People’s reactions can often be surprising, and part of our job is to help landowners understand how to approach the issue of local consultation and to provide a helpful buffer between them as landowner and other local stakeholders, should they wish.
We have a genuinely collaborative approach with local communities – experience shows it is much the best way. And every step of the way we never forget that it’s our landowners’ legacy and reputation that we are seeking to protect and enhance.
shipston-on-stour town council
In the pretty Cotswolds town of Shipston-on-Stour we engaged with the Town Council to understand fully the needs of the local community. It became apparent that the town’s medical centre was over capacity and that more space was required for it to continue providing the high standard of service expected. As plans for our new residential development emerged, we worked with the medical centre to understand its requirements, and as part of the planning consent obtained for our site, a parcel of land suitable for a new surgery was gifted to the medical centre at no cost.
This is a great example of how ASL endeavours to work with local communities to ensure that the schemes we deliver are of mutual benefit.
fund-raising events
The ASL team regularly takes part in fund-raising for local and national charities. Recent highlights include the Wigan 10k and a corporate volunteer day with The Brick in September 2024, and the Yorkshire Three Peaks in August 2021, alongside previous challenges such as the National Three Peaks, the Lake District 10 Peak Challenge and TrekFest 50k.
Wigan 10k for The Brick
In September 2024 our team — Rachael Ainscough, John Brooks, Jenny Adams, Kim Hammond and Cath Worthington — joined thousands of runners for the Wigan 10k to raise money for The Brick.
It’s a much-loved local event and a simple way for us to support a charity we know well. Everyone finished the course in under an hour, turning a Sunday morning effort into practical support for people across Wigan and Leigh.
Thanks to everyone who donated and cheered on the day. If you’d like to learn more about The Brick’s work, you can visit their site or get in touch with us.
Learn more about The Brick
A day volunteering with The Brick
In September 2024 we swapped desks for gardening gloves and spent a day volunteering with The Brick at their ABEN homeless shelter.
The team refreshed and tidied the garden area to make it a more welcoming space for residents and staff, and took time to learn more about the services The Brick provides. It was a hands-on day that gave us practical ways to help and a clearer picture of the challenges people are facing locally.
We’re grateful to The Brick team for hosting us and showing how community support makes a difference.
See how to support The Brick
Yorkshire Three Peaks in 9 hours 21 minutes
In August 2021 an ASL team completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks — Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough — in 9 hours 21 minutes to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society.
Moving as a group, we kept a steady pace through the Dales and finished together, supporting a cause that’s close to many of us. Every step helped fund vital support for people living with dementia and the research that will shape future care.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated and encouraged us along the way.
Donate to Alzheimer’s Society
Britain’s three largest peaks in 24 hours
We had 24 hours to scale Britain’s three largest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – and managed it in 23hrs 25mins. In return for some sore legs we raised more than £4,000 for Bernard’s Wish. Bernard Edmunds was a board member of the Wigan Youth Zone and, after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, had committed to raising £25,000 to support the Zone’s work for children with special needs and mental health issues.