A trusted Land Strategist and Partner with over two decades of experience in unlocking complex sites.
I am highly process-focused, ensuring that every step is completed in the correct order. My career has been built on meticulously documenting each stage in the land development process.
This meticulous approach enables me to strategise effectively on any site, minimising potential costs, time delays, and any impact on development area.
I've built my career through first-hand experience, learning from past mistakes that can hinder progress in site development, acquisition, and disposal. I accomplished this with my company, Cornell Group, founded in 2010, which maintains an outstanding track record due to the strategies we've developed.
I'm passionate about helping people achieve their objectives. If you require any assistance with a site you own, intend to sell, or are considering purchasing, don't hesitate to contact me.
Land represents an exciting opportunity, whether you're buying, selling, seeking planning permissions, developing it, or retaining it as an asset. However, if you proceed without following the correct sequence, you may find yourself spending unnecessary time and money resolving issues that could have been identified earlier in the process.
With my documented processes, extensive network, and experience collaborating with, I am here to guide you through the necessary steps to achieve your objectives. I will do this in a methodical and cost-effective manner that minimises investment risks, reduces unnecessary initial professional fees and site reports, and effectively manage and track the various development stages if needed.
If you’ve hit a roadblock or simply need help getting started, I offer flexible support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s a quick review, strategic input, or help coordinating the next step, I can step in as needed, no commitment, just practical help at the right time.
Below, you’ll find common objectives and sticking points I can assist with. For each, I’ve outlined how I can support your progress and help you avoid delays, confusion, or unnecessary costs.
Site Potential+
For those assessing what a piece of land could become.
Initial Feasibility Review
Help identifying planning opportunities, site constraints, and what’s realistically achievable.
Planning Strategy Input
Advice on the best route to planning permission, including phased approaches or pre-applications.
Risk and Cost Awareness
Flagging early-stage risks to avoid wasted spend on reports or consultants too soon.
Stakeholder Mapping
Identifying who needs to be involved—agents, planners, surveyors—and when to bring them in.
Site Disposal+
For those looking to sell or exit in the best possible position.
Exit Strategy Planning
Help choosing between selling with or without planning, conditional vs unconditional offers, etc.
Preparing for Sale
Advice on what to include, who to target, and how to avoid delays in the disposal process.
Market Positioning
Guidance on which buyers to approach (e.g. developers, RPs, supermarkets), and what they’ll expect.
Supporting Sales Agents
Act as a bridge between you and agents to ensure key technical and planning info is properly communicated.
Site Acquisition+
For buyers or those who've just secured land and need direction.
Due Diligence Guidance
A second pair of eyes on risks, red flags, or missing details before you commit or exchange.
First 90-Day Planning
Help prioritising what to do immediately post-purchase to keep momentum and avoid costly missteps.
Budget & Phasing Advice
Structuring site development or planning spend so you don’t front-load fees unnecessarily.
Assembling the Right Team
Connect you with suitable architects, planners, surveyors, and more—tailored to your project scale.
Stalled Site+
For those stuck mid-process, unsure how to move forward.
Project Review & Reset
Take stock of where you are and provide a clear, structured path forward.
Unblocking Delays
Help chase or coordinate slow-moving consultants, planning feedback, or third parties.
Clarifying Conflicting Advice
Review input you've received and offer a second opinion to bring clarity and direction.
Short-Term Hands-On Support
Jump in and assist where needed to get the project moving again—without long-term commitments.
We have worked alongside Cornell Group on a few complex sites, throughout each one, they have applied the correct due diligence on managing risk and provided development solutions to enable a successful outcome.
Peter Bojar
Great Places, Executive Director of Growth & Assets
We partnered with Cornell Group to provide a development solution on adjoining land next to theirs, which had been a stalled site for many years with numerous challenges and issues. Their ability and approach to assessing and resolving land constraints enabled a positive outcome for all parties involved.
Justin Garnett
The Ogden Group, Managing Director
Cornell have worked with the owner, Council, development partner and adjacent residents to bring together a development package to develop a site in Cowlersley, Huddersfield. This is a mainly brownfield site which has lain undeveloped for around a decade, and it has a number of challenges including access, listed buildings adjacent, and ground conditions. Cornell have undertaken a great deal of diligence and site investigation at risk as well as submitting a planning application package to prepare a scheme which responds to housing needs and the immediate site context.
James Hinchcliffe
Housing Commissioning Officer
We have been working with Jamie and the team at Cornell for many years now and have always found them to be totally professional, knowledgeable and understanding of the clients requirements throughout each and every project we have given them. I have no doubt that our business relationship will be there for many more years to come.
Lorne Entwistle
Entwistle Family Investments Ltd, Director
Having chosen the Cornell group for the disposal of our works and property we are pleased to say it was the right choice as they have been very helpful with any queries we had and they are very helpful, informative, and accessible at any time for professional assistance. So a thank you to all the Cornell team, and a special one to Jamie Unsworth and Alan Pollitt for the 24/7 help.
Harry Sanders
Land Owner
Cornell spent over 4 years ‘information gathering’ and de-risking issues such as site constraints and numerous challenges to establish a workable proposal and design culminating with the submission of the successful planning application. This approach undoubtedly helped to achieve the broadly positive outcome for all stakeholders involved and the Council look forward to the completion of the development.
Adrian Robertshaw
Strategic Housing Officer
In my previous role at Bolton Council I worked with Jamie Unsworth and the Cornell Group in helping enable the delivery of 44 houses on Radcliffe Rd, Darcy Lever for Great Places Housing Group and 18 properties at the former Portman Mill, Telford St, Horwich for Contour Housing Group. Radcliffe Rd was a complex land ownership issue and was also contentious through the planning process requiring collaborative work from all parties to ensure the scheme was delivered successfully. The former Portman Mill site had stalled and the Cornell Group were able to come up with deal that worked for all parties to ensure the scheme was successfully completed.
Paul Philbin
Bolton at Homes, Development Manager
Bury Golf Club partnered up with Cornell Group to unlock potential opportunities within our land boundaries. 3 sites were identified, one being a liability for the club. Cornell provided a development solution that resolved the liability, initial capital and potential uplift for the club in the future.
Bury Golf Club
Option One
£150.00 + VAT / Hour
This is recommended if you need assistance at a specific stage during the disposal, acquisition, or development process.
Option Two
Set Fee
This is recommended if you need assistance throughout every stage of the disposal, acquisition, or development process. Additionally, pricing can be agreed on a site-by-site basis.
Managing Director:
Cornell Group specialises in working with landowners, local authorities, housing associations and strategic land developers all with a goal to unlock the potential of land with serviced plots.
A trusted Land Strategist and Partner with over two decades of experience in unlocking complex sites.
I am highly process-focused, ensuring that every step is completed in the correct order. My career has been built on meticulously documenting each stage in the land development process.
This meticulous approach enables me to strategise effectively on any site, minimising potential costs, time delays, and any impact on development area.
I've built my career through first-hand experience, learning from past mistakes that can hinder progress in site development, acquisition, and disposal. I accomplished this with my company, Cornell Group, founded in 2010, which maintains an outstanding track record due to the strategies we've developed.
I'm passionate about helping people achieve their objectives. If you require any assistance with a site you own, intend to sell, or are considering purchasing, don't hesitate to contact me.
Land represents an exciting opportunity, whether you're buying, selling, seeking planning permissions, developing it, or retaining it as an asset. However, if you proceed without following the correct sequence, you may find yourself spending unnecessary time and money resolving issues that could have been identified earlier in the process.
With my documented processes, extensive network, and experience collaborating with, I am here to guide you through the necessary steps to achieve your objectives. I will do this in a methodical and cost-effective manner that minimises investment risks, reduces unnecessary initial professional fees and site reports, and effectively manage and track the various development stages if needed.
If you’ve hit a roadblock or simply need help getting started, I offer flexible support to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s a quick review, strategic input, or help coordinating the next step, I can step in as needed, no commitment, just practical help at the right time.
Below, you’ll find common objectives and sticking points I can assist with. For each, I’ve outlined how I can support your progress and help you avoid delays, confusion, or unnecessary costs.
Site Potential+
For those assessing what a piece of land could become.
Initial Feasibility Review
Help identifying planning opportunities, site constraints, and what’s realistically achievable.
Planning Strategy Input
Advice on the best route to planning permission, including phased approaches or pre-applications.
Risk and Cost Awareness
Flagging early-stage risks to avoid wasted spend on reports or consultants too soon.
Stakeholder Mapping
Identifying who needs to be involved—agents, planners, surveyors—and when to bring them in.
Site Disposal+
For those looking to sell or exit in the best possible position.
Exit Strategy Planning
Help choosing between selling with or without planning, conditional vs unconditional offers, etc.
Preparing for Sale
Advice on what to include, who to target, and how to avoid delays in the disposal process.
Market Positioning
Guidance on which buyers to approach (e.g. developers, RPs, supermarkets), and what they’ll expect.
Supporting Sales Agents
Act as a bridge between you and agents to ensure key technical and planning info is properly communicated.
Site Acquisition+
For buyers or those who've just secured land and need direction.
Due Diligence Guidance
A second pair of eyes on risks, red flags, or missing details before you commit or exchange.
First 90-Day Planning
Help prioritising what to do immediately post-purchase to keep momentum and avoid costly missteps.
Budget & Phasing Advice
Structuring site development or planning spend so you don’t front-load fees unnecessarily.
Assembling the Right Team
Connect you with suitable architects, planners, surveyors, and more—tailored to your project scale.
Stalled Site+
For those stuck mid-process, unsure how to move forward.
Project Review & Reset
Take stock of where you are and provide a clear, structured path forward.
Unblocking Delays
Help chase or coordinate slow-moving consultants, planning feedback, or third parties.
Clarifying Conflicting Advice
Review input you've received and offer a second opinion to bring clarity and direction.
Short-Term Hands-On Support
Jump in and assist where needed to get the project moving again—without long-term commitments.
We have worked alongside Cornell Group on a few complex sites, throughout each one, they have applied the correct due diligence on managing risk and provided development solutions to enable a successful outcome.
Peter Bojar
Great Places, Executive Director of Growth & Assets
We partnered with Cornell Group to provide a development solution on adjoining land next to theirs, which had been a stalled site for many years with numerous challenges and issues. Their ability and approach to assessing and resolving land constraints enabled a positive outcome for all parties involved.
Justin Garnett
The Ogden Group, Managing Director
Cornell have worked with the owner, Council, development partner and adjacent residents to bring together a development package to develop a site in Cowlersley, Huddersfield. This is a mainly brownfield site which has lain undeveloped for around a decade, and it has a number of challenges including access, listed buildings adjacent, and ground conditions. Cornell have undertaken a great deal of diligence and site investigation at risk as well as submitting a planning application package to prepare a scheme which responds to housing needs and the immediate site context.
James Hinchcliffe
Housing Commissioning Officer
We have been working with Jamie and the team at Cornell for many years now and have always found them to be totally professional, knowledgeable and understanding of the clients requirements throughout each and every project we have given them. I have no doubt that our business relationship will be there for many more years to come.
Lorne Entwistle
Entwistle Family Investments Ltd, Director
Having chosen the Cornell group for the disposal of our works and property we are pleased to say it was the right choice as they have been very helpful with any queries we had and they are very helpful, informative, and accessible at any time for professional assistance. So a thank you to all the Cornell team, and a special one to Jamie Unsworth and Alan Pollitt for the 24/7 help.
Harry Sanders
Land Owner
Cornell spent over 4 years ‘information gathering’ and de-risking issues such as site constraints and numerous challenges to establish a workable proposal and design culminating with the submission of the successful planning application. This approach undoubtedly helped to achieve the broadly positive outcome for all stakeholders involved and the Council look forward to the completion of the development.
Adrian Robertshaw
Strategic Housing Officer
In my previous role at Bolton Council I worked with Jamie Unsworth and the Cornell Group in helping enable the delivery of 44 houses on Radcliffe Rd, Darcy Lever for Great Places Housing Group and 18 properties at the former Portman Mill, Telford St, Horwich for Contour Housing Group. Radcliffe Rd was a complex land ownership issue and was also contentious through the planning process requiring collaborative work from all parties to ensure the scheme was delivered successfully. The former Portman Mill site had stalled and the Cornell Group were able to come up with deal that worked for all parties to ensure the scheme was successfully completed.
Paul Philbin
Bolton at Homes, Development Manager
Bury Golf Club partnered up with Cornell Group to unlock potential opportunities within our land boundaries. 3 sites were identified, one being a liability for the club. Cornell provided a development solution that resolved the liability, initial capital and potential uplift for the club in the future.
Bury Golf Club
Option One
£150.00 + VAT / Hour
This is recommended if you need assistance at a specific stage during the disposal, acquisition, or development process.
Option Two
Set Fee
This is recommended if you need assistance throughout every stage of the disposal, acquisition, or development process. Additionally, pricing can be agreed on a site-by-site basis.
Managing Director:
Cornell Group specialises in working with landowners, local authorities, housing associations and strategic land developers all with a goal to unlock the potential of land with serviced plots.
