National planning consultants expand Leeds office

The Leeds-based office of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) , an independent town planning consultancy, is vastly developing throughout Yorkshire as its four year in the city approaches.

Due to NLP’s rapid growth in the region, the company is now expanding into larger offices in the heart of Leeds city centre.

As the larger office space is now located on the entire floor in 15 St Paul’s Street, the company now boosts a staff of ten from an original three, and is busy working on an array of schemes with combined development values of over £500m.

In the past several years NLP has collaborated with Tesco, and obtained permissions for a number of Lidl stores in cities such as Hull and Sheffield.

The company, which first opened a leeds office in spring 2011, also works on a range of housing and development schemes for the likes of St Modwen Developments at Melton Park, Barratt David Wilson Homes and GMI at Scholes, near Leeds, and for CEG at Burley-in-Wharefdale.

Furthermore, NLP represented Lend Lease on the Hungate development, located in the city walls of York, and has also taken on Employment Land Reviews for Hull and Sheffield Councils.

As well as moving to a large office space in Leeds, the company has also recruited experienced planner Jonathan Standen as a Director for the region.

Justin Gartland, the chairman of NLP, said: “I am very excited about the contribution Jonathan will bring to our continuing growth in Yorkshire. We have a national reputation for acting on major infrastructure projects and Jonathan’s experience will add significantly to our local and national capabilities.

“Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in leading planning projects specialising in energy, infrastructure, commercial, education and minerals’ schemes.

“He will continue to act in these sectors as well as assisting NLP in its continuing expansion in Leeds where the firm has a track record on strategic and medium scale, housing-led mixed use projects, retail and employment developments.”

Jonathan added: “I am delighted to be joining the Leeds office and contributing to NLP’s continued success by adding value, new sector experience and market share to its growing business in Yorkshire and the north.

“Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners has an excellent reputation in planning for positive change and a national reputation for providing high quality planning advice, having been awarded the status of Planning Consultancy of the Year for the last three consecutive years by the Royal Town Planning Institute.”

NLP has seen revenues rise from £13 to £16m in the last two years.