Member Article

George F. White Expands Planning and Development Services

Land, property and business consultancy George F. White has expanded its planning and development services across the North East following an increase in client demand on the back of continued success.

Changes in the planning system opening up new opportunities for property owners have been one of the key drivers behind the team’s continued success and, as a result, the consultancy has seen a big rise in planning related work.

Richard Garland, Head of Planning and Development at George F. White, said: “The UK planning system has undergone huge changes during a big transitional period. From this, we have seen increases in different types of planning and development needs from clients across the UK, both new and existing.

The planning team was established in 2007 to offer specialist advice. Since then, it has grown rapidly, even throughout the recession. While the consultancy’s roots were in rural planning, and this still remains a core strength, it has evolved to provide specialist planning advice across a much larger range.

“Our team now offers a service more akin to some large scale urban consultancies, dealing with large scale applications and urban extension of 1400 units and upwards, continued Garland. “With development land getting more and more complex, joining up planning to an understanding of land deals and values is essential, particularly where equalisation and option agreements are involved. That is our unique selling point and we pride ourselves in being the source of highest quality advice for landowners with development needs.”

Working on a diverse range of applications from major residential, retail and agricultural applications through to lawful development certificates and prior notifications, the team have achieved great results with a 93% success rate for applications in the last 12 months.

In the last two years, the team has doubled in size to include a number of planning and development specialists such as surveyors and architects. Providing services from Scotland to Lincolnshire, the team’s contribution to the overall George F. White business is currently 18%, with an increase in annual turnover of 150% since last year.

Richard added: “Our key objective now is to grow the team further - we are currently recruiting for new members of the planning team right across the business - to continue to diversify services so that we can adapt to clients’ differing needs. For example, we have brought architects in-house as a response to client feedback that they would prefer our teams to manage their bespoke project from start to finish. We are always discussing potential new services that could be offered to clients to make the most out of their land or property assets, especially within what is an ever-changing landscape of planning policies and regulations. The overhaul of our planning and development team is evident in the finalist nomination we received at this year’s North East Business Awards. It’s an exciting time for the team following all the commitment they’ve shown in turning George F. White’s planning and development services into what it is today.”

For more information about the planning and development services George F. White offers or current vacancies, please contact Richard Garland on 01665 511994 or email richardgarland@georgefwhite.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by George F White .