Derby law firm takes on town planner

A town planner with more than 29 years’ experience has joined Derby-based professional services business, Knights.

Nigel Harris, who joins Knights as partner, and takes the business’ current town planning team to 17, as part of Knights’ plans to grow its non-legal offering.

Harris said: “Town planning has always been a hot topic, but the current shortage of affordable housing is definitely an issue that is top of the town planning agenda.

“This goes hand in hand with another key topic; building on green field sites. Whilst the need to build more housing schemes is rocketing, local communities understandably want to defend green spaces in their area.”

“Right now Knights is at an exciting point of growth and I’m looking forward to working with the team to build Knights’ profile both regionally and nationally as a leading name in town planning.”

Knights’ Derby office leader, Andrew Pilkington, said: “Town planning is a sector that aligns well with our property law services. Nigel’s appointment reflects Knights’ continued growth plans to extend our current client offering to include specialist and non-law services.

“Whilst he will be based in our Derby office, Nigel will be working nationally on a number of projects.

“Our current town planning team has already seen great success, so we’re excited for someone with Nigel’s extensive experience to join them.”