Planning consultancy opens Birmingham office

Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has opened an office in Birmingham.

Jon Kirby will head the new base at the Cornerblock on Cornwall Street. He is joined by fellow senior director Stephen Hollowood and planning director Laurence Homes.

Kirby has more than 25 years’ experience in the sector and previously worked as a Director in Avison Young’s Birmingham office for over 10 years.

Hollowood is a well-known figure in the Midlands market having previously led the Midlands planning, development and regeneration team at Avison Young where he also headed its public sector consultancy team.

Lichfields is currently involved in bringing forward more than 30,000 residential plots in the Midlands.

Recent Lichfields’ projects in the region include large housing developments such as the new settlement at Long Marston Airfield in Warwick, as well as the upgrade and improvement of major shopping centres such as intu Merry Hill in Dudley, and Upper Precinct in Coventry.

James Fennell, chief executive of Lichfields, said: “Jon fits the bill perfectly. He is strong in the residential sector and is complemented by former colleague Stephen Hollowood who will help us to grow our national public/private sector offering.

“We have acted on a large number of schemes in the Midlands over the years and the opening of the Birmingham office demonstrates the extent of our ambition to build upon these successful foundations.”

Lichfields new office brings its UK presence to nine including; Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Thames Valley.