Consultancy shifts to bigger office to accommodate growth

National planning and development consultancy, Lichfields, has relocated its Leeds office to a new, larger space in the city centre as its team continues to expand.

The office provides room for further growth and improved collaborative space.

The consultancy’s Leeds operation has grown from three people when it was established in 2011 to what is soon to be a 20-strong team.

Chris Darley, Head of Lichfields’ Leeds office, said: “We’re proud of how far the Leeds office has come since we opened our doors with just three members of staff.

“The move to larger premises reflects not only our growth in headcount and the expanding range of specialisms and sectors we support, but also the strong and lasting relationships we have built with our clients.

“The new space puts us right at the centre of the action, close to many of our clients, partners and key transport links and offers the right environment to take the next step in our development.”

The Leeds office is currently supporting clients including a range of national housebuilders, land promoters, developers, infrastructure providers and major retailers such as Lidl and McDonalds, responding to new development opportunities across the region.

High-profile projects include planning support for Dyecoats on Kirkstall Road, one of Leeds’s largest brownfield regeneration sites, which will deliver over 1,600 new homes, commercial space and a new riverside park.

Other recent work includes securing consent to repurpose the Grade II* listed former Bank of England building in Leeds into modern office space, and acting for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on the redevelopment of the Leeds General Infirmary which, along with other initiatives in the area, will form part of Leeds’s health tech innovation hub.

The team is also leading planning work on a Development Consent Order for a hydrogen gas storage facility at Aldbrough in East Yorkshire – one of the largest of its kind globally.

The office move follows the recent promotion of Emma Gomersal and James Cox to planning directors. They bring extensive expertise across sectors including strategic land, residential, retail, tourism and infrastructure.