Breaking Property News 19/3/26
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Lichfields relocates to larger Edinburgh office amid team growth
New double sized company premises speeds scale up of services provision
Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has relocated its Edinburgh team to larger premises as the business continues to grow its presence in Scotland. Now located at Caledonian Exchange, the new office is 1,800 sq ft office, 56% larger than its previous base. It provides additional workspace and improved collaborative areas to support the team’s continued expansion. The move follows a decade of growth for the Edinburgh office, which marked its 10th anniversary last year. Since establishing in 2015 with a team of three, the office has steadily expanded and continues to add new talent, including several graduate planners.
The new office is designed to support further growth as the consultancy continues to work with clients across Scotland on a wide range of planning and development projects. The Edinburgh team currently advises on projects spanning the length of the country, from the Orkney Islands to Dumfries and Galloway, as well as across the central belt and into Aberdeenshire.
Nicola Woodward, who leads the Edinburgh office, said: “We are very proud of the success we have had for clients in Scotland over the past 10 years and this move to larger premises reflects the continued growth of the team here in Edinburgh. Over the past decade we have built a strong and experienced team supporting clients across a wide range of sectors, from housing and retail through to leisure, tourism and renewable energy.
“The new office gives us the space we need to continue expanding the team while also providing a more collaborative working environment. As we move into our second decade supporting clients across Scotland and beyond, this investment puts us in a strong position to build on the momentum we have developed and continue delivering successful outcomes for our clients.”
Lichfields’ workload includes supporting housebuilders and land promoters responding to calls for sites as planning authorities prepare new Local Development Plans ahead of the May 2028 deadline. The team is also advising on retail, leisure and tourism schemes including hotels and holiday parks, alongside an increasing number of battery energy storage and renewable energy projects.
In addition, the team continues to support two major fast-food operators on projects across Scotland, navigating the policy requirements introduced through National Planning Framework 4. Internationally, the Edinburgh office is also advising the HM of Gibraltar on the preparation of its new development plan.
Roisin Kingsbury, a planner in the Edinburgh office, added: “It’s exciting to be part of the Edinburgh office as we move into our new space, and I’m looking forward to the opportunities it will give us to continue supporting our clients and taking on new challenges as our team grows.”
Planning and development lies at the heart of the consultancy that advises on property and infrastructure projects. The firm works with developers, landowners, housebuilders, local authorities, and government bodies to help bring forward new developments.
Their core role is to guide projects through the UK planning system. This includes securing planning permission, advising on what can be built on a site, and developing strategies to maximise land value. They also provide research and economic analysis, assess housing need, and evaluate the viability and impact of developments.
It is involved in urban design and master planning, helping shape how towns and sites are developed. They support projects with environmental and heritage assessments and manage public consultation with local communities and stakeholders.
In practice, the company works on a wide range of schemes such as housing developments, town centre regeneration, infrastructure projects, and large mixed-use developments. Rather than building or investing in property themselves, Lichfields acts as an advisor, helping clients unlock land opportunities and secure approval for development.
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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