A leading Derby consultancy of planners, architects, and urban designers has taken on new staff and moved to bigger premises to cope with an increased workload.
But Planning Design of Vernon Gate did not move far – in fact they went from one side of Woburn House to the other taking up larger offices on the second floor!
The firm needed extra space but liked the current location and the new offices, almost half as big again and with a meeting room, ticked all the boxes.
Managing director Jonathan Jenkin set up the firm on Friargate in 2002. It moved to Vernon Gate in 2006 and after 10 years the number of staff has grown into double figures!
In the last year alone turnover has increased by a third to more than £600,000 and he felt the need to expand to tackle the work.
“We have seen a large increase in our turnover and the range and breadth of work that we do,” he said.
Planning Design has offices in Matlock and Macclesfield to deal with projects across Derbyshire, the Peak District, Cheshire, and Staffordshire, but also operates across the country, including London.
In addition to planning applications, appeals and inquiries it also deals with enforcement, heritage and conservation issues, masterplans, and urban design – anything from small scale to large developments.
The architectural side, headed by Lindsay Cruddas, has grown to a team of four and deals with a variety of issues including design of residential and commercial buildings and building regulations.
The practice has recently worked on housing schemes at Matlock, Doveridge, Hulland Ward and Stretton, and is currently involved in schemes at Pilsley and North Wingfield. One of the directors, Richard Pigott has just been involved in a public inquiry into plans to build 50 homes off North Avenue at Darley Abbey.
It was also involved in a major regeneration and redevelopment of the former Ashbourne airfield, and recently received planning approval for a new link road between the A52 and Blenheim Road which will make access easier and reduce traffic congestion.
“We are delighted to say that we are so busy,” said Jonathan. “The new offices give us space for further growth in employees as demand for our services continues to increase.”
The company takes a pride in continued staff development – planning consultant Scott O’Dell has become a chartered town planner and architectural assistant Byron Magumise had just completed his part two qualification.
The other director, Jon Millhouse, said: “This move is a great opportunity for us to work closer together as a multi-disciplinary team as we are now all on one floor as opposed to two before.”
