A PLANNING consultancy has made a number of new appointments.

Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners (NLP) has welcomed eight staff to its Newcastle office.

Bosses say the move means it now employs 40 workers in the region.

The appointments include associate directors Phil Jones and James Taylor, senior planner Gayle Black, economics consultant Amy Farrelly, and planners Rebecca White, Chris Smith, Oonagh Baxter and Dominic Holding.

Jonathan Wallace, director, said: “We see are seeing large volumes of business coming through in housing and associated developments, plus new opportunities in education, energy and infrastructure.

“Our new recruits are joining the firm at an exciting time as confidence levels are rising strongly in the North-East and wider development community.”

The Newcastle office acts for a number of major developers, landowners and housebuilders, with national clients including Eldon Square and Metrocentre owner Intu.