THE in-house planning and design team at Blackett Hart and Pratt (BHP) is continuing to expand with the appointment of another key figure.

BHP Develop has recruited planning consultant Katie Wood to its Newcastle-based operation, after more than seven years with Northumberland County Council.

She specialised in dealing with new applications and extensions for sand and gravel sites, hard rock and sandstone quarries, landfill sites and waste transfer stations.

It is the latest addition to the ranks of the recently-created BHP Develop, headed by Barney Corrigan, which comprises planning consultants and solicitors who provide services to private and public sector clients.

Ms Wood said: "My specialism is an interesting area to be working in at the moment. As far as waste is concerned, the emphasis is very much on recycling so we are seeing more applications for waste transfer stations and waste processing facilities.

"However, for the foreseeable future there will still be some need for landfill because there is still some residual waste."

Ms Wood also has experience of National Park planning, having been contracted to Northumberland National Park while at the county council.

"It's an exciting time to be joining Barney Corrigan and his team at BHP Develop, which is growing and has a great variety of work. After many years working in local authorities, it's the right time for me to join a consultancy with a good reputation,"

she said.