Work on a Bradford housing scheme is among new projects driving growth for a Yorkshire planning consultancy, which has recorded its busiest-ever trading period.
Leeds-based DPA Planning, which is seeing success on the back of an expanding workload, secured an undisclosed five figures worth of submissions during June and July as it targets the £200,000 turnover mark by the end of the year.
Planning committee work for 130 houses on Goose Cote Lane in Bradford heads the latest round of work, whichincludesreserved matters for nine houses on Pudsey Road in Leeds.
Aretrospective application for a house on 257 Cemetery Road, Bradford; planning conditions for a house and permission for two residential barn conversions, all in Bardsey, Leeds, are also in the pipeline.
New appeal work covers a domestic extension on Sandy Lane in York and handling a refused application for retrospective housing in Bradford, while three lawful development certificates for multi-occupancy dwellings in Leeds are also in hand.
DPA Planning has also boosted the scope of its commercial activity, with planning committee and post work on an extension to Bradford’s Keighley Industrial Estate completed in the last two months.
Single source project management services, strong council planning experience and a track record resolving complex planning issues, are driving growth, said owner Sam Dewar, who has further ambitions for the business.
These include plans to expand design work and architecture technology capacity with the addition of new starters – he’s currently recruiting for several roles.
He said: “The last two months have been the busiest since we started the firm in 2015. We are continuing to forge ahead, helping to open up new opportunities for our clients on the back of a growing reputation and profile.
“We’re not only involved in planning work across Yorkshire now, but also in other parts of the country, which is encouraging and contributing to growth.”
Sam Dewar, who is also currently involved in consultancy troubleshooting work for a Devon council, says the planning landscape is shifting in the face of recent revisions to the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework).
Changes could see hundreds of smaller developers across Yorkshire struggling over issues around ‘viability’, particularly those involved in bringing smaller schemes to the market.
“We are busier than ever before and to continue to secure work as demand for our expertise continues from clients, who are seeking help to navigate the recent planning changes,” he said.