Kent consultancy expands to meet housing boom

A planning practice in Kent is looking to expand to meet spiralling demand for housing in the south east.

Bloomfields' director Thomas Ogden told Planning: "A lot of authorities have a shortfall of housing and aren't meeting their objectives.

"They can't demonstrate a five-year supply of land and even with the ones that have, we are seeing a lot of appeals, so we have to adjust to that and submit sites to respective authorities."

Ogden said the practice focused on rural projects such as housing within the Kent Downs area of outstanding natural beauty (pictured). 

The firm, based in Paddock Wood, is looking to increase the size of its planning team, which currently numbers seven planners, by recruiting a senior or associate planner.

The firm said that the new postholder will lead projects and contribute to larger scale schemes. As well as housing, the practice deals with rural business development, local plan representations and enforcement matters.

Has your organisation recently made a new appointment or promotion? If so, please let us know by emailing planning@haymarket.com