Real estate advisory firm Newsteer has made a string of appointments over the past six months centred on growing its planning team.
Jamie Alba-Duignan, a chartered town planner with experience in delivering planning applications and site promotions across the commercial, retail, light industrial and mixed-use sectors, takes the role of planner.
Newsteer said her work has helped unlock sites for sustainable growth and regeneration, and that she brings a "keen emphasis on aligning stakeholder priorities and navigating complex planning frameworks" to its team.
Harry Capstick, a chartered Royal Town Planning Institute planner, joins at the same level. He has experience of guiding projects from inception through to delivery across sectors including, logistics, commercial, roadside, residential, mixed-use, and retail, the firm said.
The third planner is Mark Battersby. Newsteer said he has expertise in preparing and submitting planning applications, including Section 73 applications, Listed Building Consents and planning appeals.
He also has experience advising clients on planning strategy embedded in detailed knowledge of green belt and grey belt sites.
The final addition to the team is Oyebola Ogundipe, who is hired as an assistant planner. The firm said his experience in planning appraisals, applications, and appeals across residential and commercial schemes, including in policy-sensitive areas such as the green belt and conservation areas, "will prove invaluable to the Newsteer team, particularly in responding to complex site constraints".
Alastair Crowdy, managing director at Newsteer, said in a statement: "At Newsteer, we believe the best way to invest in our client relationships is by investing in our people. We’re therefore delighted to welcome such a strong group of new talent to the team, further strengthening our planning offer.
"These appointments are an important step in our strategic growth journey, building on last year’s investment in our Occupier Advisory team. As we expand across all services to support a growing client base, we’re excited to bring together exceptional expertise that delivers unique real estate solutions — going beyond advice to shape the next chapter of our growth."
This month Newsteer advised law firm Hargreaves Lansdown on its circa 90,000-square-foot deal at Bristol's Welcome Building offices, the largest letting in the city centre for six years.