NJL recruits from Taylor Wimpey

Manchester-based planning practice NJL Consulting has hired Paul Smith, land and planning director at Taylor Wimpey, to help drive the residential land side of the business.

NJL now employs 14 staff from its Didsbury office and has plans to recruit further during this financial year. The company is advising on 14,000 residential units at varying stages of planning around the country as well as commercial and retail developments.

Nick Lee, founder partner, said: "With the introduction of new national planning guidance there will be a greater focus on the viability and delivery of sites as well as considering how local communities will benefit from proposals. All of this needs the best people to be able to work with clients and we see Paul's commercial background and pedigree as being a major element of our ability to provide the best possible advice and to lead our residential planning service."

NJL's clients include the Co-operative Group, Bloor Homes, David Wilson Homes, Ainscough Strategic Land, Strategic Land Group and numerous private land owners.

Smith added: "The fit between my commercial background and the way NJL do business with clients is excellent and one that can be capitalised on to the benefit of the business and to clients in particular. We feel our ability to manage complex projects from advice on acquisition through scheme design to securing commercially attractive planning consents will set us apart."

Smith will start in his new post on Monday 2 April.