Planning and architectural firm announces several new additions

Planning consultants, architects and heritage specialists Planning and Design Practice has announced a raft of new hires in response to continuing demand for its services.

Following a restructure of the business and a change of management team earlier this year, the firm, which is based in Derby and has another office in Sheffield, has announced several new additions to its planning, architectural and heritage teams.

Project architect Manik Karunaratne has joined the business, bringing experience on office buildings, high rise apartments buildings, housing developments and barn conversions.

Andrew Stock has also joined as a principal planner, having spent over seven years working in local government during which he gained a wealth of knowledge on a range of planning applications, including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural developments of various scales.

Having recently completed a Master’s degree in Public History and Heritage at the University of Derby, Ruth Gray joins the firm’s heritage team as heritage assistant.

Planning and Design Practice is also encouraging and supporting emerging talent with the additions of Joshua Bunce and Matthew Kempster as junior architectural technicians, and Katy Francis, Emily Anderson, Caitlin Holton and Shaun Hyde as graduate planners.

Director Richard Pigott said: “We are excited to be growing the team again following the restructuring earlier in the year and the appointment of the new management team.

“This is in response to continuing demand for our services and demonstrates our confidence in the future in both our Derby and Sheffield offices, reflecting the positive economic outlook in these two great cities.”