Partners launch MWT Planning

The consultancy firm, with offices in Lancashire and Cumbria, has been established by Christie McDonald, Claire Wilkinson and Harry Tonge.

The trio, who all previously worked at Steven Abbott Associates, boast a combined 60 years experience in both public and private sectors between them, and cover all planning specialisms throughout the UK.

Over the past 18 years of private sector work, McDonald has grown a client base and reputation through working on residential development on Green Belt sites.

He also recently acted for Towngate on a successful application for a major commercial scheme in Salford which is now occupied and in operation.

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Wilkinson has 20 years’ experience within planning, with experience ranging from Green Belt and rural matters through to large commercial and residential developments.

Most recently she has had a flurry of glamping-associated work having secured permission for client Derry Green and The Secret Garden glamping. Other clients include Notre Homes, Huntapac and Southport Land & Property.

Tonge has been based in Kendal for more than a decade, becoming well versed in planning matters in sensitive locations. In recent years he has secured consent for a number of housing schemes, hotel extensions and holiday park developments, and was also the planning agent for the application for the replacement of Pooley Bridge.

Notable current clients include Barratt Homes, Holgates Holiday Parks, Lake District Audi and English Lakes Hotels.

In his previous role, Tonge spoke at a Place North West Cumbria Development Update.

Of the new firm, McDonald said: “We have been colleagues for a number of years and, after working together so well over those years, it felt like the next logical step was to set up business together.

“The primary aim of MWT Planning is to provide planning advice and services to developers, landowners and private individuals across all sectors of development to secure residential, commercial, recreation, leisure and mixed-use developments anywhere in the UK.

“The three of us are members of the Royal Town Planning Institute and pride ourselves on approaching each job with an open mind and tailoring our advice on a case-by-case, site-by-site basis, to meet the client’s brief.

“No matter the scale of the project, if you have a site that you have development aspriations for, do not hesitate to get in touch.”