Planning boom at Jones Lang LaSalle results in new graduate appointment17th June 2012

A marked increase in planning business over the past six months and significant work in the pipeline has prompted Jones Lang LaSalle to appoint a new graduate recruit, Ravinder Bains.

Local girl, Ravinder, age 22, who graduated from the University of Manchester and has returned to her home city of Birmingham where she was educated at King Edward VI Camp Hill, will provide a supporting role to the planning team, which is working with a number of high profile clients including Birmingham City Council, Nurton Developments, RBS, St Modwen and Ashfield Land.

Having already worked with the Jones Lang LaSalle team on work experience before getting the position, Ravinder said: “Joining one of the largest planning teams in the city at such a dynamic time in planning, provides a great opportunity to gain experience and learn from professionals involved in the cut and thrust of some really complex and challenging schemes.

“The National Planning Policy Framework is creating new territory for developers and working with clients such as Nurton Developments on gaining planning for a new multi-million pound ‘new community’ in Burton, creating 2,850 new homes and 50 acres of employment land designed to create up to 3000 jobs, really sees the principles of the NPPF in action and is a fantastic grounding for a new graduate such as myself.”

Peter Leaver, planning director at Jones Lang LaSalle Birmingham said: “Ravinder is a welcome addition to the team at a time when we are forecasting 50% more business than we were 12 months ago. Development and planning consultancy is now essential to landowners to improve their positions. More and more, developers and housebuilders are working on future strategic sites, reviewing existing landbanks and improving planning permissions to turn sites.

“The new NPPF now offers a more positive approach and the creation of a strong presumption in favour of sustainable development will help get the construction and housebuilding sectors back on their feet. The government realised that to stifle the planning system also stifles growth and access to funding is already a big enough challenge for the property industry, without putting further obstacles in the way. Now is a great time to get planning permission, particularly for any development land that will create jobs.”