Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners

Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd (NLP) is one of the UK’s leading independent town planning consultancies providing specialist advice on all aspects of the planning process. Founded in 1962 it is also one of the oldest in the UK.
It advises a wide range of private sector clients including most of the large housebuilders, major infrastructure providers, developers, financial institutions, operators and landowners; as well as many clients in the public sector ranging from local planning authorities and health trusts to local enterprise partnerships and universities.
NLP is recognised as the leading Planning, Design and Economics Consultancy in the market place, having been named RTPI Consultancy of the Year for three consecutive years, an unprecedented achievement.
History
NLP has been involved in many well-known developments throughout its history including Stansted Airport, the London Eye, Wembley National Stadium and the MetroCentre.
The business was established as Nathaniel Lichfield Associates in 1962 by Professor Nathaniel Lichfield. During the early years it was involved in the planning of several of the New Towns, including Milton Keynes and Peterborough and many large scale shopping developments, including Brent Cross in North London and the Arndale Centre in Manchester.
Major masterplanning commissions were undertaken in the Middle East and Africa complementing the growth of residential and retail and town centre work in the UK. Nathaniel Lichfield advised the Roskill Commission which was investigating the need for a third London airport, subsequently leading to NLP’s involvement with London Stansted Airport and later London City Airport.
The company has grown significantly and now has over 100 people based in its head office in Kings Cross. It opened its second office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1992 and now has eight offices across the UK, employing 215 people in total. There are 23 Senior Directors including some of the most respected professionals in the planning industry.
NLP now operates in most property sectors with the greater proportion of its revenue derived from residential, infrastructure and retail and commercial property development projects across the UK.
The Company was originally set up as a partnership and is now a limited company which is wholly owned by an Employee Benefit Trust.
Key People
Chairman - Justin Gartland
Justin is based in NLP’s Leeds office after 7 years in the Manchester office and 16 in London. Justin leads the business in major infrastructure projects and has extensive experience in urban regeneration, housing, industrial and leisure developments. Justin is responsible for developing, planning and formulating policy advice for NLP in the North of England. He leads The York Potash Project, the world’s largest and deepest polyhalite mine situated in the North York Moors National Park.
Chief Executive - James Fennell
James is based in NLP’s London office. He joined the company as a Planning Assistant in 1988 and became Chief Executive in 2007 leading the business through a major growth phase in the company’s history, in the aftermath of the recession. He works for private sector clients on projects ranging from long term strategies realising major development opportunities, to assisting asset managers on policy making and development management issues. He also advises the public sector on major development projects, land and building disposal, and provides strategic development management advice.
RTPI/RICSS
NLP has Learning Partner status with the RTPI and is regulated by the RICS. As well as employing a large number of planners and surveyors NLP also employs urban designers, economists, graphic designers and GIS specialists
Operations
NLP has eight offices across England, Scotland and Wales in: Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Thames Valley. The practice employs over 215 staff.
NLP Projects
NLP advises on a wide range of project work across all the property sectors across the whole of the UK. Examples include:
American Express, Brighton
NLP secured planning permission for the new UK Headquarters building for American Express. The proposals involved the creation of approximately 40,000 square metres of office development at the heart of Brighton’s Edward Street Quarter.
Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
NLP has advised Ashton Gate Ltd and Bristol Sport Ltd on planning and environmental matters across a number of projects since 2008. Planning permission was secured in 2013 to redevelop Ashton Gate Stadium including two new stands which will increase capacity to 27,000. The construction works are due to complete in 2016.
Intu, Renfrewshire
NLP advises intu across the UK and in Scotland is assisting with proposals for a £200m mixed use development scheme at Braehead.
BBC New Broadcasting House, London
NLP prepared and negotiated applications for planning, listed building, and conservation area consent for the redevelopment of the BBC’s W1 site creating Europe’s largest news broadcast centre.
Carlyon Bay, St Austell
NLP is working on behalf of CEG on a unique mixed use development at Carlyon Bay on the Cornish Coast. The development comprises over 500 new houses, 10,000 square metres of commercial/leisure floor space and new sea defences.
Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal Expansion
NLP secured the country’s first ‘commercial’ Development Consent Order, with the expansion of Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT); the UK’s busiest strategic rail freight interchange.
Greenwich Peninsula
Outline planning permission for 12,678 residential units, media and film studios, offices, two new primary schools, a visitor attraction, a new public transport interchange, a new bus station, retail use, a hotel, and a 5 km running track was secured for one of the largest development projects in the UK.
London Eye
NLP obtained planning permission and listed building consent for the permanent retention of The London Eye on the South Bank of the River Thames. The London Eye is now an established landmark and NLP continues to work with Merlin Entertainments Group to enhance the offer of this major London attraction.
NLP also advises Merlin Entertainments Group on other major tourist attractions in the UK including LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Thorpe Park Resort, The Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds London, The London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure, SEA LIFE, and Warwick Castle.
Manchester Town Hall Transformation Programme
NLP co-ordinated the planning and consultation strategy, including the submission of planning applications and applications for Listed Building Consent on the prestigious refurbishment and redevelopment of the Grade II* listed Manchester Town Hall Extension, Central Library and St Peter’s Square.
National Maritime Museum, London
NLP obtained planning and listed building consent for an extension to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to accommodate a new gallery, entrance, café/restaurant, and public art referred to as “Ship in a Bottle”.
Plasdwr, North West Cardiff
NLP has secured the allocation in the Cardiff Local Development Plan of a strategic urban extension for 7,000 new homes; transportation infrastructure; employment; community facilities; leisure and recreational space. A resolution to grant planning permission has been achieved for the first 630 dwellings and a primary school.
, Kew
NLP assisted the Royal Botanic Gardens to take forward its development programme with construction of the New Herbarium Building and Quarantine House and the refurbishment of the Temperature House.
NLP secured permission for the iconic 90,000 seat stadium. NLP continues to provide planning advice to the Wembley National Stadium Limited with regard to proposals to further enhance the stadium.
Woodford Aerodrome, Stockport
NLP prepared and negotiated planning permission for 920 dwellings, factories, shops and a primary school together with associated facilities on the site of the former Lancaster Bomber factory and airfield. The project involved the preparation of a supplementary planning document for the Council, the formulation of the development scheme, preparation of an Environmental Statement and discussion with the local authority through to the granting of planning permission and the signing of a S106 agreement. The development is being implemented.
Yew Tree Farm, Burscough
NLP prepared and negotiated planning permission for to 580 dwellings (C3); Extra Care or Care Accommodation (C2); a Local Centre (comprising up to 500m2 of A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 floorspace; and community uses); the construction of 4.6 hectares of Employment Development (up to 13,800m2 of B1, B2 and B8 floorspace); the provision of open space and associated recreation facilities (including parkland, allotments, play areas, a linear park, cycle and pedestrian facilities); 1,000 dwellings, factories, shops and a primary school together with associated facilities. The project involved the formulation of the development scheme, preparation of an Environmental Statement and discussion with the local authority through to the granting of planning permission and the signing of a S106 agreement.
NLP is advising on the world’s largest and deepest polyhalite mine involving a minehead development near Sneaton in North Yorkshire; a material handling facility near Redcar linked to the minehead via a 36.5 km tunnel; and a new harbour facility on Teesside.
Tools
NLP has become widely known for developing and using tools to assist their clients on their projects. These include many products which seek to identify potential and scope to enhance value through the planning process. A selection of NLP’s products are described below.
HEaDROOM: Objective Assessments of Local Housing Needs
NLP has developed a methodology for preparing objective assessments of local housing requirements in line with national guidance which has featured widely in planning across the UK.
eVALUATE: Making the Economic Case for Development
This is a framework to assess the economic benefits of a particular development strategy or individual scheme by considering the full range of local and wider impacts.
WORKspace: Planning for Employment Space and Business Needs
This is a framework to identify an area’s objectively assessed need for employment land and ensure an appropriate portfolio of sites is identified through the Plan process.
INTEGRATE: Assessing Development Needs through an Integrated Evidence Base
This is an integrated approach to planning for housing, employment, retail, leisure and infrastructure needs using consistent scenarios and assumptions across all key land use sectors.
FEMAplan: Defining Functional Economic Market Areas
FEMAplan is a flexible tool for local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships to define patterns of economic activity and demand to shape evidence base development for Local Plans.
BeDSPACE: Assessing the Capacity for New Purpose Built Student Accommodation
Designed for developers, operators, universities, colleges and local planning authorities this tool identifies opportunities, need and capacity for purpose built student accommodation.
CAREpacity: Demonstrating the case for care, retirement and sheltered housing
This is a specific package of tools aimed at helping developers assess the potential and present the planning case for specialist housing for older people.
FLIGHTPATH: Delivering Growth at Airports
This tool is designed to help clients maximise the economic and real estate potential of airport locations through identifying the right strategic approach to pursuing development and operational objectives.
Research
DCO: Friend or Foe? Does the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Regime Deliver ‘Fast-Track’ Consents?
DCO: Friend or Foe? provides a focussed analysis of the time taken by the 45 NSIPs who have completed the DCO application process to date. The review aims to provide a clearer understanding of the timescales involved, and if decisions really are being made efficiently.
Going for Growth - Reviewing the Effectiveness of Government Growth Initiatives
This report was authored by the British Property Federation, All Party Urban Development Group and NLP. It focuses on the extent to which Government initiatives have stimulated development activity and the strong public policy interest in helping to remove blockages to development where it can help stimulate and support economic growth.
The Economic Footprint of UK House Building - HBF Report
This study looks at a wide and comprehensive range of economic, social and environmental benefits generated through day-to-day house building in a way which has not been captured before.
The Economic and Social Benefits of Home Building in Scotland
To better understand and articulate the economic benefits housebuilding requires; Homes for Scotland commissioned NLP to assess the socio-economic footprint of the Scottish home building industry and to quantify the additional benefits which could be generated if delivery was increased to pre-recession levels.
Early Adopters and the Late Majority: A Review of Local Plan Progress and Housing Requirements
This research demonstrates how the NPPF is bringing about a “significant boost” in planned housing supply across England. Excluding London, up-to-date Local Plans are planning for 19% more housing than the equivalent household projections. It is this success the Government is aiming to replicate through faster, more focussed plan making, which works with the grain of the existing architecture of the planning system.
Devolving Growth? Local Opportunities for Strategic Infrastructure Investment
This paper explores how infrastructure investment and strategy is changing in a more devolved system and highlights ways in which local areas and central bodies can make best use of the funding available in order to achieve growth objectives.
Carrots and Sticks: A targets and incentives approach to getting more homes built in London
This report focusses on the practicalities of taking forward a central recommendation from Home Truths - how to introduce an effective system of “targets and incentives” to support more housebuilding.

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