RPS strengthens planning capability in the north of England

RPS is strengthening its planning capability in the north of England with the appointment of Katherine Putnam.

Katherine, who has been appointed to lead our North West planning team, joins RPS from Chartway Group where she was Head of Planning. Having held senior positions in both the public and private sectors, Katherine has extensive first-hand experience of working with housebuilders, unitary, county and local authorities, and planning consultancies.

“Manchester and Greater Manchester is already growing rapidly and is set to see significant change over the next 20 years” comments Tim Partridge, Operational Director at RPS. “A target 200,000 homes are expected to be built in the region over the period to help meet current demand and offset the impact of the housing crisis. Additionally, the Greater Manchester Spatial Strategy is driving the delivery of a minimum of 50,000 additional affordable homes – 30,000 of which will be ring-fenced for social housing”.

“Katherine’s experience will be a key asset as we look to expand the range and scope of the services we offer to our clients throughout the northern regions” he continues.

Katherine will work alongside locally-based colleagues from our environmental, heritage, design, engineering and project management teams to support clients to solve the problems that matter and deliver the future growth for the region. 

Katherine said: “This is an exciting time to be joining RPS as we strengthen our planning capabilities in the north of England, and I’m looking forward to working with the talented team we already have in place in Manchester".

“Manchester and the north west are undergoing huge changes and will continue to evolve and expand. Through our extended planning services we’re committed to playing a key role in providing the best advice for our clients and partners in the region.”

RPS currently employs over 100 staff in Manchester and is engaged in the delivery of key projects in the region, including The Lancastrian, a 274-home build-to-rent development in New Cross, Manchester and the £26 million transformation of part of the Lowry Outlet Mall, which will become a new waterfront dining offering. 

For more information on our planning capability click here.