A decade ago, we made the move from working in Scotland to working from Scotland. In 2015, we put down roots on George Street, Edinburgh—bringing the same proven approach that has driven our success across the UK: rigorous research, strategic insight, and a relentless focus on delivering results.
It wasn’t a leap of faith; we did our homework. Our launch was backed by two heavyweight research pieces—the Socio-Economic Value of Housing in Scotland and housing market strength or otherwise in the Central Belt. These set the tone for what we’ve always aimed to do: provide strategic advice that shapes policy, supports investment, and drives sustainable growth.
From retail to renewables: How our work has evolved
In our early years, our focus was clear:
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Retail: Helping Marks & Spencer roll out Simply Food stores and supporting INTU at Braehead.
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Leisure & Tourism: Driving investment at Cameron House, plus major upgrades for Haven at Craig Tara and Seton Sands.
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Housing & Economics: Teaming up with Homes for Scotland to prepare the first of two “Socio-Economic Benefits of Home Building in Scotland” reports.
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Education: Using our education capacity studies to negotiate fairer and proportionate school contributions for clients.
From there, the projects got bigger. We helped deliver the Barony Campus in East Ayrshire, a transformational education and sports project. We secured permission for Crosswind Developments’ 3,000-home community on Edinburgh Airport’s former second runway. We even expanded beyond Scotland, preparing a Development Plan for HM Government of Gibraltar.
What’s driving growth in 2025 and beyond?
Scotland’s planning landscape has shifted. Traditional retail isn’t what it was, but new opportunities are emerging through the repurposing of town centres and the rise of experiential leisure destinations. We’re actively supporting these shifts, enabling new leisure and hospitality concepts that respond to changing consumer demands. At the same time, we continue to play a key role in the strategic expansion of McDonald’s across Scotland and the UK, helping to bring new sites forward. Housing work has moved to a greater emphasis on site promotion under NPF4. Infrastructure First means our education capacity assessments are more critical than ever. And energy is the new frontier, with our team working on grid stability projects, battery storage, and renewables.
We’ve also strengthened our voice in shaping policy. Our office leader, Nicola Woodward, was directly involved in the Planning Act (2019) review, and we continue to influence planning at both national and local levels.
Celebrating 10 Years: what’s next?
In the coming months, we’ll be sharing insights, working with clients, and addressing the key challenges and opportunities shaping Scottish planning:
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Plan Making – What early gate checks tell us about the future of the system.
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The Housing Crisis – Practical solutions for policymakers and developers.
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Sustainable Growth – How planning can truly support the economy.
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Developer Contributions – What’s fair and proportionate?
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Energy Projects – From consent to delivery.
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Holiday Accommodation – How the sector is evolving.
It’s been a great 10 years, but we’re just getting started. And yes, we’ll be marking the occasion in style—save the date for our anniversary party in June! (RSVP to
Rachel.hadfield@lichfields.uk if you’d like to attend).
Here’s to the next decade of supporting Scotland’s growth.
