Hexham-based firm Hedley Planning is expanding into Newcastle with a new city centre office.

Set to serve as an additional site for business development activities and to facilitate the growing volume of city centre work, the office, Maybrook House on Grainger Street, will focus on several upcoming planning applications for student residential properties and aparthotel projects.

Alex Franklin, who is overseeing the office, plans to create new roles over the next year to meet demand.

Franklin cited the new location as beneficial for improving client meetings and retaining staff.

Work is already underway at numerous city centre projects at Old Eldon Square, Clayton Street and Metropolitan House.

Franklin said: "We will continue to deliver a quality service to clients across the North East from our Hexham office, but the time is now right to expand with this new office opening. "Newcastle is a key regional city, and our evolution and expansion seeks to strengthen our business development."

He continued: "It’s the start of an exciting new chapter for us, and we are very much looking forward to going from strength-to-strength."

Hedley Planning provides planning solutions to complex development proposals.