A BOURNEMOUTH planning consultancy has welcomed a new member to its team.

Ken Parke Planning Consultancy (KPPC) has recruited Ethan Townsend as town planning consultant.

The Winton-based firm said the appointment has been made to meet ‘rising demand and progress growth plans’.

Ken Parke, managing director, said: “We give a warm welcome to Ethan as a valuable new member of our team.

“He has a strong background in public sector planning which has given him a thorough understanding of the planning system and how it operates, especially in enforcement related issues.

“Ethan has significant experience dealing with a wide range of developments and his role with us includes work on a wide variety of projects.”

Ethan, 24, has joined the firm from the New Forest National Park Authority and has experience in dealing with a wide range of residential and agricultural development.

Ethan was born and raised in Bournemouth, and still lives in the town.

He holds an undergraduate degree (Bsc) in human geography and has recently completed a Masters (Msc) in planning and development, both from Cardiff University.

Ethan said: “I am excited to join a firm with the reputational excellence of KPPC.

“I’m looking forward to working on schemes in the local area I know so well, in addition to those across the country while playing my part in improving the built landscape and contributing to future success of KPPC.”

Ethan follows hot on the heels of chartered town planner James Blake, who joined the nine-strong firm last year.

This year the company will celebrate its 21st anniversary.

Ken Parke Planning Consultants Ltd was founded in 2003 and serves clients across the UK from its offices in Bournemouth.

They include property developers, land owners, affordable housing providers, pension fund managers, private individuals, householders and businesses.

The firm’s specialisms include site appraisals, pre-application negotiations, planning applications and appeals, representations to planning committees, certificates of lawfulness, changes of use applications and planning enforcement matters.

It also offers advice on planning obligations such as Section 106 agreements and developer contributions, development plan representations, and site promotion.

The firm is led by managing director Ken Parke and financial director Angela Parke.