One of Northern Ireland's best-known planning consultants has taken the bold step of setting up a new planning consultancy business in Belfast, despite the challenges faced by the local development and construction sectors.

Clyde Shanks says that his new eponymous company, established with support from Ulster Bank, will offer a full range of planning consultancy services, blending a focus on traditional core sectors of the local development market whilst targeting growth areas such as renewable energy.

The new company has already secured work on major development schemes, including the construction of a major commercial leisure scheme and on a number of planned renewable energy projects.

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Clyde Shanks says that despite the perception of a challenging market, he believes there are still good opportunities for an independent local planning consultancy.

Mr Shanks said: "The market is certainly very different from a few years ago, but many of the changes that have taken place present opportunities.

"There is so much to be done over the next 10 years in planning development of our energy infrastructure, both in terms of new renewable sources and the necessary grid infrastructure expansion.

"There is also pressing work to be done in re-adjusting and re-shaping development schemes planned at the height of the boom. There is a sense that we are returning to reality and starting to concentrate on what is genuinely deliverable.

"With the changes that have taken place in the market, I also think there is now an even greater focus on personal relationships.

"Clients are looking for flexible, locally-owned firms for valuable advice. One of the reasons I decided to set up the new business was to offer excellent levels of professional service and quality of advice at an affordable price," he said.

(CD)