The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said it now has a “full portfolio” of planning and land-based services available to members following its acquisition of Woolf Bond.
Woolf Bond, a Reading-based planning company, provides planning advice to the property sectors which includes the housing and mixed-use sectors.
Its addition to the NFU’s professional services is part of the union’s strategy to bolster income and increase the offer for members.
NFU commercial and investment director Ken Sutherland said: “The acquisition of Woolf Bond is a great addition to the professional services available to NFU members, particularly in relation to planning and land use aspects.
“We now have offices across all of our English regions that provide a range of professional planning advice and consultancy.
“Our highly ranked planning firms, combined with the brilliant offer from NFU Energy means all members have a great range of professional services at their fingertips.”
Woolf Bond planning director Steven Brown said: “We are delighted to have the support of a nationally respected organisation.
“We are excited about our future growth strategy and continued commitment to providing specialist planning advice to the development industry, landowners and NFU members in helping them achieve their development aspirations.”
PWA Planning
In May, the NFU announced that it was joining forces with PWA Planning with the aim of growing a national service focused on land use for its members.
PWA Planning provides planning and land advisory services across different sectors, including the housing, commercial and industrial, sports and leisure and energy sectors.
In 2021, the company launched Energy Planning, a specialist division focused on renewable energy projects such as solar and wind developments and battery energy storage schemes.
NFU’s director of commercial and investment, Ken Sutherland, said: “The acquisition of PWA Planning is part of our plans to grow a national professional service, focused on all aspects of land use, to our members and it is a very welcome addition to the NFU membership offer.
“PWA’s sector expertise, in particular its residential and energy specialisms, together with its experience advising on a wide range of land diversification projects, is also a perfect fit with our other businesses such as NFU Energy.”
PWA Planning managing director Paul Walton said: “This is great news for our clients, staff and consultancy partners because it gives our business firm foundations on which to build for the future.
“Coming under the NFU umbrella allows us to benefit from additional resources and expertise, which allows us to add extra value to our present and future clients.”
