Brookbanks welcomes the return of Lee Witts under the new role of Business and Development Director
Following a short hiatus away from the business, Lee re-joins Brookbanks where he had worked since 2013 previously in the role of Technical Director.
In his new role Lee will lead the Company’s business development for current and new clients across all Technical, Commercial, Development Management and Master Developer areas. Lee will work closely with the Environment Team providing strategic leadership across Highways and Transportation, Utilities, Ground, Flood Risk and Drainage, Noise and Air teams for our clients through Plan Promotion to Planning Permissions.
Andrew Thorley, Operations and Executive Director of Brookbanks said:
“Lee is a key recruit for our Company, and will help drive our strategic business plan over the coming years. We are all looking forward to welcoming him back into the team”
Brookbanks was established in 1997 and offers multidisciplinary professional and Master Developer services, focused on the promoters, deliverers and owners of major development, property and infrastructure projects across the UK, driving projects from initial feasibility through planning, implementation and into operation.
The UK’s housing delivery challenge is well-documented. Yet amid the national conversation about planning reform, infrastructure, and build-out rates, one group consistently punches above its weight: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) housebuilders. SMEs are a vital part of the solution, but they face very real and persistent hurdles development strategies.
At Brookbanks, we know EV charging becomes far more manageable when it’s approached as part of a wider development picture rather than an isolated task. Rising regulatory demands, limited capacity, cost pressures and the realities of underground or enclosed parking all interact in ways that can affect programme, viability and long‑term performance. This article looks at the recurring challenges we see across residential, commercial and mixed‑use projects and the practical steps that help developments meet Part S requirements, manage grid limitations, integrate load‑balancing and smart‑charging systems, and plan for solar PV and battery storage. The aim is to provide clear, grounded insight that helps teams design EV strategies that genuinely stand up to modern development demands.
Welcome to our February 2026 newsletter. In this issue, we will be sharing what’s been happening over the past month, including our two new podcasts highlighting the common pitfalls around S278 and S38 highway approvals, and what the Planning & Infrastructure Bill means for developers in England and Wales, with special guest Mark Harris from HBF Wales. We’re also looking back on our latest article, which explored how unspent S106 and CIL funds create opportunities to review, challenge and optimise legacy obligations, and why combining planning expertise with commercial insight is key to unlocking value. Plus, we are rounding off by showcasing one of our team's achievements.