'There is enormous potential here': Award-winning Northern Ireland planning consultants open new permanent office
A new Ebrington Square base will strengthen TSA Planning’s presence in the north west as the consultancy builds on its growing portfolio of major housing, regeneration, infrastructure and investment projects across the region
One of Northern Ireland’s leading independent planning consultancies has strengthened its commitment to the north west by establishing a permanent base in the region.
TSA Planning’s new office at Ebrington Square will be led by technical director Sarah Barrett, supporting the consultancy’s growing portfolio of projects and clients across the north west.
Founded in 2008 and named RTPI UK Small Planning Consultancy of the Year in 2023, TSA works with developers, investors, landowners and organisations to navigate the planning system and bring forward developments across the residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, renewable energy and regeneration sectors.
The new office builds on TSA’s established track record in the north west, where the consultancy is already involved in a number of significant developments.
Among these is The Cashel, formerly known as H2, a major new expansion to the city of around 2500 new homes west of the Buncrana Road which also includes a new high street and town park, with the first homes already delivered. TSA is also involved in Rosses Gate, a major residential development of approximately 920 affordable homes in the Waterside area, as well as key City Deal projects driving the growth of Ulster University’s campus in the city.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said: “I am delighted to welcome TSA Planning to Ebrington and to see another company recognising the huge potential of the North West. The decision to establish a permanent base here is a strong vote of confidence in our region and reflects the significant opportunities that exist across housing, regeneration, infrastructure and investment.
“As a Council, we are committed to supporting sustainable growth and creating the conditions that enable businesses to thrive. TSA Planning has already played an important role in a number of major developments across the North West, and I look forward to seeing the positive contribution the company and its new local team will make in supporting the continued development and prosperity of our city and district.”
Leading the north west operation, Sarah Barrett is a Chartered Town Planner with more than 20 years’ experience in planning and development. Before joining TSA in 2024, she spent a decade as a senior planning officer within Derry City and Strabane District Council’s strategic projects team, giving her extensive experience of major development across the region.
Sarah said: “Opening a permanent office in the north west is a significant step for TSA and I’m delighted to be leading this next stage of the company’s growth in the region.
“There is enormous potential here, with opportunities across housing, renewable energy, regeneration, infrastructure, education and investment. TSA already has a strong track record of helping to deliver significant projects in the north west and having a team based here means we can work even more closely with clients and stakeholders to help turn that potential into development on the ground.”
TSA managing director, Tom Stokes, said the expansion reflected the consultancy’s long-term commitment to the region: “The north west is an important growth market for TSA and we see significant opportunities to bring our entire team’s experience of complex planning, major development and regeneration to projects across the region.
“Good planning has an important role to play in creating homes, attracting investment, supporting employment and creating sustainable communities. By establishing a permanent presence here, we want TSA to play its part in supporting the north west’s continued growth.”
TSA has an established portfolio of major projects across Northern Ireland, spanning residential development, purpose-built student accommodation, retail, hospitality and the regeneration and reuse of prominent listed buildings. The consultancy has secured planning for more than 6,000 student bedrooms in Belfast in recent years, alongside thousands of residential units, several million square feet of commercial floorspace and thousands of megawatts in renewable energy across Northern Ireland.