Andrew Watt, one of the two founders of the Manchester-based planning consultant HOW, has left to create his own company, Bury-based Maze Planning Solutions.
Watt and Gary Halman founded HOW two years ago when they left Insignia Richard Ellis.
Watt said: “Gary and I have worked together since I first came to Manchester 10 years ago, and we’ve always got on very well.
“But as the new business grew, it became clear we just had different ideas about work-life balance. I thought we were working a sensible length of day but my partner seemed to want to commit to longer days and make more money.
“A successful partnership has to be based on common principles and objectives and when there is a difference of opinion it is time to leave.”
Watt has taken several clients with him from HOW, including 200,000 sq ft (18,580 sq m) of retail warehousing in Durham for Dragonville Developments, backed by Consolidated Property Group. A decision on the scheme will be made next year, following a public inquiry last summer.
Another project that is moving from HOW to Maze is a 123-acre (50ha) scheme at West Bowling Golf Club in Bradford for Leeds-based Landmark Development Projects, which is set to go before a public inquiry in the first quarter of 2004.
References: EGi News 09/12/03
