About Us

klr Planning Ltd was established in 2015 by Chartered Town Planner Karen Read.

A results-driven planning consultancy, klr Planning works with commercial organisations using, or needing to engage with, the town planning system to secure planning permission for new development, change of use of land and buildings, or improvements to an existing property portfolio – amongst other things.

Recent projects include:

• Farmfoods Ltd – new store in Consett
• Newcastle Building Society – HQ Branch at Monument, Newcastle
• The Inn Collection Group - Tynemouth Castle Inn, Tynemouth
• Remondis UK – on-going assistance with waste management facilities
• Tynexe Commercial – office development at AirView Park, Newcastle
• Project Genesis Ltd – mixed use development at Derwent View, Consett
• Aldi Stores Ltd – new stores in the North East region
• Everyman – cinema at the former Legends Nightclub in Newcastle

Karen started her career with development economists, Roger Tym & Partners, in Manchester where she worked on the economic cases for the Metrolink Extension to Eccles via Salford Quays and the City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad Stadium), assisted in drafting the Economic Strategy for Stockport Council and undertook planning work for food retailers including retail assessments. She moved to Development Planning Partnership (DPP), assisting clients such as Tesco Stores Ltd to secure permissions for large format stores.

A move to the North East in 2002 took her to law firm Muckle LLP where she established a track record in the region acting for Dysart Developments, Project Genesis Ltd, Newcastle and Northumbria University’s and City of Sunderland College amongst others.

In 2007 Karen returned to DPP to set up a Newcastle office, moved to Signet Planning as a Regional Director in 2011 and then set up klr Planning in 2015. Karen is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has a BA (Hons) in Economic Development and Planning, and Diploma In Town Planning.