PROPERTY consultants Knight Frank has announced a pair of new appointments to bolster the firm's residential team.

JAMES PLATTS is the firm's new head of residential development in Newcastle. Regeneration expert Mr Platts, a qualified surveyor who joined the residential agency team just over a year ago, has taken on the position as the firm looks to grow its operation across the North in areas such as Wearside, Teesside and North Cumbria.

Mr Platts has been instrumental in developing new land acquisition and disposal opportunities and has grown this side of the business significantly. Originally from Nottingham, he worked in Leeds before moving to the North-East five years ago.

He is supported by sales manager AMY WHYTE, who has played a vital role in schemes such as AMEC's fast-selling Freeman's Quay and Clements Wharf developments, part of the huge Walkergate regeneration scheme in Durham City, and Crosby's flagship Grove Park in Gosforth.

Mr Platts said: "I'm proud to be taking over as head of the residential developments team, and I'm looking forward to building on the strong work carried out by Knight Frank in the North-East and working closely with Amy and the team to continue developing our success on both the land and residential sales sides of the business."