The planning and development consultancy behind Edinburgh’s first new malt whisky distillery in 100 years has opened an office in Glasgow – its first outside London.

Iceni Projects brings decades of collective experience in planning and development, advising on high-profile and complex projects across Scotland.

The Scottish team will be led by Gary Mappin and Ian Gallacher. Gary brings 25 years’ planning experience to the role. He joins Iceni from his own consultancy, Mappin Consulting, having previously advised Scottish clients as a regional senior director for GVA Grimley. Ian joins from GVA Grimley, joining after 15 years in their planning team in Glasgow, latterly a director.

Senior planner Pamela Turner, and new start planner Sara Cockburn, complete the Glasgow Iceni team.

Iceni Projects Scotland toasted an early success when the City of Edinburgh Council approved Holyrood Park Distillery’s application to develop the Engine Shed building and site on St Leonard’s Lane into a single malt whisky distillery and visitor centre.

The team is also advising on a number of other high-profile projects including the redevelopment of the former Strathclyde Police HQ, the Royal High School redevelopment in Edinburgh and ABC2 student housing project in Glasgow.

Director Gary Mappin said: “We have a brilliant team in Scotland who have already hit the ground running with some exciting projects, such as Edinburgh’s first malt whisky distillery in 100 years. ­We are also delighted to be advising Moda Living on their ‘Holland Park’ development – the first purpose-built PRS scheme in Glasgow, proposed for the former Strathclyde Police HQ site.”

Iceni Projects was the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Planning Consultancy of the Year 2016 and is accredited by Property Week as one of the best companies to work at in property.

Director Ian Gallacher added: “The basis of our advisory service is experience and local knowledge which is why having a team on the ground here is so important.

“We hope that our clients in Scotland appreciate our commercially focused and no-nonsense approach. We take the job seriously – but not ourselves.”