An independent Birmingham planning and development agency has been acquired by global consultancy and project management group Arcadis.

Edgbaston-based Brooke Smith Planning has become part of the Arcadis group which has offices all over the world including in Baskerville House in Birmingham.

Established in 1994 by Louise Brooke-Smith, the consultancy offers planning advice in areas such as housing and the public sector.

Ms Brooke-Smith will lead the planning capabilities across the UK as well as head up the Arcadis social value client offering, a newly created service to look at how businesses can further improve quality of life for clients and the communities they serve.

She said: "The devolution agenda, and all that it brings with it, has only increased the need for the very best when it comes to land use planning and development advice.

"Joining Arcadis at this key time means we are able to offer the very best to both the nation's businesses and the communities they serve.

"Moving across in the additional capacity of leading the firm's social value capabilities is a clear signal of intent that Arcadis sees improving communities as a core area of work."

Simon Marks, city executive for Birmingham at Arcadis, added: "This is a really significant move for Arcadis here in the UK.

"Adding the expertise and vast experience of such a well-respected town planning consultancy to our existing offering is good news for our clients and our business.

"Having worked on some of the most complex and important town planning projects the country has seen in recent times means our clients are set to benefit from a genuinely first class team."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.