RTPI East Midlands Young Planners 2019 About Us Since our creation in 2008, we now represent nearly 280 Town Planners with up to 10 years post-qualification experience. We coordinate a range of thought provoking and relevant CPD events, social gatherings and networking opportunities for young planning professionals across the region. We have a 50:50 split of members between the private and public sectors. Awareness of our group and our membership continues to grow across the built environment. In 2016 we won the RTPI East Midlands Chairman s Award for Planning Excellence. We cover Derbyshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Northamptonshire Nottinghamshire Rutland Also useful if near Milton Keynes, West Midlands, South Yorkshire and Peterborough. Contact Us Email: ypeastmids@gmail.com Tweet to us @eastmidsrtpi Join our Facebook Group at East Midlands Young Planners LinkedIn us at RTPI Young Planners Network Please turn over to meet the Committee!
David Hutchinson Chair of the East Midlands Young Planners Senior Planner, Boyer Background: I graduated from the University of Birmingham in July 2011 with a BSc in Geography and Planning before completing an MSc in Urban Planning at Sheffield Hallam University in November 2013. I worked for 4 and a half years for an independent planning consultancy in Nottingham working on a range of residential, commercial and retail developments across the Midlands. In April 2017 I completed my APC with the RTPI to become a full member. In January 2018 I joined Boyer as a Senior Planner in their newly opened Midlands Office. In June 2018, I joined the Land & Development Team of Boyer s parent company The Leaders Romans Group. This new dual role between the two brands has allowed me to focus on larger scale strategic housing projects and is a key source of business development for the Group. The focus of my work is to identify and promote strategic land opportunities through the land acquisition/assembly and site promotion phases of the development process. Outside Interests: Outside of planning I am a keen golfer and play regularly at my home golf club of Radcliffe on Trent. Committee Involvement: David joined the Committee in September 2015. From the beginning, David wanted to focus on increasing attendance at our social and CPD events by offering a higher standard of event and through better marketing. This was secured largely through improving the quality of our events via obtaining sponsors and charging attendees for our events. We now have a full programme of social events that are sponsored and regularly sell out. David was also heavily involved in the Young Planners Conference last year in his role in securing sponsorship that was a sell-out. In July 2017 David was made Vice-Chair and in January 2019 he was promoted to Chair.
Ian Long Vice- Chair of the East Midlands Young Planners Planner, DLP Planning Background: Ian graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2016 with a MSc in Urban Planning. Prior to this, Ian obtained a BA (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Hull. Having gained work experience with Bournemouth Borough Council and Sheffield City Council Ian joined DLP Planning Ltd in September 2016 as a Planner in the Rugby office where he gained a wide range of experience working on projects of both small and large scale, often in a rural context. Following almost exactly a year in Rugby Ian moved to the Nottingham office of DLP to continue in the role of Planner with the shift in territory of work encompassing more urban schemes, along with applications and land promotions in rural settings. Ian has prepared, managed and submitted applications for several regional and national housebuilders. Ian is currently working through the APC process as a Licentiate member where he looks to gain chartered status in 2019. Interests within Planning: Although Ian has an extremely varied workload residential planning is of most interest, being particularly keen on large-scale developments. Further to this, Ian has an interest in the effect that shifting consumer habits has had upon the high street, and that role that planning has played in this. Interests outside Planning: Away from work Ian enjoys sports, usually involving being sat in a pub watching them being played. Ian enjoys exploring all that the region has to offer. Committee Involvement: Ian Joined the Committee in October 2017. He was involved in the organization of the highly successful Young Planners Conference in November 2018, having been primarily involved in conference venue management. Ian was promoted to the role of Vice-Chair in January 2019.
Chris Jesson Committee Member Associate Town Planner, Planning and Design Group (UK) Ltd, Nottingham Background: Chris graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2011 with an accredited BA (Hons) and MPlan in Urban Studies and Planning. Chris became a Chartered Member of the RTPI in December 2013 and prior to this had been a licentiate and student member during the course of his university studies and first two years of work experience. After graduating, Chris joined the Newark office planning team of RPS Planning & Development in October 2011, progressing through a steep learning curve of the planning system with complex nationwide projects for high profile clients. In January 2014, Chris was promoted to Planning Consultant. In April 2014, Chris joined planning and urban design consultancy Planning & Design Group (UK) Limited in Nottingham. Chris is primarily working on strategic land promotions and major residential sites for established clients including pension funds, landowners, landed estates. In January 2015 Chris was promoted to Senior Planner and won the RTPI East Midlands Young Planner of the Year Award the following month. He is supporting projects for the company s Nottingham and London offices as the consultancy continues to grow. Chris has most recently been promoted to Principal Planner as of January 2017 and Associate Planner as of January 2018. Roles within RTPI East Midlands and its Young Planners network: Chris has been a member of the EM Young Planners since 2010, and has been a member of the Sub Committee since June 2013. Most recently he has been Chair of the group between June 2015 and December 2018, presiding over the significant expansion of the group and its membership, the winning of a regional award in 2016 and the winning bid to host the 2018 RTPI Young Planners Conference in Nottingham. Chris opened the conference in November 2018. From January 2019 Chris is the Vice-Chair of the RTPI East Midlands Regional Management Board (RMB). Wider Interests: Chris is also a regular city break traveller to places within Europe, a car enthusiast in both Alfa Romeo and Classic Mini owners clubs. Chris also goes swimming, likes walks in the countryside (with a mandatory tea room) and visits stately homes often.
Caroline Richardson - Committee Member Senior Planner Aspbury Planning Background: Caroline is a Chartered Town Planner with over 10 years experience of the planning industry. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2008 following four years of study with an undergraduate Masters in Town and Country Planning. Caroline started her career in planning by taking an opportunity of work experience at Morgan Tucker, with the contact gained through contacting the East Midlands Young Planners Network. Work experience led to Caroline being employed in her first role as a Graduate Transport Planner within the Newark office. During her employment at Morgan Tucker Caroline undertook a secondment to Nottingham City Council where she provided project management support for the design process of the NET Phase 2 project, as well as providing support to the Highway Development Control team responding on behalf of the local highway authority to planning applications. In July 2013, having gained 4 years experience Caroline decided to progress her career by joining Waterman as a Transport Planner within the Nottingham office. In this role she gained a broad range of experience in producing documents and plans for a range of private and public sector clients. To broaden her experience Caroline joined DLP Planning Ltd as a Senior Planner in April 2016 and gained extensive and wide ranging experience in all forms of planning and development from small scale domestic projects to major strategic growth proposals, in both urban and rural areas. In December 2018 she joined Aspbury Planning as Senior Planner. Caroline s role at Aspbury Planning includes project management of a varied range of planning applications and appeals, submission of representations to local plan consultations, site appraisals and development management contract work. Interests away from planning: Outside of work, Caroline enjoys all things outdoors and is currently training for Tough Mudder! Roles within the East Midlands Young Planners: Caroline has enjoyed CPD and social events organised by the RTPI East Midlands Young Planners Network since beginning her career in planning in 2008. Caroline joined the Sub-Committee in January 2016 and since then has been providing input to the format and structure of our event programme, promoting the profession and built partnerships with fellow professionals including RICS Matrics, multidisciplinary engineering and architectural consultancies. Caroline was our lead conference venue management person on the committee for the Young Planners Conference 2018.
Jenny Keen - Committee Member Principal Planner Marrons Planning, Nottingham Background: Jenny is an RTPI accredited Town Planner in the private sector. Jenny graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2007 with an accredited BA (Hons) degree in Planning Studies and MA in Planning Studies in 2009. She qualified as a Chartered Town Planner in 2011. She started as a Planning Assistant at Freeths LLP in June 2007 whilst also studying for her MA part time and was promoted to Senior Planning Executive in August 2011. Jenny joined Marrons Planning as a Senior Planner in October 2016 and was promoted to Principal Planner in March 2017. Jenny has substantial experience in the residential, retail and commercial planning fields having acted on behalf of a number of retail and residential developers, providing strategic planning advice and managing the preparation, submission and monitoring of a variety of small and large scale planning applications and appeals. She primarily works on behalf of a number of national housebuilders, promoters and landowners, project managing large and complex schemes through the planning system and supporting sites through the Local Plan process. Interests outside of Planning: Outside of work, Jenny primarily enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading and physical activities such as swimming, gym and touch rugby. Committee Involvement: Jenny joined the Committee in October 2016. Her principal role is to assist in organising events and increasing attendance across the East Midlands region by introducing innovative and fresh ideas. Jenny has the lead role in organising the annual Spring and Christmas Socials and has also played an integral part in organising the Gala Dinner at the recent Young Planners Conference 2018. As a testament to her wider professional and voluntary efforts, Jenny also won the RTPI East Midlands Young Planner of the Year Award for 2016.
Melissa Balk - Committee Member Senior Planner Bidwells Background: Melissa graduated from the University of Sheffield in June 2015 with an accredited MA in Urban Studies and Planning. Melissa became a Chartered Member of the RTPI in September 2017. Whilst at University she volunteered for Westfield Big Local a Big Lottery funded, community regeneration initiative in Sheffield. Her role here contributed towards producing the community plan which has now been endorsed and is making a difference in the local area. She also assists the Women in Planning South Midlands Committee founded in early 2017 which aims to increase the profile of women working in planning across the Beds/Bucks/Northants area. Melissa joined Bidwells as a Planner in June 2015 and has since worked on a variety projects across the Northants, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire area with a main focus on residential schemes. She was promoted to the role of Senior Planner at the end of 2017. Committee Involvement: Melissa joined the Committee in October 2016 and represents the Northants and MK area of the East Midlands. Her role will assist in increasing the amount of young planners attending events across the region and will help organise events in the southern part of the region close to her place of work. Mel was part of the Speaker Liaison team for the 2018 Young Planners Conference held in Nottingham. Outside Interests: In her spare time Melissa enjoys reading, baking and spending time visiting historical places throughout the UK. She also enjoys gardening, although this is proving to be a bit of a learning curve!
Charlotte Lockwood - Committee Member Associate, Roythornes Background: Charlotte started her legal career in planning and development with a local authority in East Anglia gaining a broad range of experience of all planning matters including compulsory purchase, enforcement and regeneration projects. Since then she has developed her career working at local authorities in Lincolnshire and in the private sector at Gowling WLG (formerly Wragges) in Birmingham where she had the opportunity of advising on major energy, housing and retail schemes nationally. Charlotte recently returned to her home city of Nottingham, joining Roythornes Solicitors as an Associate within their planning team. She has experience of a broad spectrum of planning, development and highways matters, both contentious and non-contentious. She advises a range of clients including national housebuilders, local authorities and landowners and is experienced in the drafting and negotiation of Section 106, highway and infrastructure agreements. She works on applications, appeals and judicial reviews and has appeared at public inquiries for major housing, retail and renewable energy schemes. She also has a strong understanding of planning enforcement, compulsory purchase and compensation issues. Interests away from planning: Outside of work Charlotte enjoys travelling to new places to experience different cultures and see different cities, walking and all things outdoors. Roles within East Midlands Young Planners: Charlotte looks forward to assisting the committee in organising and participating in social and professional development events and growing the membership of the young planners group.
James Beverley - Committee Member Town Planner, Fisher German Background: James graduated Sheffield Hallam University in 2014, having completed his Masters in Planning qualification. He moved to Nottingham wherein he worked for a private planning consultancy for 15 months. Following this, he moved to a Leicestershire Local Planning Authority in September 2015. Beginning initially as a planning assistant working across the planning department. In 2016 however James was promoted to Planning Policy Officer, working solely in the Local Plans team. His role was to assist in developing the emerging Local Plan, including a particular focus on housing allocations and economic policies. This role cumulating in representing the Authority at the Local Plan EiP Hearing Sessions in early 2018. Beyond his role with the Local Plan, he was also lead officer for Neighbourhood Planning, supporting communities develop their Neighbourhood Plans and acting for the Council in Neighbourhood Plan examinations. Other, wider roles at the Council included digital transformation, encouraging community consultation and involvement in planning, developing the self/custom build register and progressing CIL in the Borough. James ran the Planning Policy website and Social Media, and was involved with the delivery of a number of multimedia campaigns, including the Councils first experiences with live video on Facebook. In May 2018, James moved to multi-disciplinary firm Fisher German, working within the strategic planning and development team. Within this role he works on strategic site promotion, land appraisals and supporting development surveyor colleagues. Interests away from planning: Outside of work James enjoys playing and watching football, including supporting his native Newcastle United and Gateshead Football Clubs. He also enjoys attending music festivals, holidays and socialising. Roles within East Midlands Young Planners: James Joined the Committee in January 2018. His role is to assist the more senior members of the Committee with their duties and promote the profession of town planning.
Evie Poxon Committee Member Planning Policy Officer, Erewash Borough Council Background: Evie graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2018 with a MPLAN in Urban and Environmental Planning (Urban Design Specialism). Having gained work experience with Barratt Homes both after finishing school at 16 and during her studies, Evie joined Nottinghamshire County Council in September 2017 where she worked predominantly on the production of the Minerals Local Plan, but also had involvement with Local Authorities working towards producing joint Education Statements for Local Plans. Following 8 months at Nottinghamshire, Evie took up her current post at Erewash Borough Council as a Planning Policy Officer. The workload is varied and fast paced, however projects such as the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment are long term and often take several months to complete. Alongside these long term projects, Evie provides Policy responses to planning applications and consultation responses to neighbouring Local Authorities on their Development Plan Documents. Over the next 12 months, the Erewash Core Strategy Review will ensure Evie and the Policy team are kept busy! Interests within Planning: Evie is particularly interested in projects which have an Urban Design element. She also has a strong interest in planning and health, working to ensure everyone has access to a healthy lifestyle. Interests outside Planning: Away from work Evie enjoys spending her weekends watching football, in particular Nottingham Forest and Belper Town! Evie also likes to spend her free time outdoors, especially walking in Derbyshire and cycling the Erewash Trail. Committee Involvement: Evie Joined the Committee in January 2019.
Rebecca Beardsley- Committee Member Town Planner, Planning & Design Practice Background: Rebecca graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Geography in 2014. She then went onto study her MSc in Urban Planning part-time and graduated in 2018. Whilst studying for her MSc, Rebecca joined DLP Sheffield in 2016 as a Student Planner, where she worked as part of the Strategic Planning Research Unit and gained invaluable planning policy experience. In 2017 she moved to Planning & Design Practice in Derby, where she started as a Graduate Planner. Rebecca quickly gained responsibility and experience by both working on and managing a wide range projects varying from smaller rural planning applications to larger residential and commercial projects. She enjoys the variation of the work in the planning sector as it is always interesting. She was promoted to a Planner in 2018. Rebecca is currently trying to gain as much experience as possible on a range of different projects whilst working towards becoming a Chartered town planner and she hopes to qualify early in 2020. Interests away from planning: Outside of work Rebecca enjoys running. She completed her first marathon in 2018 and raised over 2k for charity in the process. She also likes to explore new places and reads whenever she has the time. Committee involvement: Rebecca joined the Committee in January 2019.