Paul is Head of Planning Delivery in our Town Planning team. He leads on major, complex planning applications, and uses his public sector experience to advise clients on planning strategies for a wide range of development proposals across numerous sectors.
As a chartered town planner, he is driven by a desire to deliver high-quality, sustainable buildings and places that benefit the environment and end users.
Paul also oversees the Planning team’s national framework with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), providing strategic advice to assist in land valuations, understanding and collaborating with the requirements of Local Planning Authorities, and recommending planning solutions that positively meet the clients’ needs.
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on to date?
Bristol Beacon. I really enjoy live music and being the lead planner to bring about transformational change to such an iconic performance venue for Bristol and the wider region was very motivational. There was a real sense of being part of a special project that was much larger than the development scheme itself; it will help reinforce Bristol as a culturally diverse music city. The refurbishment proposals were not without issue, but we worked collaboratively to overcome the complex heritage and related matters and secured full planning and listed building consent.
What are the key challenges that affect your sector, or are likely to in the next five years?
Climate change and ecological emergencies are certainly a challenge. It flows through every aspect of the planning profession. How can we better plan for and design places and buildings that are resilient to climate change and ecological emergencies, whilst at the same time delivering growth?
High quality housing (and affordable homes) that meets the needs of individuals and families is also vital, as well as ensuring that our planning system is flexible enough to deliver prosperity for our towns and cities. We need them to adapt to meet changing lifestyles and patterns of behaviour, but still deliver the services and facilities we need and desire. A final key challenge is the current resourcing shortfall within Local Planning Authorities that is impacting upon investment, deliverability, and confidence in the development industry.
Pet hate?
Professionally, it is the view that a planner’s role is simply filling in forms and following a legislative process. On a more personal level, it has probably got to be untidiness – although sometimes I accept that a bit of disorder can be a healthy thing!
Best building in your city?
Not sure if it counts as a ‘building’, but you just cannot beat the Clifton Suspension Bridge for an awe-inspiring view.
What’s the greatest invention ever?
It must be the bicycle – but then I would say this as keen cyclist!
Qualifications
- Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) with experience of working within public and private sectors.
- BA(Hons) BTP MRTPI
Project Awards:
- Winner: Eagle House – Best Refurbished Workplace (BCO South west and Wales, 2020)
- Shortlisted: Bristol Beacon – Best use of heritage in placemaking (Planning Awards, 2019)
- Shortlisted: Whitehouse Street Regeneration Framework – Masterplanning for the Future (Michelmores Property Awards, 2023)
