Steering group

Emma is a Chartered Senior Planner at Lichfields, having joined in 2019 following the completion of her studies at St Andrews University and the University of Glasgow where she obtained a Master’s degree in City Planning and Real Estate Development. Emma’s primary focus is in the residential sector, but her experience covers a wide variety of projects including leisure, regeneration, and commercial. Emma is currently the Chair of the RTPI North East Young Planner’s Committee and a member of the RTPI NE Regional Activities and Policies Committee

Patrick Johnston has been a member of the Young Planners Committee since February 2019, where he also helped with the Young Planner’s conference.  Patrick previously worked for Newcastle City Council before moving to Persimmon PLC in August 2019. Through the pandemic years Patrick completed his APC and has been able to share some of this knowledge in NE APC webinars. He has also been involved in student events. In 2022 Patrick became Vice Chair, before becoming the NE YP Chair in January 2023.  His time as chair Patrick focused on student engagement in the Young Planners steering group to help secure the long-term sustainability and succession of the committee post-pandemic. 

Anuja has been a Planning Technician at Northumberland County Council since 2023. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Newcastle University, following a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Mumbai University, and is a licensed Architect in India. In her role within the Development Management team, Anuja focuses on a range of applications, including Householder applications, Listed Building Consents, Lawful Development Certificates, and Pre-application inquiries.

Anuja joined the committee in July 2023 and is actively working towards her MRTPI accreditation.

Oliver is a licentiate member of the RTPI and a Planning and Development Assistant at YoungsRPS. Oliver joined the YoungsRPS Newcastle office in September 2021 following the completion of his MSc in Urban Planning at Newcastle University; prior to this, Oliver was studying Geography at the University of Portsmouth. Time spent studying the complexities of climate change, sustainable development and urban regeneration during his undergraduate degree nurtured an understanding of these topics and established an interest towards their betterment; and hence, Oliver found himself within the realm of planning. As a southerner, Oliver has grown fond of the north - its people have made for a warm welcome.

John has been a member of the North East Young Planners Committee since January 2023, and a member of the Young Planners community since beginning his studies at Newcastle University in 2012. John worked for planning consultancy Lichfields for 5 years until he moved across to a Strategic Land Buyer position at Barratt David Wilson Homes North East in August 2022. John achieved MRTPI accreditation at the first time of asking in 2019 and has been involved in a variety of projects throughout the North East; predominantly within the residential development, land acquisition and rural tourism sectors.

Joe joined DPP as an Assistant Planner in August 2022, and has enjoyed working across a range of sectors including residential, health and education. He recently joined the committee in January 2023. Having completed his integrated planning masters at the University of Sheffield in June 2021, Joe stayed in the city and worked for a small planning consultancy, before moving home back up north last year. Joe is currently working towards MRTPI accreditation and is looking forward to being an active member of the steering group in the region.

Mollie is currently undertaking her year-out placement at Hedley Planning Services, as part of her Master of Planning (MPlan) degree at Newcastle University. She has been a Student Member of the RTPI since 2020, and recently joined the North East Young Planners Committee in June 2023. During her time at HPS so far, Mollie has been gaining experience on a wide range of projects, including wind turbines and residential developments, as well as different types of applications, such as Full, Reserved Matters and Certificates of Lawfulness. Mollie will be returning to university in September 2024 to specialise in Regeneration, and following graduation, she hopes to start working towards her APC and becoming a Chartered Planner.

Daniel is currently a Master of Planning student at Newcastle University, undertaking his Certificate in Planning Practice year out placement in the spatial planning and environment team at Gateshead Council. His experience so far has helped him develop a solid understanding of the planning system and provided him with insight into the development of local planning policy and how it is utilised to shape the built environment. Daniel has been a student member of the RTPI since 2020 when he first started his degree and hope to continue his membership and involvement at a postgraduate level.

Lucy is a Planner at Lichfields UK, having joined in 2023. She graduated from Newcastle University with a MSc in Urban Planning (Conservation Pathway) in 2023 and from Durham University with a Geography (BA) degree in 2022. Lucy has a range of experience with a particular focus, and interest in, the built historic environment and retail and town centre schemes. Lucy is a member of the RTPI North East Young Planners Committee. She is currently working towards achieving MRTPI accreditation.

Abjol is a Consultant Planner at Hedley Planning Services. He is working towards becoming a chartered member of the RTPI, having gained experience working in the public sector as a Planner. Abjol holds a BA in Urban Planning and an MA in Environmental Planning Research, specialising in digital consultation tools. He has a competent approach to managing difficult planning solutions,  and continues his keen involvement in Digital Planning.

Liam has been a Planning Officer at North Yorkshire Council since July 2024, prior to this he was a Planning Officer within Gateshead Council, having been promoted from Student Planner in October 2023. He holds a masters degree in urban planning with green infrastructure. In his current role within the development management team, Liam works on a number of applications ranging from Householder and Listed Building Applications through to more complex majors including Residential Developments and Agricultural Developments involving Habitat Regulation Assessments and Environmental Impact Screening Assessments.

Liam joined the committee in 2023 and is currently working towards MRTPI Accreditation and is aiming to submit his APC in 2025.