Dorset Young Planners

Amelia (Millie) is an enthusiastic member of the Dorset Young Planners Group with five years of experience in planning, falling into planning (as seems pretty common!) after finishing studying Physical Geography at Reading Uni. She has spent most of her planning life in local government, in DM and Policy, with a year in the private sector where she worked on urban design schemes and neighbourhood plans. She currently does contract and freelance work, with an aim of potentially establishing her own practice.

She has been an active member of the Dorset Young Planners Group for almost five years since the start of her career, and has watched many members come and go before becoming Chair herself in 2023. She has made many connections and amazing friendships through the group which she is so grateful for.

In her spare time, she enjoys anything active, socialising with friends and travelling, having visited 18 countries in 2022. She is looking forward to her next adventure and last trip of 2023 to Latvia, Estonia and Finland!

Millie is always keen to interact with fellow young planners who may be interested in getting involved on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-rose-5b076a13b

I graduated from Cardiff University in 2023, obtaining a BSc Human Geography and Planning degree, whilst working at Chapman Lily Planning in my university holidays. I have keen interests in sustainable regeneration, urban design, and designing out crime which I have been able to explore in various parts of my undergraduate degree. Dorset Young Planners offers me the opportunity to encourage others into the world of planning, whilst expanding my own network and knowledge. I am looking forward to encouraging new members into the group and working with the team to organise events!

I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2023 and am looking to commence a Masters Degree in Urban Planning in September 2024. I am employed as an Assistant Planner at Chapman Lily. I have a keen interest in sustainability and climate change and have been able to explore these areas during my degree. Dorset Young Planners has given me the opportunity to network with other young planners and further my planning career. I look forward to organising various events and encourage more people into planning.

I graduated from the University of Sheffield in the summer of 2024, having completed an Integrated Masters Degree in Urban Studies and Planning. I've since moved down to Dorset to join Savills' Central South Planning Team as a Graduate Planner in their Wimborne office. In time, I hope to develop my understanding of the planning industry, discover where my interests lie, and become a chartered member of the RTPI. I'm looking forward to becoming an active member of the Dorset Young Planners, both to get to know people in my industry and develop further both personally and professionally.

Biography to follow

Jonathan is a recent addition to both the Dorset Young Planners steering group and the local planning community. Having just relocated to the area, Jonathan has joined Chapman Lily Planning, bringing with him a wealth of experience from various regions. He holds a Master's in Town & Regional Planning from the University of Sheffield, Dual Bachelors from the University of South Florida, and has worked on projects across England, Scotland, and Wales throughout his career.

As a newcomer to Dorset, Jonathan is looking forward to exploring the local planning landscape and making connections through the Young Planners Group. He's always eager to discuss innovative planning approaches and is excited to bring his diverse background to the Dorset planning community.

I work for Savills as a Planner in the Central South Planning team (based in Wimborne). I grew up in Kent and now live in Dorset where I moved after graduation in 2021. I came into planning from a Geography undergraduate degree at Durham and I am particularly interested in environmental issues and climate change. In 2023 I finished from a two-year town planning degree apprenticeship (completed alongside my working role) and wrote my dissertation on biodiversity net gain. In 2024 I became a chartered member of the RTPI and also co-chaired the Dorset Young Planners committee in 2024.

Phillippa is the incoming co-chair of Dorset Young Planners with fellow steering group member Lucy. Following the graduation of her Masters in Spatial Planning and Development, Phillippa now works full time for a private planning consultancy within Dorset as a Senior Planner, working on a range of development projects from renewable energy, engineered wetlands, to housing and commercial development. Phillippa is passionate about how people interact with the natural environment and has a keen interest in rural planning.

Phillippa has been an active member of Dorset Young Planners for over two years and has loved meeting other enthusiastic planners. She states ‘it has been brilliant working with the steering group, it is a unique opportunity to connect with other local planners with a range of different experience and specialisms that are also passionate about their environment’.

Phillippa is looking forward to another planning packed year of 2024, while also taking the time to explore the world. If you are interested in getting involved with the Dorset Young Planners, have a great idea for a new event or would like to discuss the opportunity of sponsoring an event do not hesitate to get in contact. https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillippa-gatehouse-80901a199

Biography to follow

I am a Planning Associate at Stantec (previously Barton Willmore) and have been in the planning industry for almost 8 years. I graduated from Cardiff University in 2017, obtaining a BSc in Human Geography, before completing a masters in Spatial Planning at UCL in 2019. Although I am based in Stantec’s London office, I moved back to down to Dorset at the end of 2021 after spending 6 years in London. I am lucky enough to work on a huge range of projects from major urban regeneration schemes to greenfield developments, with a focus on mixed-use and residential schemes – a sector that I am particularly interested in! I joined the Dorset Young Planners committee at the end of 2022 and have enjoyed organising social events and making connections with planners in the local area.

I am fairly new to the planning world, securing my first role in 2022 upon graduating from Cardiff university. After I graduated from my undergraduate course, I began a master’s at UWE Bristol in Planning and Urban Leadership which I have recently completed. I work as an assistant planner at Chapman Lily Planning, based in Wareham, and I am beginning to work towards chartership. Being involved with the Dorset Young Planner’s has been a great way to network with others to build relationships and knowledge which help me in my career. I am looking forward to organising events and bringing like-minded individuals together!