News & Views

You've probably seen online that November has been ITP's Development Planning Month. The team have been discussing a number of topics relating to...

• The processes behind creating forward-thinking developments
• Whether green number plates can help increase the uptake of electric vehicles
• How transport fits into the National Design Guide
• A typical week in the Development Planning team
• The decline of our high streets and what needs to change to recover them

So let's jump straight to it and find out a bit more about the people that make up the team!

What is your experience within the Development Planning sector?

Mark: I studied Civil Engineering at university so it is nice to get that overlap between transport planning and infrastructure design as part of my job. Most of my transport planning experience has been in the Development Planning sector which includes everything from single dwellings to university campus regeneration. 

Noel: I predominantly work for private sector clients, helping them to deliver commercially viable transport schemes at new developments to meet planning standards. A lot of my experience is in residential developments, although I've worked on some peculiar projects in my time, including assessing cavalry routes through the centre of London and constructing overhead power lines across the highlands of Scotland!

Lewis: I provide transport input into transport schemes from inception through to delivery on both large- and small-scale projects. I've also worked for a Local Highway Authority, critiquing proposals from a transport perspective, ensuring that only well-planned development comes forward. 

What does a typical day in the office involve for you?

Kwabena: Anything from preliminary to detailed design of proposed access, swept path analysis, outline drainage strategies and traffic impact studies.

Catherine: A a Senior Consultant, I have one of the more varied roles as I am taking on more and more Project Management responsibilities whilst still undertaking a lot of project-related work. A typical day ranges from modelling work, excel spreadsheet analysis, report writing, or meetings with clients and local authorities. 

Harfan: My involvement varies from providing training in AutoCAD to technical advice related to geometric design of ‘Give way’ junctions to members of our team.

What do you enjoy most about working in Development Planning?

Dan: It's real and it happens, new homes, new jobs – the bigger the challenge, the better.

Mark: No two days are the same and you get a real sense in how you are contributing to the wider projects, working directly with architects, town planners, ecologists and so on. It takes a few years, but a fair proportion of the projects I work on also get built and it’s nice to stumble upon places when I am out and about.

Noel: It's a pretty fast-paced environment where workloads can change day to day. We are a tight-knit team who help each other meet shifting demands and deadlines. It might sound like a cliché but no two projects are the same so there’s always a lesson to be learnt. 

Which project are you most proud to have worked on?

Catherine: A project I am currently working on at the Lakes Estate in Bletchley which will be carbon neutral and one of the first developments outside of London to have one electric vehicle parking space per dwelling. It’s a complicated project looking to redevelop a currently very run-down low-income estate. When it’s built out it’s going to be really special and bring a lot of value to the area. 

Harfan: It would have to be Cebu International Airport because it's my first piece of work that demonstrated that an “attention to detail” concept proposal can communicate confidence for it being built in the future.

Mark: For me the best projects are the ones for smaller clients as I feel like I can make a real difference. The more limited budget and timescales means you really have to focus on the key points and run the project efficiently, and with a smaller range of consultants you can build excellent relationships.

Lewis: I am proud to have worked on a scheme in Northampton, where ITP was commissioned to produce a Transport Assessment and concept highway and junction design for a new access road into a potential mixed-use employment site. The uses on the site were to come forward subject to separate applications, with the new access road being the stimulus for the proposed developments.

Noel: Since joining ITP I've started to manage my own projects which I’ve certainly become attached too. I am currently working on a car-free residential development which is quite exciting and should have a positive legacy.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Catherine: I'm part of a local netball team and play in the Birmingham League, so training, matches, and team socials take up a lot of my spare time. It’s really rewarding and is a great way for me to get to know people that share similar interests. I love going to music festivals in the summer, and have family that live abroad so spend a lot of time flying all over to visit them.

Kwabena: I volunteer my expertise for a Christian charity every week, which I really enjoy.

Dan: Running, skiing, and of course trying to control three kids!

Mark: I’m a bit of a DIY enthusiast and have been working my way through each room of my house. I also cycle and am preparing to do a night ride in Liverpool next summer and perhaps a 200-mile ride from coast-to-coast shortly after.

Which 3 words would your friends use to describe you?

Dan: It’s probably not printable.

Lewis: Thoughtful, respected, erudite. 

Noel: You’d have to ask them but I’d hope to see generous and caring in there.

Catherine: Confident, sarcastic, and motivated.

Kwabena: Calm, helpful and composed.

Harfan: Honest, dependable, and optimistic.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Kwabena: I play the keyboard, the bass guitar and I enjoy singing - not to X-Factor level though!

Mark: It’s not really hidden but I do have a flare for flat-pack furniture and a large collection of Allen keys as evidence.

Catherine: I can sew and often make outfits for my friends and myself to wear to music festivals.

And that brings Development Planning Month to an end! We hope you've enjoyed hearing our thoughts and views on different topics, and getting to know the team along the way. 

If you like the sound of what we do, we're currently looking for people to join our Development Planning team, as well as other teams at ITP, so click here to find out more about the roles and how you can apply.