I will positively promote the planning profession and the opportunities it has to offer in a number of ways, including my professional role and through my involvement with the RTPI London and the Young Planners. I have established an innovative programme, which builds relationships with universities and students, to promote the varied opportunities presented by a career in planning and enhance access to them. This has been informed by experience of APC mentoring and assessing and involvement in graduate recruitment and training, which I look to build on in the future. I will also continue to work to increase the public accessibility and understanding of the planning system

Citation

Julia is a driving force within RTPI London and a well respected professional planner. She is actively involved in the London Young Planners Network and is playing a lead role in transforming how the RTPI London region operates and in raising the profile of planning across the capital.

Julia has successfully built relationships between the RTPI and London Universities. She has established and coordinated an annual programme which informs students about careers in planning and routes into the profession, drawing upon her experience as an RTPI Mentor and Assessor. Julia actively participates in these well received events and encourages active involvement from RTPI London. She will supplement this programme with workshops aimed at giving students experience and confidence in interview and application techniques for planning roles. This timely and popular programme and the resulting closer relationships with Universities will continue to be an asset to RTPI London.

Julia is a strong role model and a well deserved winner of the Young Planner of the Year Award. She typifies a movement of young, dedicated planning professionals who are committed to promoting planning as a profession. She will no doubt be an important figure amongst planners in years to come

Tom Venables (Chair, RTPI London)

Experience and achievements

BSc (Hons) Town and Country Planning - University College London
Diploma Town and Country Planning - University College London

Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) January 2006

Career

• Assistant Consultant, September 2003
• Consultant, July 2005 - July 2006
• Senior Consultant, July 2006 - July 2010
• Associate Director, July 2010 – present

Julia has worked for DTZ since 2003 and in doing so has had experience of working in an international multi-disciplinary real estate business, gaining an understanding of the importance and value that planning brings. During this time, Julia has had experience in a variety of planning work on a range of projects, including educational, commercial, leisure, residential and retail schemes in London and the South East. Julia works for both private and public sector clients, including Pinewood Studios and The Church Commissioners for England.

Julia provides planning advice to clients to protect and enhance the value of their assets. This has included experience in policy evaluation and site appraisal, preparation, submission and negotiation of planning applications, including coordination and input into Environmental Impact Assessment, negotiation with local authorities and statutory consultees. In doing so, Julia regularly manages multi-disciplinary project teams, providing a coordinated approach to challenging planning issues.

Julia has also had involvement in the pursuit of sites through the development plan system (including appearance at Examination in Public) to increase and secure their development potential and has experience of planning appeals, including significant Public Inquiries.

Other Roles and Interests

Julia is enthusiastic about planning, what it can achieve and the opportunities it offers. This is demonstrated not only through her professional role, but through a range of extracurricular roles, which include the following:

• Senior Vice Chair RTPI London Region (2011)– Nominated into this role in December 2010, and active in organising and attending the programme of London Region events.
• Member of RTPI London Young Planners Steering Group(2009 – current) –Organisation and participation in activities, specifically setting up and establishing a programme of university events promoting careers in planning and attending careers fairs.
• RTPI GA member (2010 – 12) – Nominated in December 2010 for a two year post, important in shaping the RTPI and promotion of the planning profession.
• RTPI APC Mentor and Assessor (2009 - current) – Regular assessor of APC submissions and mentor to a number of successful candidates through the APC process.
• Grand Designs Live Expert Advice Panel member (planning) (2009 – current) – Provision of one to one planning advice at the London and Birmingham shows to assist people in understanding and navigating the planning process in order to successfully achieve their ‘Grand Design’.
• Grand Designs Live Seminar speaker(2011) – Speaker on current planning issues affecting budding ‘Grand Designers’. 
• Ecobuild Seminar Speaker(2011) – Speaker on current planning issues, including the impact of Localism on self build.
• Kingston University Employers Forum member (2009 – current) – Participant on the forum group established to build relationships and share experience between education establishments and the built environment profession. 

Julia is also a keen runner and enjoys travelling.

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• Young Planner of the Year 2011 - home

Author:

Kate Webster

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

01-Dec-11

Categories:

 

Sections:

Event

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