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Photo of AlisonAlison Blom-Cooper MRTPI

Chartered Member on General Assembly

Please state briefly why you wish to apply for this position.

At a time of considerable pressure and adverse publicity about planning, it is important that there is a strong voice to counter this.   With considerable experience in the public sector, I see membership of the General Assembly as an important forum to advocate the development of planning policy and practice seen through the public sector lenses.  I believe in the delivery of sustainable growth –  Providing a high quality built and natural environment makes a significant positive impact on health, wellbeing and life chances and there is a real opportunity for the RTPI to support and disseminate research to facilitate this.

It is important to encourage new recruits into the profession.  We need to continue to develop apprenticeships, bursaries and links with organisations such as public practice to ensure we advance the art and science of planning for the benefit of the public. 

Please detail the skills and experience you have that would make you a strong candidate for this position.

I have over 30 years’ experience as a Chartered Town Planner working in the public sector (local authorities, local government ombudsman and Planning Inspector) and would bring this experience to the role.  In particular:

  • RTPI representative and Vice Chair of a Charity: the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust since 2016
  • Experience of serving on voluntary bodies and tribunals - Chair of Community Land
    and Workspace Services for 8 years – a charitable organisation providing a technical aid service to community groups in London and Assistant Commissioner for the 2022 boundary review in the East Midlands
  • Extensive experience in performance improvement of planning services including resources and budgeting, development management,  plan making and delivery of projects having worked for a number of local authorities
  • Research, analytical, report writing and evaluation skills - undertaken numerous research projects for DCLG and the Welsh Government.