Neurodiversity in Planning 101

Annie is a Director at Turley and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity in planning, championing inclusive approaches to planning policy, decision-making, and workplace environments across the sector.
With over a decade of experience in the industry, Annie brings a unique perspective to the intersection of planning policy, and neurodiversity. Her expertise lies in affordable and specialist housing, with a strong focus on creating planning policies and decisions that provide for a diverse range of societal needs.
By applying her extensive knowledge in delivering affordable and specialist housing, Annie brings a practical understanding of how planning frameworks can address the needs of different groups as required by the NPPF. Her work with developers, housing associations, and local authorities demonstrates how neurodiverse thinking can enhance policy development and improve outcomes in complex planning challenges.
Annie is committed to driving greater awareness and understanding of neurodiversity within the planning profession, promoting environments where all voices are heard and valued.

Leanne Buckley-Thomson is a sought after planning and housing law specialist barrister at No5 Chambers recognised as a Leading Junior by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.  She represents clients at all stages of the planning process, both in relation to applications for planning permission and in matters related to enforcement.  She is a qualified trainer, regularly delivering seminars and training, and acts both as a mentor and pupil supervisor.  Leanne was named as a Woman of Influence by The Planner in 2025, it being noted how she “regularly talks about the merits of being neurodivergent and what that means for her/her career and goes out of her way to support others in better understanding what that means for work.  She has positively impacted the planning community through her insights and celebrates the fact that she has forged a successful career whilst being the main breadwinner, parenting two very young children and conducting work in inquiries”.  

Mollie is a Senior Planner at Stanfords – RTPI East of England Small Planning Consultancy of the Year 2026. She champions neurodiversity in the workplace and encourages its recognition in planning policy and decision-making. Her expertise lies in rural communities and the complexities of development beyond settlement boundaries in maintaining a prosperous rural economy on the day to day, as well as a diverse range of consultation in the residential, commercial, tourism and leisure, sports and recreation and agricultural sectors. Mollie has experience navigating complex site constraints, enforcement cases and matters involving marginalised communities. She continues to centre diversity and inclusion in her planning practice and hopes to continue her work to remove barriers for participation in the planning sector for all by not treating one neurological experience as the default.