Taking stock - the impact of national planning reform on local delivery

Joe Smith is an Associate in the Planning team at Savills Newcastle and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Joe brings a wealth of experience in delivering planning advice and managing complex development schemes across the North East and beyond.

Joe plays a key role in residential development across the region and is involved in all stages of the planning process, from site identification and appraisal stage, pre-application through to planning application and delivery.

Joe works closely with key stakeholders including  landowners, developers, housebuilders, Local Planning Authorities and communities to unlock suitable and sustainable development potential. His work is instrumental in shaping sustainable growth, identifying strategic land opportunities, and navigating complex planning challenges.

With a collaborative and pragmatic approach and a keen eye for detail, Joe contributes to the success of both urban regeneration projects and greenfield developments, while aligning with broader socio- economic and environmental objectives.

Prior to joining Savills, Joe started off in consultancy before joining Bellway Homes, where he gained valuable insight working developer side within the housebuilding industry, working on a range of residential schemes from site acquisition through to delivery.

Chris Martin is the Regional Planning Manager for the North of England at the Home Builders Federation. A chartered town planner with 20 years of experience, Chris has specific expertise in the promotion of new housing developments across the North East of England and has a detailed understanding of both the development management and plan-making processes.

In his role, Chris works alongside housebuilders, local planning authorities and other bodies to help ensure the delivery of high-quality homes that meet the needs of the community. His role focuses on helping to shape development plans in the region, advocating for industry priorities, and driving collaboration to address housing challenges.

Louise Sloan is Assistant Director of Place at the North East Combined Authority, where she leads strategic work on place, planning and regeneration at a regional scale. In this role, she plays a key part in shaping spatial strategy and helping to deliver some of the North East’s most significant infrastructure and regeneration programmes. At the Combined Authority, Louise is taking a leading role in strategic planning for placemaking across the region, including supporting major infrastructure development and the delivery of the regions three Mayoral Development Zones, aimed at accelerating regeneration.

Louise is also an Assistant Director at Newcastle City Council, where she has led on strategic planning and placemaking for the city. Her work has included driving forward major regeneration initiatives such as Forth Yards, and the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Newcastle City Centre.

Louise has extensive experience across the North East, having held senior strategic planning roles in a number of local authorities prior to her current positions. This has included leadership roles at Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council.  Through these roles, she has developed a strong, region wide understanding of planning policy, delivery, and the infrastructure challenges and opportunities facing the North East.

 Laura is a Director in Roger Hannah’s development team providing consultancy, agency and CPO services. She specialises in consultancy including viability in planning and has a range of experience including local plan representations, application stage viability assessments, viability assessment reviews for councils, and expert witness at planning appeal. Laura works with a range of landowners, housebuilders, investors, RPs, and public sector bodies. 

Nicola Insley is Partner in our Planning Team. 

She has more than a decade of experience of advising on all aspects of planning law including strategic advice on nationally significant infrastructure projects, regeneration projects, judicial review, appeals and public inquiries, transactional due diligence, planning and highways agreements. Having previously worked as an academic, Nicola writes legal opinion pieces and specialises in providing complex and technical legal advice. 

Nicola’s clients include the major UK and International development and property and investment companies, government agencies/departments, sovereign wealth, energy providers, retailers, house builders, warehouse clubs, infrastructure companies and student accommodation providers.

Richard is a Senior Planning Manager at Keepmoat Homes, a top 10 UK house builder, working in the North East region.  He has approaching 25 years planning experience gained in private sector consultancy and with residential developers.  Richard’s role at Keepmoat Homes focuses primarily on pre-development planning strategy and delivery.  He is responsible for coordinating planning applications for residential proposals, including for 100% affordable housing schemes, and liaises with consultants, stakeholders and Local Authorities throughout the planning process.

Richard has previously chaired and presented at a number of CPD events for the RTPI in the North East including in relation to housing, transport and infrastructure.  He was also Chair of the RTPI in the North East in 2015 and was part of the Regional Management Board for 4 years.

Emily is a chartered planner leading on the government’s planning reforms relating to housing supply, diverse housing, brownfield, and Green Belt. Prior to working in MHCLG, Emily worked in large sites and delivery at Homes England, and across a range of local plan support at a planning consultancy. 

Daniel is an associate within the Savills Residential Research team, with a focus on residential development, public policy, and affordable and employment-linked housing. 

Working for a range of clients and alongside other Savills teams, Daniel provides consultancy reports across the residential market and research papers for publication.

In addition, Daniel contributes to Research’s presentations and has particular expertise on planning and policy, providing analysis and thought leadership around these issues.

Daniel joined Savills in June 2022 as an analyst in the Residential Research team, having completed degrees at Warwick University and Christ’s College, University of Cambridge. He became an associate in 2024.

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon