Young Planner of the Year

Nicola is an enthusiastic and motivated planning professional who has excelled during her time with DPP, being promoted three times since she joined as an Assistant Planner in 2015. Nicola has been involved in a number of regionally significant schemes across the North East which will benefit the community and enable economic growth. Nicola consistently strives to achieve positive results for clients and as well as a being a competent and encouraging mentor to junior colleagues, assisting with their professional development. Nicola is also actively involved in the RTPI Regional Activities Committee and Young Planner’s committee.

Alannah is a proactive, meticulous and enthusiastic planner with experience in supporting a wide range of projects across the UK. In recent years, Alannah has taken the lead in obtaining planning consents for the regionally important ‘Northumberland Line’ scheme which includes the re-introduction of passenger services from Newcastle to Ashington, and the construction of six new railway stations. She is devoted to achieving the most equitable outcomes and to leave the planet in a better place. Alannah is committed to ensuring multi-disciplinary collaboration and cultivating a wider understanding of how planning sits within the wider industry.

Lee joined DPP in 2018 after completing a Masters in Town Planning at Newcastle University and has made significant progress since this time, demonstrable by his promotions from Assistant to Senior Planner within 3 years, as well as his increasing confidence and involvement on projects. Lee is also a Chartered Member of the RTPI.
During his time at DPP, Lee has represented a diverse portfolio of clients across a range of development sectors including residential, leisure and culture, commercial, and education. Lee has significant experience in preparing technical planning reports and managing large planning applications from inception to decision.

Alastair works at Defra where he is passionately involved with setting policy for marine planning’s formative years. He worked in planning previously at Natural England and the Environment Agency. In all roles he has used his knowledge and experience to champion the environment at a project and plan level. A healthy approach to work and a focus on developing others are important to him. He was Vice Chair of the Young Planners’ Committee for nearly 3 years, including for the 2019 conference and remains active with the committee. He also spent two years on the Regional Activities and Policy Committee.

Judges commented

Alastair has developed his planning expertise and understanding of planning particularly in the environment and infrastructure sectors through a unique route of stakeholder roles and central government agency and now departmental role, bringing his planning insight and knowledge to the widest audience and influence, whilst giving back and engaging in the region, young planners and other initiatives to share and inspire others in delivering good planning outcomes.

Alistair is passionately involved with Marine Planning and champions the environment and seeks to make a real difference in influencing planning changes particularly in the marine environment nationally.  The judges believe that Alastair will successfully use this award recognition to further highlight marine and environmental planning and to continue to develop his own and other careers in this vital public sector planning role.