This event forms part of RTPI Online series - 'Ask the Expert' brought to you by RTPI East of England the North East.
Join us on 12 June to hear from two Planning Inspectors, Ian Dyer and Joanna Gilbert.
Ian and Joanna will talk about what a Planning Inspector does and what opportunities exist within The Planning Inspectorate, as well as what their average weeks look like and how they work. There will be some discussion of different areas of work, such as Local Plans and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. They’ll address how the Planning Inspectorate seeks to ensure consistency in decision-making while adhering to the Franks principles of openness, fairness and impartiality. They’ll also talk about what participants in appeals and other types of casework can do to assist the process.
This session will be chaired by Patrick Johnston, Regional Chair NE and Sophia Nitschke and RTPI East of England Young Planner Committee member.
The link to the webinar will be sent out a two days before the event.
View our all North East events here.
If you experience any problems when booking, please contact Kim Walker Regional Coordinator for assistance.
Learn more about our speakers
Ian Dyer
Planning Inspector
Ian Dyer
Planning Inspector
Ian is a Planning Inspectors working for The Planning Inspectorate. Ian worked in local government prior to joining the Inspectorate and has has a background in highways and transport.
Since joining the Inspectorate in 2018, Ian has worked mainly on Section 78 appeals casework but has also been part of a Panel for a National Infrastructure Project, the A57 Link Roads. He has undertaken work on written representation appeals, hearings and inquiries. He is currently working towards gaining a specialism in Heritage casework.
Joanna Gilbert
Planning Inspector
Joanna Gilbert
Planning Inspector
Joanna is a Planning Inspector working for The Planning Inspectorate. Joanna worked in local government prior to joining the Inspectorate and her background is in development management and planning policy.
Joanna joined the Inspectorate in 2017. During her time at the Inspectorate, she has carried out a wide range of appeal casework, by written representations, hearings and inquiries. Joanna specialises in Gypsy and Traveller casework and has also completed Compulsory Purchase Order casework. She is presently working as part of a panel examining a Local Plan. She has also been involved in training new Inspectors and in delivering wider training on appeals casework and Local Plans.
Patrick Johnston
Young Planners - NE Chair
Patrick Johnston
Young Planners - NE Chair
Patrick Johnston has been a member of the Young Planners Committee since February 2019, where he also helped with the Young Planner’s conference. Patrick previously worked for Newcastle City Council before moving to Persimmon PLC in August 2019. Through the pandemic years Patrick completed his APC and has been able to share some of this knowledge in NE APC webinars. He has also been involved in student events. In 2022 Patrick became Vice Chair, before becoming the NE YP Chair in January 2023. This year Patrick will focus on student engagement in the Young Planners steering group to help secure the long-term sustainability and succession of the committee post-pandemic.
Sophia Nitschke
Bidwells
Sophia Nitschke
Bidwells
Sophia is an Assistant Planner based in the Bidwells Cambridge office, having joined in September 2022. She is now working towards her chartered membership status with the RTPI whilst working on a variety of commercial and residential planning schemes within Cambridge.
She gained a BSc in Geography from the University of East Anglia in 2021, followed by an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Birmingham in 2022. Sophia grew up in Cambridge and America and, outside of work, is an avid traveller, having recently been to Thailand, Stockholm, and Marseille
