As 2022 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a busy year here at RJP, with lots of key moments to remember! Just a few of these are:
- One commendation from the RTPI NW for our ‘technical excellence’ and ‘problem solving’
- Two new assistant planners – welcome Blake Woodford and Becca Gray
- Three very well deserved promotions – well done Tess Cook, Tillie Baker and Callum Valentine
- Four new clients – including AECOM, a residential appeal client, a new sports education client and a new residential developer
- Five happy existing clients – including Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway, NCP, HS2 Ltd. and Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd.
We’ve caught up with the team to find out what their highlights from the year are.
Ruth: Our director Ruth’s highlight has been having her article ‘Authentic Visions and Effective Plans’ published in the December issue of Built Environment.
Tess: Tess achieved success at appeal in May with a new garage for a home in Cheshire West and Chester, and was promoted to Director. The dynamic duo now lead the growing team even stronger together.
Tillie: Tillie returned from maternity leave this year, and was shortly promoted to Associate Planner in recognition of her brilliant Planning talent. What a welcome back!
Cal: Christmas came early for Cal when he passed his APC to become a chartered planner with the Royal Town Planning Institute on his first attempt in December. He also enjoyed seeing a three year Merseyrail project come to a close, with an impressive 100% success rate over 44 applications.
Blake: After carrying out a sequential assessment across the local centres of Handforth, Wilmslow & Alderley Edge on a very wet and grey day, Blake was questioning his decision to join RJP in October. But, he was rewarded with a clear blue sky visit to one of our previously approved homes in Stockport’s Green Belt not long after. He definitely preferred the second one, and has decided to stick with the team for the foreseeable future.
Becca: Becca’s highlight of 2022 has been enjoying the premium tea facilities in our shiny new office, offering not one but 6 types of tea and an instant hot water tap too. With endless pretzels and chocolate covered raisins at hand as well, she is in refreshment heaven (and might start coming in on her days off…).
Erin: Erin has kept the team in shape all year round, organising everything from invoices to our fabulous Christmas Party where we enjoyed great food and drinks in a new Manchester restaurant to kick off the festive season.
Farewell: we also said a fond farewell to Shaun Gaffey who moved to Stantec to pursue his passion for residential development, Callum Francis who joined our friends at AECOM to develop his project management skills and to Becky Crane who joined the Greater Manchester Police to train as a police officer!
That’s all from us this year, and it’s certainly been a big one! We hope everyone has a lovely Christmas and we’re very excited for what’s in store for 2023. See you next year.