Dr John England

John has been a member of the RTPI for over 30 years. After an early career in local government, mostly with Cleveland County Council where he was a Group Leader in policy planning, John joined WS Atkins in 1987 as Head of Planning in the Northern Regional office. In 1995 he formed England & Lyle with Ian Lyle. John has a particular interest in retail planning and in 1997 was awarded a PhD by Newcastle University for research on retail impact assessment. In 2000 his book on Retail Impact Assessment: A Guide to Best Practice was published by Routledge. John continues to specialise in retail planning consultancy for developers, retailers and local authorities across the UK . In 2009 he was appointed to the national board of action for market towns.

Ian Lyle

Ian qualified as a member of the RTPI in 1986 having been awarded an MPhil in Town & Country Planning from University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1983. He now has over 24 years planning experience in the public and private sectors. He acts for a wide range of clients promoting their land and property interests through the planning system. Particular interests and expertise includes large scale residential schemes, commercial / industrial development, listed buildings/conservation areas and forward planning. Ian is an experienced expert witness at Planning Inquiries, Public Examinations and Informal Hearings.

Jeremy qualified as a member of the RTPI in 2002 having study at the University of Nottingham and Newcastle University (post-graduate). He has been with the firm for nearly 10 years and has been involved in a wide variety of work including residential, retail and other large scale commercial development. Jeremy has considerable experience of Development Control practice and project manages the planning aspects of numerous multi-million pound projects in sectors including commercial development, residential (including student accommodation and assisted living schemes), tourism and education. Recently Jeremy has been involved in a number of schemes funded by the National Academies Framework and the Building Schools for the future initiatives.

Gary qualified as a member of the RTPI in October 2006 having studied for an undergraduate degree and professional diploma at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Since joining England & Lyle in September 2004 he has been involved in a wide variety of projects including residential, tourism, retail and commercial development. Gary has also gained experience of Development Control having worked for several local planning authorities throughout the North East Region through secondment. More recently he has appeared as an expert witness at Informal Hearings and a Planning Inquiry.

Sharon qualified as a member of the RTPI in 2000 having been awarded an MA (Hons) in Town Planning at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh in 1998. Prior to joining England & Lyle in November 2007 Sharon worked as a Senior Planning Officer in the Development Control Section at Wear Valley District Council. She also worked at Carlisle City Council as a Planning Assistant in Development Control and whilst working there gained a post graduate certificate in Urban Environmental Design from Leeds Metropolitan University (2002). She has a considerable amount of Development Control experience involving a wide variety of developments including commercial projects, major residential schemes and rural planning.

Mike qualified as a member of the RTPI in October 2009, having completed an MSc in Town Planning in 2007. Since joining England & Lyle in 2006, Mike has prepared a wide range of planning applications, planning appeals and reports. His work to-date includes town centre studies, retail assessments, conservation appraisals, planning representations and design & access statements. He has important experience in local authority planning work with Hartlepool Council and Middlesbrough Council, having graduated from Hull University with first class BA honours in Geography.

Russell became a member of the RTPI in October 2006 and holds a degree and post-graduate diploma in Town Planning from Newcastle University. Prior to joining England and Lyle in November 2009, Russell was employed as a Senior Development Control Officer at North Yorkshire County Council, where he dealt with significant and controversial Minerals and Waste related developments. Russell started his planning career at Hartlepool Borough Council, where he spent six years dealing with all aspects of Development Control, including enforcement issues. He also undertook a part time secondment in the council’s Urban Policy Section. He has practical experience of acting as an expert witness at Informal Hearings and a Public Inquiry. Russell has a particular interest in waste related development.

Steven graduated from Northumbria University in July 2007 with first class honours in geography subsequently completed an MSc in Town Planning at Newcastle University. Since joining England & Lyle in July 2007, Steven has been involved in a wide variety of projects including major residential, student and commercial developments. His role has included the preparation and submission of a wide variety of supporting information including Planning Policy Statements, Design & Access Statements and Appeal Statements. Having completed his MSc in Town Planning, Steven will be well placed to seek corporate membership of the RTPI in 2010.