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 .

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 22 years planning experience in the public and private sectors. He is one of the founding partners of England & Lyle and 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 studied at the University of Nottingham and Newcastle University (post -graduate). Since joining England & Lyle in 2000 he has been involved in a wide variety of work including retail, residential and other commercial developments. Jeremy has considerable experience of Development Control having worked in senior positions at a number of local planning authorities through secondment. He is now project managing a number of large schemes throughout the region and continues to provide DC support for local planning authorities dealing with a variety of major planning applications. Jeremy was made a partner in November 2006.

Philip qualified as a member of the RTPI in 1992 having studied at Bristol Polytechnic. He has over 16 years experience in the public sector working in the South West of England, Southern Scotland and the North East of England in a variety of senior roles. He gained an
MA in Industrial Archaeology from the University of Birmingham in 2005. Interests and expertise include rural planning, planning and historic heritage, environmental planning; including renewable energy and mineral and waste development and policy planning.

Gary graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2005 having studied for an undergraduate degree and professional diploma in Town Planning. Since joining England & Lyle in September 2004 he has been involved in a wide variety of projects including residential, retail and commercial development. Gary has also gained experience of Development Control having worked at Hartlepool Borough Council through secondment. Gary achieved membership of the RTPI in October 2006.

Stephen qualified from Newcastle University in 2006 having studied for an undergraduate degree and professional diploma. Prior to joining England & Lyle in December 2005 Stephen worked in the Development Control section of Middlesbrough Borough Council where he gained vital experience of dealing with planning applications. Since joining England & Lyle Stephen has been involved in a wide variety of work including major housing developments, community involvement exercises, retail & commercial applications, Planning Appeals and Policy Representations. Stephen is now a Licentiate membership of the RTPI having been a student member for two years.

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.

Having received first class honours in his undergraduate degree from Hull University , Mike is studying part time towards a MSc in Town Planning at Newcastle University , due for completion in 2007. Mike joined England & Lyle in June 2006 after three years working as a planner in the Urban Policy and Implementation Unit at Middlesbrough Council, where he gained experience working on Local Development Framework preparation, housing regeneration initiatives, master planning, urban design and conservation appraisals. After completion of his MSc course and subsequent qualification, Mike will be well positioned to seek Licentiate membership of the RTPI.

Steven has recently graduated from Northumbria University with first class honours in geography. In September he will begin studying towards an Msc in Town Planning at Newcastle University due for completion in 2009. During this time, he will also carryout his role as a Planning Technician at England & Lyle.