Christopher Hobson Email & Phone Number

As the Principal Planner within the Building Consultancy team I manage the planning element of the varied projects we manage on behalf of our clients. These range from residential extensions, barn conversions, new dwellings ranging from single plots to medium sized estates, and commercial changes of use and buildings, and also agricultural and farm expansions and diversification's. This involves pre-application engagement, planning application submissions; planning appeal work and advice on legal agreements and negotiation of Section 106 Agreements. We are also currently involved in land promotion through plan making process for a large number of our clients. I also work closely with our Residential, Commercial and Agriculture providing them with prompt, detailed and accurate advice in supporting the broader services that Durrants provide.

Dereham

From August 2015 to October 2017 I was employed by Capita as a Principal Development Management Planner for Breckland Council. Whilst predominantly undertaking work for Breckland I have also undertaken work for Newark and Sherwood District Council and High Peak Authority. I have dealt with a caseload of major planning applications for Breckland, predominantly for major residential schemes; negotiated design improvements to schemes and complex legal agreements and providing pre-application advice for major residential and commercial projects. This was combined with helping to manage the Development Management Team, allocating and signing off colleagues work, providing advice to colleagues, liaising with elected members, presenting items at Planning Committee and initiating internal design workshops and training sessions.

I have undertaken a variety of Development Management roles for various Local Planning Authorities and for private sector clients across England. These include dealing with planning applications and negotiations of Section 106 Agreements for a variety of minor, major and other developments and planning enforcement for Salford City Council, Warrington Borough Council, Chorley Borough Council, Stafford Borough Council, Northumberland County Council, Cheshire East Council, London Borough of Hillingdon, Isle of Wight Council, and Newcastle City Council. I have also represented a number of Councils at planning appeals, including written representations, hearings and public inquiries and played a lead role as co-chair of the departments Training Team. In addition, I have provided planning advice, submitting planning applications and dealt with planning appeals on behalf of private sector clients, and in 2013 was awarded Urban Vision Achiever of the Year Award.

I dealt with a varied caseload of planning applications for minor, other and resdiential and commercial developments, including works to Listed Buildings, and advertisement consent. I also provided advice on complex planning issues, represented the Council at appeal and also validated and registered planning applications. This was combined with a Major Projects role of assisting with discussions and determination of major projects and planning applications, including the Friarsgate mixed use City Centre redevelopment scheme.

I provided planning advice, carried out a duty officer role, and undertook site visits, negotiations and report writing as part of a planning application caseload, and carried out planning technician roles, and research on planning appeals and section 106 Agreements.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Urban Design

Master Of Science (Msc), Planning Practice And Research