Rural planning consultancy specialising in development on farms, horticultural enterprises and rural estates.Current and recent work includes:Applications for farm shop, agricultural buildings and slurry lagoon.Applications for dwellings to serve an equestrian centre, reindeer enterprise and farm.Application to change the use of a stable block to residential and another to a mix of business and residential. Planning applications to change use from agricultural to industrial, storage and offices, and prior notification for 'Class R' flexible uses including storage, retail, professional services and hotel uses.Applications for boarding kennels (Hampshire, Berkshire and Shropshire) and a cattery (Derbyshire).Application for livery centre in the Green Belt.Appeals concerning development in conservation areas, one of which was to discharge a planning obligation relating to use of a residential annex.Feasibility assessment for client with several possible development projects on land currently in equestrian use.Application for a 'garden room'​ in a World Heritage Site and Conservation Area.Applications for Lawful Development Certificates for shipping containers and other structures on farmland, in England and Wales.Set of planning advice notes to help parish councils in a Nature Improvement Area to respond constructively to planning applications.Opposition to nearby proposed housing development in various villages and towns in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cambridgeshire.Prior notification for residential conversion of agricultural barns; in late 2014 I began offering fixed-price feasibility assessments (recognising that more than half of all applications in England were being turned down as ineligible or unacceptable).Objections to and representations on modifications to draft Local Plans.Opposition to nearby proposed livestock developments.Opposition to nearby proposed 'backland' housing development in a west Staffordshire village.

Working towards launch of my planning consultancy in April 2014.

I worked on delivery of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), our relationships with Local Enterprise Partnerships, and the development of alternative enterprises on farms. I lobbied for the rapid extension of 'reasonably-fast broadband' into more rural areas, making it easier for farmers to communicate with suppliers and customers, diversify their businesses, and have their voices heard in Whitehall and Westminster. I worked with external partners on retention of key rural services such as the post office network and rural fire and rescue services. My work on combating rural crime included the NFU's manifesto for the Police & Crime Commissioner elections in 2012. From April 2013 I also had responsibility for the NFU's policy work on rural planning, in which exciting changes are happening already with more in store.Recent projects include:• NFU response to Defra consultation on strategic environmental assessment of the 2014-20 Rural Development Programme;• Assisted with NFU response to HS2 Ltd consultation on property compensation (especially proposed property bond);• NFU response to DCLG consultation on possible freedom to change the use of agricultural buildings to residential;• Briefing paper for MPs on planning controls in National Parks;• Briefing paper for MPs on fly-grazing, reflecting a report produced in January 2013 by a working group I chaired.I represented the NFU on:National Planning Forum;Rural Coalition;The TCPA-hosted Climate Spatial Futures Group;Defra Rural Communities Stakeholder Forum;Defra Rural Evidence Stakeholder Group;National Rural Tourism Partnership;Defra's Local Enterprise Partnership Round Table;UK Policy and Practitioners Group;ACPO's Rural Crime Strategic Working Group;National Business Crime Forum;BASC-hosted Poaching Priority Group.

Managed small team of regional specialists, supported by around 50 local Group Secretaries based mostly in market towns throughout the West Midlands. Our role is to promote and safeguard our farming & growing members' interests, and we do this on our own but also in partnership with others.

Provided advice to members on non-commodity subjects including planning, public rights of way, health & safety, environmental designations, water resources and employment procedures. Gave evidence at public inquiries including those into proposed power lines and large incinerators.

Advised NFU colleagues and members about town & country planning procedures and policies. Also covered listed buildings, archaeology, urban fringe issues. Secretary to NFU national Parliamentary, Land Use & Environment Committee 1986-89.