TheTownPlanner

TheTownPlanner Ltd is an independent, family-run town planning consultancy established in 2018 and based in the Highlands of Scotland. The firm provides professional town planning services across Scotland and England, leveraging modern communication and online tools to offer its services throughout the UK with minimal travel requirements. The company is led by Jane Shepherd, a fully qualified Chartered Town Planner, who is supported by Peter Shepherd, contributing expertise in customer care, administration, and IT. Jane Shepherd brings over thirty-five years of experience in the field of town planning.

Prior to establishing TheTownPlanner Ltd, she dedicated over thirty years to working within various planning authorities across the UK. Her tenure included roles at Westminster City Council, The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Elmbridge Borough Council, South Ayrshire Council, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. During this period, her positions ranged from Planning Assistant to Head of Town Planning, where she managed a broad and complex array of planning issues. Her experience encompasses development management, processing planning applications, planning policy, conservation, development monitoring, and enforcement.

She has also handled enforcement cases, prosecutions, appeals, and has been involved in preparing local plans and drafting planning policy. The firm's leadership is underpinned by Jane Shepherd's comprehensive qualifications and professional accreditations. Sc. in Historic Conservation from Oxford Brookes University/University of Oxford.

Further academic achievements include a Post Graduate Certificate in Management for Planners from the University of Cambridge and a Post Graduate Certificate in Local and Family History from the University of Dundee. Jane Shepherd has been a full Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) since 1991, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to professional standards. Peter Shepherd holds a BSc (Hons) in Social Sciences with a First Class from The Open University. Jane Shepherd has also served as a Planning Expert on various media outlets, including STV News and BBC local and national radio programs.

TheTownPlanner Ltd offers a wide spectrum of town planning services designed to assist individuals, landowners, communities, developers, and businesses. These services include general planning advice, assistance with planning applications and certificates, and representation in planning appeals. The firm also provides expertise in planning enforcement, heritage and conservation matters, and offers support for short-term let applications. The company can undertake feasibility assessments, prepare planning supporting statements, and provide legal, policy, and procedural advice.

The firm is equipped to take a lead role in project managing developments through the planning process or can work collaboratively with other professionals such as architects and builders. The firm also assists with objections to planning applications and addressing complaints regarding unauthorised developments. While TheTownPlanner Ltd operates across diverse sectors, including householder extensions, education, housing, retail, business, leisure, industry, and tourism, its expertise is applicable to the student accommodation sector. The firm's experience in navigating planning applications, appeals, and policy development for housing and education projects provides a foundation for addressing the specific planning requirements of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) developments.

The company's ability to provide comprehensive advice on development management, planning policy, and conservation is relevant for developers seeking to establish or modify student housing facilities. The firm's understanding of local authority operations and its commitment to guiding clients through complex planning processes can be beneficial for PBSA projects, which often involve detailed regulatory considerations and community engagement.