NIPA Council

Steven Norris is Chairman of Soho Estates. He was a Conservative MP for 14 years and Minister for Transport from 1992 to 1996.

He is credited with forcing through the Jubilee Line Extension as a minister and took the first Crossrail Bill through Parliament.  Seeing how long the Public Inquiry into Terminal 5 was taking he was an early defender of the transformative 2008 Planning Act which some of his colleagues wanted to abolish when returned to power in 2010, and an early and enthusiastic supporter of NIPA ever since.  Having retired from Parliament in 1997 he continues to be engaged in the campaign to improve our ability to deliver large infrastructure in a timely and efficient manner.  Steve is an Eminent Fellow of the RICS and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Institution of Highways and Transportation. He has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East London.     

Alex has over 12 years’ experience as a Land Referencing professional in the successful delivery of a variety of nationally significant infrastructure schemes throughout his career. He has specialised in researching the various types of ownership and recognising landowners and others with an interest in land to be acquired, accessed or used for the development and construction of projects. Having lead on the Land Referencing requirements on numerous DCOs, alongside managing the delivery teams throughout the process. He provides consultancy advice to clients on land related matters at all stages of a project delivery, including initial route conception and the land risks to be aware of, delivery and application, and acceptance through to construction.

Matt assists clients in securing consents that will meet their desired objectives for a project. Starting with advising on appropriate consenting strategies, utilising his experience on projects across the range of different available planning regimes in the UK, Matt works with project teams to advise on consultation strategies, stakeholder engagement, project development matters and ensuring that application documentation (and the approach to key issues within them) is robust and able to survive the scrutiny of the planning process. Matt also has significant experience in guiding projects through examination and inquiry processes, with particular experience in the Planning Act 2008 process, working on some of the largest projects in the UK, with his current focus particularly on projects seeking to deliver the transition to Net Zero. Matt’s practice also includes assisting on project delivery, advising on the interface between the consenting and contracting processes.

Greg has been working in communications and stakeholder engagement for more than 20 years. He has delivered national and regional campaigns and been project lead on a number of detailed political, stakeholder and community relations programmes. Greg has led on stakeholder and community relations for several NSIPs and DNSs across England and Wales, with projects covering electricity networks, water resources, aviation, nuclear, renewables, and highways. A number of his projects have been linear schemes, giving Greg a detailed knowledge of working across multiple authorities and how best to navigate the communication challenges this can create. He has participated in MP briefings, public meetings, and led on hundreds of community events. Greg is adept at using a broad range of communication channels to encourage constructive dialogue, including digital, virtual reality and face-to-face engagement.

Ada is the Policy Specialist for the Royal Town Planning Institute, leading on the Institute’s policy positions and research programme on infrastructure planning and climate change. She holds a PhD in Land Economy and an MPhil in Environmental Policy, both from the University of Cambridge. At the start of her career, she was a journalist covering transport infrastructure news in Hong Kong.

Sinead is a planning lawyer and has significant experience of securing consent for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) by Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008. Sinead has advised on some of the largest and most complex NSIPs that have been granted and are currently at different stages of the process to date. She has advised both promoters and key stakeholders, including statutory bodies, in relation to their position as third parties in DCO applications.

Andrew has over twenty years’ experience advising on the development of sustainable infrastructure projects; as a lawyer, as a government advisor, in-house and as an independent consultant. Andrew has played a central role in the consenting teams for nine development consent order projects, including as Development Consent Order (DCO) manager for the Walney extension offshore wind farm, planning counsel for the Wylfa and Oldbury nuclear new builds and strategic consenting advisor on Anglian Water’s wastewater and reservoir DCO projects. In the offshore wind sector, he has advised on all the UK seabed leasing rounds, including the drafting of successful bids for 12GW of capacity.

30 year track record in infrastructure and development planning. Experienced in consents strategy, resolving major consents issues and delivering all aspects of infrastructure development across the transport sector; from early consultation and lobbying to submission and approval. This includes leading teams in a wide range of roles for major planning applications, Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAOs), Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and Parliamentary Bills. Strategic adviser to Government clients assessing consenting routes for major projects and providing advice on a range of issues including community, socioeconomic and health impact assessment. Achievements include successfully leading and closing negotiations with high profile objectors and petitioners.

Viki is an award-winning, APM-qualified Senior Project Manager with over 20 years of experience in major infrastructure project delivery. Currently leading Ardent’s Consents Management Consultancy team, she specializes in bridging the gap between consent and construction.

Clare is a planning lawyer at Southern Water specialising in the development and implementation of NSIP highway schemes. Clare has worked on some of National Highways most complex and high-value highway schemes including the A303 Stonehenge, A428 Black Cat and the Lower Thames Crossing. Clare also provides strategic support to National Highways in the development of its future priorities and responding to legislative and policy reforms. Prior to becoming a planning lawyer, Clare was a policy adviser at HM Treasury focusing on public spending.

Vicki is a Partner in the Planning & Infrastructure team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and has acted on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects since the regime was introduced in 2008. Vicki has advised promoters on numerous DCO projects in the energy and transport sectors as well as local authorities and statutory consultees. Vicki's DCO experience includes schemes for overhead lines, offshore wind, biomass, CCGT, rail freight, and highways, from pre-application, through submission and examination, and into implementation. Vicki is also currently advising on a number of infrastructure projects under the TCPA including for onshore wind, solar and airport schemes.

Phil’s early career developed from graduate site engineering to a senior leadership role over a number of water framework contracts. Other projects include the design, procurement and management of bridge strengthening schemes and work on the structures aspects of a large transport feasibility study. Phil has recently focused on all aspects of the Development Consent Order process including pre-application activities and representing the applicant through the examination and managing post consent activities. In addition to a solid foundation in construction management, he has particular skills in design and stakeholder management with significant experience working with regulatory bodies, local authorities, statutory undertakers and other stakeholders such as landowners and community groups. Phil has both the managerial skills and technical ability to develop safe, innovative solutions to ensure best value to the client whilst also ensuring end user and stakeholder satisfaction. A wealth of experience in estimating, tendering and procurement. He also has a thorough knowledge of contract administration. Phil believes strongly in the benefits of establishing and maintaining an integrated project team throughout the project lifecycle. He has first-hand experience of the value that can be realised from effective relationship building with stakeholders, clients and/or end users to ensure successful project outcomes

Harry is an Infrastructure Planner at WSP with 4 years’ experience across the public and private sectors. Harry has worked on behalf of Applicants and Councils on DCO projects as well as acted on large TCPA infrastructure applications. Harry recently conducted a MSc dissertation on the role of judicial reviews in the NSIP regime.

James practices in planning, environmental law, and public law. His practice regularly encompasses retained/ assimilated EU law and international law. James was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1996, and the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2009. James was a member of the Attorney-General’s London Panels of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 1999-2013. He also served on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Junior Counsel Panel from 2009 to 2013. He has been consistently ranked as a leading silk in planning, environmental law, and public law by Chambers and Legal 500. Environment/Planning Silk of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

Peta is an environmental planner with over 20 years’ experience in coordinating and delivering projects ranging from initial project development through to delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, with vast experience in leading renewable energy schemes and large-scale infrastructure projects. As environmental lead, her strengths lie in collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team and coordinating technical project advice to shape and deliver strong, innovative projects which are influenced by, and tailored to, each unique site and its opportunities.  Peta is co-lead of the Policy and Practice Working Group.

Viral is an Practice Director with 13 years’ experience of urban planning and major infrastructure consenting. He currently leads Atkins 140 strong Planning, Environmental Consenting and Communities business. Viral is a Chartered Town Planner with a wide range of experience covering major infrastructure, residential, energy, waste and site selection processes. Viral’s commitment to Town Planning and his high-quality work has been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute and received the accolade of Young Planner of the Year in 2015.

Anna is an experienced Infrastructure planner and project manager with over 15 years’ experience working within the UK infrastructure sector, working within waste water, transport and energy.  Anna is passionate about a people first approach recognizing the pressure the DCO process can put on all those involved. 

Anna is a Chartered Town Planner (MRPTI), a Council Member for the National Infrastructure Planning Association (NIPA) and on the 2026 to 2028 General Assembly for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).  Anna was a finalist for Best Consultant for the Women in Engineering and Construction Awards 2023 and named as a Women of Influence 2024 by the Planner.  

Andy leads Quod’s Infrastructure & Economics team.  He has advised clients on a wide range of infrastructure projects including Heathrow, Gatwick, London City and Luton Airports. He has worked on all four new nuclear power stations, offshore wind and solar schemes, as well as major transport schemes including the Lower Thames Crossing, Northern Line Extension and several ports.

 

Mark is a planner and member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 1994. He has worked mainly in local government but has also had experience of private practice and was Head of Planning at the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands from 2006-2010 where amongst other large-scale projects he worked in support of the emerging Planning Act 2008. He has been at North Kesteven since 2014 and leads the councils planning functions and delivery of major developments.

Alex has delivered consents for low carbon energy at all scales across multiple technologies in the UK. He is a chartered town planner.

Sophie is a highly motivated and experienced marine and landside consenting professional working as part of a successful capital projects team. Responsible for securing and delivering consents for port infrastructure development to support the strategic growth of the business. Successful track-record of consent delivery and management across a diverse portfolio of high value port development projects spanning the DCO, HRO, Town Planning and Marine Licensing regimes.

Olivia is an associate in the planning and compulsory purchase team having qualified in September 2020 after training with the firm. She has experience of a range of matters including nationally significant infrastructure projects, compulsory purchase and contentious matters including planning appeals and judicial review claims. Olivia has a particular interest in the energy sector.

Jordan is a chartered town planner and Associate at DWD. Working in the infrastructure planning team for over six years, he has been involved with a number of infrastructure projects, including several Development Consent Orders, with a particular focus on energy.