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Impact Planning Services is an established independent town and country planning consultancy bringing with it a considerable wide range of experience of the planning system across the UK. Those within the Practice have extensive knowledge of the planning system and currently provide consultancy services to the public and private sectors, land owners, developers, trusts, institutions, architects, charities, individuals and home owners. The Practice is proud of its reputation as an independent consultancy capable of finding practical and pragmatic solutions for its clients’ entire town planning needs.
Meet the team
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Robert Gillespie, BA (Hons) MRTPIManaging DirectorRobert has been a planning practitioner since 1979 and has been in consultancy for over 40 years. Robert decided to establish his own planning consultancy following an extensive and varied career commencing in local government, moving to the private sector in 1984, having been a partner with one of the UK’s former leading planning consultancies (Chapman Warren), director of a major multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy (RPS Planning Transport and Environment) and finally director of a specialist urban regeneration company. Robert has also served as a Trustee of the Town and Country Planning Association.
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Rachel Bird, BA (Hons), MPLAN, MRTPISenior PlannerRachel joined the practice in January 2018 and has a wide experience of working in busy private sectors consultancies for the past 11 years on a variety of projects including renewable energy schemes, commercial schemes, individual dwellings and larger residential schemes. Rachel is a project lead at IPS, negotiating directly with clients and subconsultants on the delivery of site appraisals, applications and appeals.
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Fung Yee Gillespie BA (Hons)Practice ManagerFung Yee came from a Hong Kong based business background however, since moving to the UK to study in 1978 has been involved in specialist youth education projects, project management and accountancy. Within IPS, Fung Yee is responsible for all aspects of accounts, project auditing and quality control. She brings varied experience to the role to guarantee the smooth running of the business and supporting the planning team to ensure that our Clients continue to receive the service which they have come to expect.
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Antony Booth BA(hons) MSc MRTPIAntony joined the practice in September 2018 following completion of his studies at Plymouth University. He studied Geography at undergraduate level and stayed in the city to complete an RTPI accredited masters course in Planning. Since joining IPS Antony has built upon the skills and knowledge he has gained at university completing his Chartered MRTPI qualification in 2021. He is a key member of the IPS team, managing the preparation, submission and negotiation of planning applications, representations to Local Plans processes and the preparation and submission of planning appeals.
Project Planner -
Joel Forey BA (Hons)Joel joined the practice in September 2023 upon the completion of his degree in Urban Planning at Newcastle University, focussing particularly on the impacts of changes to the economy and industries on small villages and towns across the north of England. He also has experience working part-time at a local planning consultancy in his home county of Northamptonshire. Joel will assist the planning team with a variety of new and expanding projects, drawing upon the skills and experience he gained during his studies as he becomes part of the growing and successful team in Swindon.
Planning Assistant -
Jemma Clark BSc (hons) MScJemma joined the practice in September 2023 following her completion of her studies at Queen’s University Belfast. She studied BSc Planning, Environment and development at undergraduate level, graduating in 2022 and continuing her studies in Belfast to complete a MSc degree in City Planning and Design. She completed her thesis in September 2023 with a project on how Teenagers Experience Public Space in Chippenham, alongside the charity Make Space for Girls. Jemma will assist the planning team using her experience and skills from her degree in a variety of projects alongside the team in Swindon.
Planning Assistant
What our Clients think
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A practice known for punching above its weight, Impact Planning Services is knowledgeable, committed and enthusiastic.Nigel Robbins, Cirencester College
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I was originally recommended to Rob Gillespie after he had acted on behalf of my neighbour with a difficult planning issue.
I had been having problems with the siting of a stables building. I turned to Rob for his professional guidance and help after the planning application had been turned down by the local council and parish council.
Rob took over and dealt with the borough and parish council, challenging where necessary and managing sensibly my expectations. Success followed, permission was granted and Rob continued to work on my behalf, accessing his network of contacts to satisfy the council conditions. An example would be around the archaeology of the site. I would have no hesitation in recommending Rob.John Farrelly -
Impact Planning Services has always played a full and effective role when engaged to assist us in the formulation and negotiation of planning applications and master plans. A clear understanding of our clients' objectives is matched with a detailed understanding of the planning system, how it operates and how to overcome the many hurdles which can frustrate and delay their projects.Bill Taylor - Managing Director of Hopkins Architects
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First and foremost Rob Gillespie is an excellent planner. He is technically and tactically astute and has an enthusiasm for a project, whether it is promoting a single dwelling (albeit in World Heritage Site) or resisting a 7,000,000 sq. feet distribution facility. It makes him a pleasure to work with.Peter Goatley
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Rob knows his planning policy inside out, and is always up to speed with current, changing and emerging policies, at local, regional and national level. He is hugely experienced having spent 30 years as a professional planning practitioner and advisor.
Having sat with Rob at a public inquiry, have seen at first hand the quality of his preparation and the effectiveness of his argument. He's tenacious, and someone you want to have on your side, not against you. Rob is loyal and has a sense of humour, so he is always a pleasure to work with.
Rob understands land use and development appraisal, so can advise public and private sector clients alike.Jerry Holmes, Chairman of the Leigh Conservation Area Residents Association