Andy Wells BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI
Associate

Before joining Lichfield Planning in 2006, Andy worked in Local Government and a public sector agency. Within these organisations he gained experience in the full range of planning disciplines; strategic planning, development control and enforcement.

Positions

2007 to date - Associate at Lichfield Planning
2004 to 2006 - Senior Policy Planner, London Borough of Sutton
2001 to 2004 - Planning Policy Officer, Waveney District Council
2000 to 2001 - Planning Policy Officer, Suffolk County Council
1999 to 2000 - Planning Officer, Suffolk Coastal District Council
1998 to 1999 - Planning Liaison Officer, Environment Agency

Experience

The experience Andrew gained in the public sector covered the full range of planning disciplines; strategic planning, development control and enforcement. Each of these roles requires a mature understanding of the UK planning system and how it interacts with the legal system.

His experience in local authority forward planning included assessing the effectiveness of current planning policies and developing new policies for local planning purposes. Most recently, this related to residential, retail, employment, transport, open space and other community facilities; advising on the development of supplementary planning guidance for planning obligations and developing supplementary planning guidance for the provision of renewable sources of energy generation.

Andrew has experience of negotiating and working with developers and other stakeholders regarding infrastructure development of land and buildings, defining and specifying what developers of major schemes should be contributing to public benefits by way of planning agreements or as part of the overall development package. He also has experience of advising on the planning policy requirements for development proposals on or affecting land used for employment purposes and providing specialist advice on the potential impact of proposals for retail development.

In developing appropriate policies and providing sound advice, he has undertaken and supervised others on an extensive amount of research, both in terms of sectoral analysis and area-based data gathering and analytical exercises. This has involved gathering and analysing data from existing sources, such as the Census and Index of Multiple Deprivation and undertaking original work to inform accurate and timely decision-making.

Andrew has significant experience of dealing with the full range of issues that concern the planning system and extensive knowledge of the legal system as it relates to planning including case law.

Andrew’s wide range of experience includes:

• Research work for the European Business Centre, Warwickshire
• Assessment of the use of conditions in planning decisions for the Environment Agency (national project)
• Processing planning applications and undertaking enforcement action for Suffolk Coastal District Council
• Assisting with the preparation of the Suffolk Structure Plan
• Reported to Local Planning Authorities in Suffolk on the conformity of major proposals with National and Regional
• Planning guidance and local planning policies
• Analysing and progressing the recommendations of a Retail Study for Waveney District Council
• Updating existing and developing new local planning policies for Waveney District Council
• Assisting with the supervision, production and dissemination of a consultants report into local employment demand and supply
• for the London Borough of Sutton
• Assisting with the preparation of new style Development Plan Documents for the London Borough of Sutton, including public consultation
• Providing strategic planning advice on major planning applications to internal colleagues and the general public for the London Borough of Sutton
• Supervising junior staff and team working

Projects

Andrew currently works on major projects for clients in the following sectors: aviation, commercial, residential and sport and recreation.  His existing portfolio includes:

• outdoor all-weather sporting facilities with a state of the art pavilion and associated facilities (projects nation-wide);
• the conversion of a hostel to residential/ hotel in central London;
• extensions, alterations and an underground swimming pool at a residential property in London;
• a golf course in Kent, various new build residential schemes and a new children’s nursery in London.