Simon is an Associate Director at Prior + Partners and chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
Simon has led projects on behalf of both the public and private sector clients which has afforded him invaluable project and client experience. Engaging and working with a broad range of stakeholders Simon has been involved with projects focusing on UK and International spatial planning, the delivery of major urban extensions, planning application and development advice, community consultation, urban masterplanning, social infrastructure planning and infrastructure delivery and funding advice.
Simon is known as a great collaborator and is focused to build strong client and stakeholder relationships that guide meaningful project outcomes.
Previous to joining Prior + Partners Simon was employed by AECOM Design and Planning since 2011. This followed completion of a programme with the national housing and regeneration agency for England, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), training as a regeneration specialist.
Aylesbury Garden Town, Buckinghamshire
Prior + Partners are commissioned to undertake a comprehensive and cohesive master planning process for the newly identified Garden Town at Aylesbury. This work presents an opportunity to prepare a coordinated strategy which delivers on the Garden Town principles as advocated by the Town and County Planning Association (TCPA) through identifying Aylesbury’s key strengths and challenges and looking at how these can be turned into opportunities. A key aim will be to create sustainable communities by bridging the role new communities play between the existing communities of Aylesbury and the surrounding villages and the countryside. The importance of taking a more integrated approach to delivering critical infrastructure throughout the town and sustaining current housing delivery rates will be recognised as well as achieving the delivery of a well-planned, sustainable town and thriving town centre for AGT. Simon is leading aspect of strategic planning and advisory to ensure a creative approach that engages a wide range of stakeholders guides the overall vision and delivery plan for AGT.
AlUla Framework Plan and Guidelines, Saudi Arabia
Prior+Partners are commissioned as part of a wider consortium to provide Strategic Planning and Masterplanning guidance for The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Saudi Arabia. Located in the north-west of the country, covering 22,300 km2, AlUla County lies at the crossroads of ancient civilisations, in spectacular desert landscape, with a wealth of biodiversity and archaeology. The RCU’s goal is to reaffirm AlUla as one of the country’s and region’s most important archaeological and cultural destinations, while preparing to welcome visitors from around the world. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by Royal Decree in July 2017 to capitalise upon the region’s unique cultural, heritage and natural assets and transform AlUla County into a global tourism destination welcoming 2 million visitors annually by 2035. This initiative reflects the ambitious commitment made in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Plan to curate and foster tourism and leisure within the country. Simon is providing Strategic Planning and Implementation advice to prepare support preparation of the The AlUla Framework Plan which will comprise a suite of planning regulations, policies, guidelines and clear land use objectives that will provide the blueprint for sustainable development over the next 20 years in alignment with the AlUla Vision.
Central Bedfordshire 2050
What will life be like in 2050? Will things be very different? We will all be 30 years older, we may be retired, have children or grandchildren. We might be living longer. We might be a lot richer – or poorer – than we are now. However, we will still care about our families, our friends and neighbours and their prospects for the future. Prior+Partners are commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council to lead a wider consortium to prepare a fresh and innovative long-term vision for Central Bedfordshire. Recognising the challenges and opportunities this creates Simon is leading the team to challenge current thinking, considering future societal, lifestyle and technical changes and setting out an ambitious but realistic vision for change.
West of Ifield, Crawley
Prior + Partners are commissioned under a wider consortium on behalf of Homes England to lead the masterplanning and Town planning of West of Ifield. Identified as a priority for delivery by Homes England in its Strategic Plan 2018-2023 the site will provide an important contribution to housing and infrastructure provision for Crawley and Horsham. Initially the work will advance a masterplan for up to 3,250 homes alongside the potential to support the delivery of a larger development opportunity in line with the Government’s Garden Town initiative that would see the creation of a minimum of 10,000 homes, supporting infrastructure and associated community facilities.
North Essex Garden Communities, Essex
North Essex Garden Communities Ltd was set up in 2017 to take forward proposals for three new garden communities across North Essex, taking forward the Garden City idea for the 21 Century. Prior+Partners are leading a wider consortium to advance the masterplanning and delivery of new communities at Colchester Braintree Borders and Colchester Tendring Borders. Simon is project managing the project on behalf of P+P, recognising the opportunity to provide housing in a new and different way while also supporting the wider economic growth of the area with the North Essex A120 corridor set to see significant employment opportunities and transformational new infrastructure over the next 50 years.Combined, the two new communities could deliver up to approximately 34,000 new homes which rises to 43,000 with the inclusion of West of Braintree.
Waltham Forest Character and Intensification Study, London
Prior + Partners are commissioned by LBWF to prepare an urban design-led character and Intensification Study. This is to support the Council in understanding the best way to accommodate growth and intensification in an optimised way that responds to the current and developing character of the Borough. The Study will form part of the evidence base to inform the review of the borough’s existing Urban Design SPD and support a New Waltham Forest Local Plan. Simon is providing over-arching project management as well as leading aspects of urban planning and in particular the interpretation of design guidance into policy.