PLANNING consultant Joe Ridgeon has become the youngest chairman of the Royal Town Planning Institute in the North East.
The 26-year-old, who works at Alnwick-based property agency George F White, celebrated his new role at a reception at the Biscuit Factory art gallery in Newcastle.
In the role Ridgeon looks to emphasise the importance of rural planning, linking up town planning with other professions and raising awareness of the importance of good planning.
He said: “The planning system is undergoing significant review at present to ensure it is more responsive to the priority of generating jobs and delivering new homes, while ensuring appropriate safeguards remain in place for protected areas.
“I have no doubt that 2012 will be a very challenging year for the planning industry and I look forward to leading RTPI North East during this period.”
The Royal Town Planning Institute is the professional organisation for planning experts in the public and consultancy sectors.
The organisation works to develop and shape policy affecting the built environment and promotes good planning throughout the UK, as well as consistently raising the standards of the planning profession.
Ridgeon is based at George F White’s Wolsingham office in County Durham and works closely with clients to obtain planning permission for a range of developments including mixed use development, residential, commercial, retail, leisure and tourist projects; preparing site appraisals and engaging in the development plan process to promote client interests.
He has also been working to promote renewable projects across the North of England.
He completed an RTPI accredited Masters Degree in Town Planning at the University of Newcastle in 2007, this followed a Bachelor of Arts Geography Degree at the University of Durham. He has worked in the public and private consultancy sectors.
David Stovell, immediate past chairman of RTPI North East, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Joe Ridgeon as our new North East chairman. Good planning, using sustainable development principles, is an important and valuable tool for meeting our future economic needs in the North East.
“With Joe’s undoubted skills, experience and enthusiasm we look forward to the RTPI, as well as our region, moving forward with success.”