The Envision network is able to call upon the services of a number of professionals who operate as self employed consultants. The following 'associates' are available to assist on the larger projects where additional resources and expertise are needed:
Nick Taylor BA (Hons) MRTPI has 20 years’ experience of senior management of top performing local authority planning and regeneration services and over 30 years’ experience in planning.
Until 2011, Nick was Assistant Director Strategy and Development at Shropshire Council, leading the transition of planning and economic development services to the new unitary council. He won the award of Local Planning Authority of the Year from the West Midlands Region of the RTPI, whilst achieving significant budget savings. Nick has been at the forefront of innovation in policy, through Shropshire’s “Place Plans”, adoption of CIL and integration of regeneration, infrastructure investment and spatial planning through the ‘Shropshire Regeneration prospectus’, ‘Shrewsbury Vision’ and Market Towns Regeneration Programme. He was Policy Lead for Rural Renaissance for the West Midlands Regional Assembly and negotiated an innovative inter-authority LPSA target for affordable housing.
Whilst Deputy Director of Planning and Development with Wigan Council, Nick established its first Local Strategic Partnership, Community Plan and Agenda 21 Plan. He led successful bids for Wigan City Challenge (£37m), winning a BURA regeneration award, and three SRB programmes (£23m), master-planned the Wigan Pier Quarter and devised the largest programme of coalfield reclamation in the North West.
In 2011, Nick established Nick Taylor Planning and Regeneration Ltd. Clients include a major national public sector organisation, a local authority, a Neighbourhood Plan group and private clients. Current and recent commissions include planning appeals, neighbourhood planning, renewable energy and heritage policy issues.
Sarah Rycroft Dip LA CMLI is a Chartered Landscape Architect with 30 years experience working in the Private Sector as a Landscape Designer. Since 1987 she has been Principal of Rycroft Associates Landscape Architects based in Manchester. She has also worked in the Education Sector as a visiting Tutor at Manchester University and MMU.
Rycroft Associates have been approved consultants to many of the Local Authorities and Public Sector bodies within the North West Region as well as advising numerous National & International Private Sector companies, providing Landscape Design Services on a wide range of projects including: Housing & Commercial Developments, Parks & Public Open Spaces, Sports Facilities, Hospitals & Care Homes, School Grounds & Community Centres and the Restoration of Historic gardens.
Sarah’s other areas of expertise include the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments, Route Assessment, Site Survey and Analysis and the provision of Expert Witness Services.
Since 2006 Sarah has concentrated on providing Design & Consultancy Services on her own account, to allow her the opportunity to concentrate on the provision of high quality design and advice to clients utilising her broad range of experience gained over 30 years as a Landscape Architect.
Steve Yates BSc(Hons), MA, MRTPI has over 37 years in urban regeneration, economic development and planning, including senior management positions - 11 years as Director of Development and Deputy Chief Executive at Trafford Park Development Corporation, 7 years as Deputy Director of Planning and Development at Bolton MBC and 4 years as Principal in the Urban Renewal Directorate at the Scottish Development Agency on the Glasgow Eastern Area Renewal (GEAR) project.
An independent consultant since 1998, clients include two URCs: New East Manchester and Central Salford, Manchester City Council; Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive; English Partnerships; the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities the North West Development Agency; The Lake District National Park Authority, Trafford Borough Council; Corby Borough Council and Craven District Council . In work on the Corby and Craven LDFs Steve specialised in employment, town centre and transport issues. For AGMA, Steve led in the preparation of the Greater Manchester Strategy. Steve’s most recent projects include Acting Chief Executive for Central Salford and subsequent project champion for major regeneration schemes in the Chapel Street/ Crescent area. He has provided project development expertise to NEM in relation to the development of the major Central Park business location over many years. For LDNPA Steve project-managed the re-development of the Brockhole Visitor Centre. Steve is a member of the Planning Aid Steering Group for NW England.
Steve has been an independent consultant since 2007. His particular interest lies in tailoring desirable development opportunities so that they meet the various needs of owners, funders and regulators, and in making them happen. He is a team player and an experienced manager.
He has been dealing with planning and regeneration issues since 1973, and was for 30 years a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He is 60, and has been based in Liverpool since 1996.
Previously based in London and Manchester, he has worked for both local and central government and (as the chief planning officer) for an Urban Development Corporation. His final full-time post was as Deputy Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods at Knowsley MBC in suburban Merseyside.
Between 2007 and 2009 he advised the LK Group Ltd, an environmental consultancy based in Bury, on project development and identified development opportunities for them and their clients. In 2008 he began to work with Four North, the Liverpool office of Four Communications plc, specialising in assisting developer clients with their projects, and this continues. He also works with other local consultants with complementary expertise to provide clients with comprehensive solutions. His current projects are in Merseyside, Cheshire and W. Sussex.