Midlands consultancy expands with expert town planner hire
Planning | News
Leading consultancy Marrons Planning has bolstered and expanded its West Midlands presence through the appointment of expert chartered town planner David Fovargue.
Taking on the role of planning director, David will be responsible for growing the business and will use his vast experience, skills and knowledge to successfully promote land acr chartered town planner oss the country, as well as secure planning permission for land promoters and housebuilders.
With 19 years’ experience, David joins the consultancy after 17 years at Wood Group, where he was technical director – leading development of the company’s town planning service line.
Specialising in strategic land promotion, property and sustainability, David’s planning experience covers applications, appeals and land disposals, taking sites through to delivery and implementation.
David said: “Marrons Planning shares my values and ambitions as a commercial, property-focused planning consultancy, which is clearly going places given its rapid climb up the planning league tables.
“The team has an established reputation in strategic land and development projects, which complements my own capabilities. Marrons Planning is renowned in the industry by its clients and the Royal Town Planning Institute, having received previous awards for planning excellence.
“I am looking forward to helping clients navigate what is a hugely uncertain time for the planning system and housing delivery all-round, as well as supporting the professional development of colleagues through mentoring.”
David will primarily be based at the firm’s Stratford-upon-Avon hub, but will be working with clients nationally.
Recently, David has supported Suffolk County Council and Concertus Design & Property Consultants in the permission and £35 million land sale of a 1,150-home urban extension to Sudbury, Suffolk.
This sits alongside other notable projects, including consents for Bellway Homes’ strategic land division in Huntingdonshire and 800 homes for The Crown Estate on sites in Wiltshire and Somerset.
He has also advised local authorities across the UK on policy development in response to climate change, centred on the delivery of low carbon and climate-resilient communities.
David said: “I enjoy leading and working with teams and specialists across different disciplines to deliver success for my clients, often within the cut and thrust of local politics – problem-solving to balance competing planning, technical and environmental challenges.
“Knowing that I am helping to support the delivery of new homes, as well as associated infrastructure, habitats and green space, in the face of a national housing crisis is particularly rewarding.”
David joins following a string of appointments by Marrons Planning, including Simon Macklen as director of economics to head up the firm’s new socio-economics service, RIBA chartered architect and urban design expert Alex Craggs in support of its recently-launched urban design service, Kevin Exley as principal planner, and Jacqueline Jackson as planning director.
Gary Stephens, partner and town planning consultant at Marrons Planning, said: “It is fantastic to welcome David to our team, particularly as we look to bolster our reputation in the West Midlands. David’s experience unlocking complex, strategic housing projects such as garden communities and new settlements – from planning to implementation – will be a real asset to our team.
“There has been a significant increase in demand for our services due to our high success rate in achieving planning permission for clients. David will strengthen Marrons Planning and bring new ideas and skills to unlock more sites across the country.“
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About Marrons
Marrons is a multi-service development consultancy backed by the experience of working for local authorities, extensive market intel and connections across the industry - from planning offices and private landowners to housebuilders and retailers.
With expertise in Planning, Architecture, Design, Heritage and Economic Development, you can trust us to lead, protect and enhance the value of your land or building assets ensuring we turn your plans into reality.
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