Harper joins PWA

Lancashire planning consultancy PWA Planning has strengthened its team with the appointment of experienced town planner Lydia Harper.

Harper joins the Preston-based practice after 10 years as a senior planner at Wyre Council where she most recently led the development management team. She has also worked in planning roles for Lancaster City Council and Blackpool Council.

Paul Walton, director of PWA Planning, said: “Lydia brings invaluable experience and insight to the team. She has strong project management skills and commercial awareness too.

“Her time spent project managing planning applications for local authorities, particularly leading on pre-application discussions for major development schemes, will be of great value to our clients.”

As well as her career in local authority planning, Harper has experience of working on sustainable energy schemes and has undertaken private consultancy work. She has been a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 2005.

Harper said: “With changing planning policy and development land at an ever-greater premium, it’s never been more important for developers to get the right planning advice.

“It’s great to be part of a growing planning practice and I’m looking forward to using my experience and knowledge of national and local planning policy to help clients.”