Planning Direct is pleased to announce that Director Andrew Cann and senior colleague Nikki O’Hagan have both been elected as Chartered Members of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

To become Chartered Town Planners, Andrew and Nikki both had to show that they had the necessary qualifications and experience. They also had to pass the RTPI’s professional competence assessment. This involved a three-part written submission covering planning theory, planning judgement, professional ethics and practical experience.

Their applications were supported by senior colleague Steve Miller. Steve is a former Head of Town Planning and a long-standing Chartered Planner.

This is an important achievement for Andrew and Nikki. It is also a proud moment for Planning Direct. With three Chartered Planners within the team, Planning Direct is now a practice of Chartered Town Planners.

What Chartered status means

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is the UK’s Chartered Institute for town planning. Chartered membership is the highest professional planning accreditation in the UK and represents the gold standard of planning practice.

Chartered Planners must also comply with the RTPI Code of Professional Conduct. This requires Members to act with honesty and integrity, maintain professional competence, exercise independent professional judgement, and show respect in their professional behaviour.

This is important because the planning process can have significant financial and personal consequences for homeowners, landowners and developers. They need to have confidence in their planning agent and trust them to give clear, honest advice, manage risk properly and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome.

Chartered status provides additional reassurance that work is being undertaken by planners who have demonstrated their competence and are answerable to the RTPI’s professional and ethical standards and disciplinary process.

For Planning Direct, Chartered membership reflects the skill, judgement, professionalism and dedication we seek to bring to every planning case.

We are delighted to mark this achievement and look forward to continuing to support our clients with high-quality planning advice.