aBOUT US

Founded by Judith Norris, The Rural Planning Practice provides specialist planning advice for development in market towns, villages, and the countryside.

These areas have unique planning challenges which require specialist knowledge  and bespoke planning solutions.

Judith Norris

JUDITH NORRIS

FRICS Planning and Development

IHBC

BSc (Hons) Estate Management

 PGDip Conservation of Historic Gardens and Cultural Landscapes

MSc Conservation of Historic Buildings

Having started her practical training as a land agent with Strutt and Parker on the Beaulieu Estate, Judith then worked for the National Trust in Cornwall and the South-East region managing a variety of iconic properties including The White Cliffs of Dover, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, and Cotehele. Judith has found her land management experience including forestry to be an important background to the rural planning work that has been her specialism for over twenty years.

Her postgraduate training includes a PG Dip in the Conservation of Historic Gardens and Cultural Landscapes, and a Masters degree in the Conservation of Historic Buildings, both from the University of Bath. She is a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation as well as the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants.

Away from work, Judith has never grown out of ponies and this four-legged addiction has led to all sorts of interesting ramifications including breeding sports horses (yet to win Badminton), riding as much as possible including some competing, and trail hunting.

Judith is a passable cook (we all like eating at The Rural Planning Practice), loves walking with her dogs, and continues to lust after a doctorate on a topic related to the Enclosure Acts and their economic and visual impact.

Jo Outram

JO OUTRAM

BSc Architecture

MSc Building Conservation

With an honours degree in architecture and a Master’s in Building Conservation, Jo has found a perfect niche working for an planning practice in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) rich in listed buildings and fine landscapes.

Well organised, meticulous, and design-conscious, she has an eye for detail and an interest in green issues such as sustainable building technologies. She enjoys using the latest in computer technology to achieve her clients’ goals, whether these relate to private homes and leisure facilities or commercial operations, such as agriculture and equestrian businesses.

Christina Salmon

CHRISTINA SALMON

BSc Archaeology

Christina has a BA Hons in Archaeology and retains a keen interest in all things ancient and prehistoric. Christina also worked for many years in the fields of Careers Guidance and Human Resource Management before discovering a passion for planning in recent years. She is currently working towards an MSc in Urban and Rural Planning. Christina lives in rural Gloucestershire with her family and menagerie of animals including horses, dogs, chickens, and bees.

Away from work, as well as being a taxi driver to her three children, Christina enjoys riding and is lucky to have some amazing countryside to explore on her doorstep. She is also a member of her local amateur dramatic group, taking to the stage when she can (but is unlikely to win an Oscar anytime soon). Christina also enjoys trips to the theatre to see how the professionals do it.

Having grown up on the island of Anglesey, she likes to return to the coast whenever possible and enjoys most water sports.

Faith Swarbrick

FAITH SWARBRICK

MRTPI

MSc Environmental Planning

Faith is a Chartered Town Planner, starting her career straight after her A levels working for a authority in Lancashire. Here she not only gained a wealth of experience dealing with all manner of rural and urban issues but was also able to study part-time and achieving an MSc. in Environmental Planning and membership to the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Since then Faith has worked for several local authorities across the country adding to her experience and knowledge base. Her last local government appointment was with Cotswold District Council. Her experience is not limited to just local authority work, Faith successfully ran her own planning consultancy business dealing with pre-application advice and appeals for private clients.

In her role Faith brings a wealth of experience in planning and an insight into the inner workings of local government planning and puts this to excellent use tenaciously pursuing councils on behalf of our clients.

Away from work, Faith enjoys the outdoors, particularly walking her dogs in the lovely Cotswold countryside. She also enjoys fell walking in The Lake District, attending Cheltenham Races, skiing, and cookery. However, she is not yet up to Master Chef standard so will not be appearing on her favourite show soon. Faith is very proud of her greatest achievement- wing walking on a bi-plane despite being terrified of heights!

Alena Dollimore

ALENA DOLLIMORE

MRTPI

BSc Property with Business

MSc Spatial Planning and Development

Alena graduated from the University of Westminster gaining an honour’s degree in Property with Business which focused on property valuation and management. This, together with her experience in town planning, means that she has a good understanding of wider residential and commercial property issues

Alena has completed an MSc in Spatial Planning and Development at the University of Reading. She worked for a specialist town planning consultancy where she gained experience on a wide range of projects including promotion of strategic housing sites, preparation of evidence for, and attendance of planning inquiries.

Alena has been exposed to a wide range of projects, including residential, commercial, and retail development while working for a large construction-led consultancy. She particularly enjoys the challenges of modern and traditional barn conversions and she like exploring the development potential of redundant sites in both rural and urban locations. Alena prides herself on building and maintaining positive working relationships with project and design teams, and a wide range of stakeholders.

Away from work, Alena enjoys spending time with her family and tending to her allotment. Alena’s culinary skills are somewhat limited so she will not be seen on any cooking or baking show in the future.

Anneli Ives

ANNELI IVES

BSc International Equine & Agricultural Business Management

MSc Rural Estate Management 

Anneli is a graduate from The Royal Agricultural University, studying International Equine & Agricultural Business Management, then completing a Master’s in Rural Estate Management.

A former high goal polo groom, Anneli has extensive knowledge in horse husbandry. She has found a perfect niche of working in an office that incorporates both her interests.

Away from work, Anneli likes to compete with her Golden Retrievers in breed showing classes including competing at Crufts each year.

TEAM ASSISTANTS