Planner James boosts Dorset consultancy’s growth
A leading planning consultancy in the south has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new planner following sustained business demand.
Dorset-based Ken Parke Planning Consultants Ltd (KPPC) has hired chartered town planner James Blake to facilitate ongoing strategic business growth.
He joined from a role as senior planner at Pro Vision in Winchester and he previously worked at Platinum Property Partners in Bournemouth.
His role at KPPC includes working on new projects, building valuable relationships and working with clients in helping them navigate the planning system to achieve their outcomes.
Ken, who founded KPCC with wife Angela in 2003, said: “We welcome James to the business as a seasoned all-rounder.
“James is an experienced operator whose key skills and specialisms are essential as we continue to implement the consultancy’s ongoing strategic growth plan on the south coast and beyond.
“His appointment is crucial as demand rises from commercial and residential clients, especially mid-sized developers.
“He has hit the ground running, is already immersed in the Ken Parke Planning Consultants culture and has fitted in with the team seamlessly. We have high expectations that he will continue to perform brilliantly.”
James joins KPPC’s eight-strong team in Bournemouth from where they support clients across the central south region and nationwide.
He holds a BA (Honours) degree in Geography from the University of Leicester and an MSc in Urban and Rural Planning from the University of the West of England (UWE) and is starting a further MSc degree with UWE in Real Estate Finance and Investment.
James, who is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), started his planning career in 2015 at a property franchise company based in Bournemouth, specialising in setting up high-quality Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across England.
He developed a keen interest in property development and investment through this and is an independently published author – his book, HMO Property Setup, explains in detail the processes involved with successfully setting up Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in England. It remains available through Amazon.
He also gained a further four years’ experience of the planning system at a planning consultancy based in Winchester, working on a diverse variety of residential, commercial and agricultural projects of varying sizes.
James said: “I am extremely pleased to have joined such a progressive consultancy as KPPC and I am looking forward to using and continuing to develop my skill sets to ensure clients receive the second-to-none service for which the firm is famed.”
“I delight in achieving positive outcomes on behalf of clients, with a firm focus on overall strategies. To achieve this, I like to pay close attention to knowing and understanding the details, which often leads to delivering bespoke and innovative solutions.”
Outside work, James enjoys spending time on the water and holds an RYA day skipper licence. He also enjoys making the most of opportunities to travel and explore new places with his young family, taking in the culture, architecture and local cuisines.
KPPC serves clients across the south and nationwide, including property developers, land owners, affordable housing providers, pension fund managers, private individuals, householders and businesses.
