Cassidy + Ashton’s Ben is recognised by an RTPI prestigious award for his planning expertise
Ben Thornley, from our Chester office, has received a commended award in the Young Planner of the Year category in the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North West Awards for Planning Excellence 2022.
Ben, who joined Cassidy + Ashton in 2018, has a wide range of experience and specialises in obtaining planning permission for developments in the green belt. He has also developed a niche skill focussing on the development of specialist retirement accommodation, both in rural and urban settings.
Alongside the planning team in Chester, he is currently working on several town planning projects including the planning of apartments on Eastgate Street Row in Chester’s historic city centre as well as Eaton Hotel’s extension and refurbishment plans on its City Road.
He also works extensively with our business partners who utilise his planning knowledge to help progress their schemes.
Guy Evans, director at Cassidy + Ashton’s Chester office said: “Ben’s commendation in the RTPI awards in recognition of his work as a town planner is a great accolade to both him and the practice. I am delighted to have played a part in Ben’s progression to the professional planner he is today, and the role he plays in supporting the A+ service that Cassidy +Ashton delivers to our clients.”
When Ben’s not busy in the office, he is still a keen planning advocate and has appeared as a regular part of the Planning in Practice module at the University of Liverpool as well as presenting at a local high school and professional events to promote the planning profession.
On receiving the commendation, he said: “I am very proud to have reached the final three in the Young Planner of the Year category at the RTPI North West awards. I am even prouder to have been given a commendation.
“Working at Cassidy + Ashton provides me with the opportunity to flourish in my career and towards a great future as a town planner. As part of its planning team, we make a positive contribution to the quality of environments where people live, work, learn and play.”
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding plans, projects and people that demonstrate the power of planning. These awards highlight exceptional examples of how planning and planners have a positive impact on our quality of life in creating exceptional places and protecting our environment.
The North West winners were announced at the RTPI NW Annual Dinner on Friday June 24, 2022 at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester.
