STAT Planning's Associate Planner, Jessica Hird, has been featured by Architecture Today as part of its "Tomorrow's Clients at UKREiiF" series, sharing her thoughts on planning, collaboration and the future of the profession.
In the interview, Jessica discusses what differentiates planning applications that progress smoothly from those that encounter difficulties, highlighting the importance of understanding policy, responding to local context and engaging meaningfully with stakeholders from the outset.
Jessica also explores the relationship between planners and architects, emphasising the value of early collaboration and multidisciplinary working. She notes that the strongest projects are those where planning strategy and design ambition are developed together, ensuring schemes are both deliverable and responsive to their surroundings.
Asked about the biggest challenge when working with design teams, Jessica identified a lack of collaboration as a key concern, stressing that the best outcomes are achieved when all disciplines work together towards a shared goal.
The interview also provided an opportunity to discuss Jessica's passion for the planning profession and her commitment to encouraging more young people to consider a career in town planning. As planning continues to play a critical role in shaping communities, Jessica believes it is vital to raise awareness of the profession and inspire the next generation of planners.
Alongside supporting the continued growth of STAT Planning across the East Midlands, Jessica remains passionate about promoting planning as a rewarding and influential career path.
We are delighted to see Jessica recognised by Architecture Today and look forward to continuing to contribute to important industry conversations at UKREiiF and beyond.