James Blake has joined Ken Parke Planning Consultants as an Associate Planning Consultant.
Published: September 11, 2023 | Updated: 27th October 2023
Bournemouth-based planning consultancy Ken Parke Planning Consultants (KPPC) has hired chartered town planner James Blake.
James, who joins from Winchester’s Pro Vision where he held the role of Senior Planner, has been appointed following sustained business demand at the firm.
At KPPC he will be charged with working on new projects, building relationships and working with clients to help them achieve their outcomes while navigating the planning system.
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, who joins KPPC’s team of eight, 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).
He is starting a further MSc degree with UWE in Real Estate Finance and Investment.
A member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), he 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.
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