Rtpi Chartered
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Meet the Team

The team at PWA Planning combines extensive planning, environmental, and sector-specific expertise to support complex developments across the UK. Our professionals work collaboratively to deliver practical, evidence-led solutions for projects of all sizes and sectors.

Team

Paul Walton

Director

Paul is a Chartered Town Planner with 30 years’ experience working as a professional planning consultant within the private sector.

Stella Walton

Director

Before setting up PWA Planning with Paul in 2013, Stella had over 25 years’ experience working as a professional transport engineer both in the private and public sectors of the building industry.

Edel Barr

PA

Edel provides a full secretarial service to the directors and looks after new enquiries, customer satisfaction activity, social media activity and general office management.

Dan Hughes

Planning Director

Dan has been with PWA Planning since 2014 in which time he built up a broad range of sector experience including housing, commercial and industrial and sports and leisure projects.

Louise Leyland

Director

Louise’s specialisms within planning include energy, residential and commercial, particularly managing large-scale development proposals, including those requiring Environmental Impact Assessment. She also has significant experience dealing with applications for green belt sites.

Paul Forshaw

Director

As Director of our Manchester office, Paul has planning experience across residential, commercial and strategic land promotion, with a focus on industrial projects and National Strategic Infrastructure planning.

Graeme Thorpe

Associate

Graeme spent 15 years in senior local authority planning roles and a further two years in private practice before joining PWA Planning in 2020.

Matthew Wyatt

Associate

Matthew plays a lead role in managing planning applications and appeals for major housing and commercial and industrial developments.

Andrew Corrin

Associate

Andrew has extensive experience across various planning sectors, with a particular focus on renewable energy projects such as solar farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Based in the Manchester office.

Ed James

Senior Planner

Ed joined PWA as Senior Planner in November 2023, following four years at Savills. He is based in our Manchester office and supports the planning team working on both residential and commercial projects, as well as large-scale developments.

Catherine Johns

Senior Planner

Catherine re-joined the PWA team in November 2025 and supports the planning team working on both residential and commercial projects, as well as large-scale developments.

Lauren Taylor

Planner

Lauren brings valuable experience in renewable energy applications and planning appeals. Her work supports a wide variety of projects, and she is particularly interested in sustainable development and energy planning.

Based in the Manchester office.

Lydia Gallagher

Planner

Lydia is a fully Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) with a First Class Master’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning (MPlan) and a strong track record in residential, commercial, and agricultural developments.

Charlotte Downing

Assistant Planner

Charlotte recently completed a Master’s degree in City Planning and Real Estate Development at the University of Glasgow, accredited by both the RTPI and RICS. She has particular interests in sustainable development, energy planning, and financial viability.

Based in the Manchester office.

Jack Wilkes

Assistant Planner

Jack is an Assistant Planner with a BSc in Real Estate and an RTPI and RICS-accredited MSc in Planning from the University of Manchester. His academic work included research into England’s new build towns, which developed his interest in housing delivery and infrastructure.

Rico Man

Assistant Planner

Rico supports PWA Planning’s energy planning division, working to secure planning for a variety of renewable energy projects including battery energy storage systems and solar schemes.

Anjna Mistry

Head of Finance

Anjna joined the PWA team in August 2023 and works closely with the Finance Director to ensure business processes, administration, and financial management are kept up to date.

Ciara McDonagh

Senior Accounts Assistant

Ciara joined PWA in April 2025 as part of the finance team. She plays an essential role in supporting the team’s daily accounting operations, helping to maintain accurate financial records and contributing to the preparation of financial reports.

George Beesley

Accounts Assistant

George joined PWA in November 2024 and works closely with the finance team to support daily accounting operations and maintain accurate bookkeeping.

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