Assistant planner, Nick Withers has joined the award-winning team at specialist urban planning consultancy, Hybrid Planning & Development.
A Licentiate Member of the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute), Nick joins Hybrid from Fisher German LLP, where he worked as a graduate planner following the completion of his MSc in Urban Planning from Sheffield Hallam University.
“I was looking to move to a firm where I would have more responsibility, the chance to manage my own projects and good opportunities for career progression,” explains Nick. “I’d seen Hybrid nominated for various awards recently, so they were obviously a company making a positive impact and excelling in the sector. After some initial research, I also discovered they’re specialists in urban, mixed-use developments and this was one of the topics I most enjoyed during my Masters, particularly learning how to tackle the problems many cites face addressing the housing crisis and providing thoughtful, sustainable places. This made the role more appealing, so I applied and am happy to now be part of the team.”
Nick is being mentored by Hybrid’s senior planner, Aaron Henecke, and is currently working on a mix of residential and commercial schemes, including the sensitive regeneration of a listed public house into residential apartments.
Nick added: “A career in planning appeals to my passion for problem solving; I enjoy imagining new places and spaces and then establishing how these will provide important amenities for communities.”
Nick’s appointment takes the Hybrid team to 12 and follows on from those of senior planners, Has Ikram and Sophie Hardy earlier this year. Hybrid’s director, Danielle St Pierre MRTPI said: “The property sector has been resilient throughout the pandemic, and with changes to the planning system providing more opportunities to regenerate and re-imagine our towns and cities, the appetite for development remains strong. It’s therefore important that we attract and nurture new talent, so we are pleased to welcome Nick who has fitted into the team seamlessly.”
Originally from Shropshire, Nick currently lives in Bedford but is relocating to East London. Outside of work, he is a sports fan and plays both cricket and golf.
