Meet the team

We’re a team of experienced and passionate town planners

At Zesta we recognise that the planning process is often seen as complex and confusing. Zesta can provide a clear and concise approach to help navigate you through the process. We are commercially minded and understand the importance of achieving the right solution to fulfil your objectives.

Whether you’re a large company or an individual, we’re committed to providing you with the same high-quality service. We operate regionally as well as nationwide and have a good working relationship with local authorities. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your planning and development requirements.

The Team

Oliver Rider MSc MRTPI

Director

Oliver has over 20 years experience in planning for housing, commercial, care, major infrastructure, agriculture and developments within Green Belt’s and AONBs.

Oliver’s client portfolio includes looking after the planning and development needs of a regional airport, historic estates, housing developments, large businesses, as well as smaller private developers and landowners.

Contact Oliver on: 
t: 01242 335 544
m: 07817 903 943
e: oliver@zestaplanning.co.uk

James Griffin MA MRTPI

Director

James is a chartered town planner, his 17 years of experience spans all sectors including commercial and residential development, rural and land promotion. He has led at all appeal types including acting as expert witness at Planning Inquiries.

His key areas of work have been large scale business parks, commercial development, extensive heritage projects, town centre regeneration schemes and new build care village development.

Contact James on:
t: 01242 335 567
m: 07841 707 062
e: james@zestaplanning.co.uk

Rob Ellis MA MRTPI

Director

Rob is a highly experienced chartered town planner, having worked several roles within local planning authority, to large multi-disciplinary and smaller private consultancies. More recently, alongside running his own planning consultancy, whilst working in the construction industry, as Development Director at a UK-wide construction company.

He has an in-depth knowledge on all aspects of the development process from initial site assessments to practical completion on site, covering all sectors from residential and commercial, to leisure and rural development.

Contact Rob on:
t: 01242 896 566
m: 07736 936108
e: 
rob@zestaplanning.co.uk

John Hinett BSc Dip TP MRTPI

Associate Director

John is a chartered Town Planner with over 20 years of local authority experience in development management.  Before joining Zesta Planning John worked at a busy Gloucestershire Local Authority as Development Management Team Leader.  Prior to this he worked in senior roles in development management and within planning enforcement.

John has extensive experience dealing with a wide range of development proposals including large-scale residential schemes, flood alleviation schemes, commercial developments, solar farms, barn conversions, farm diversification projects, changes of use and works to listed buildings.

He also has an in-depth knowledge of planning policy and an understanding of many of the constraints affecting rural areas, including the Green Belt and AONBs. 

Contact John on:
t: 01242 896 568
e: 
john@zestaplanning.co.uk

Matt Tyas MSc MRTPI

Principal Planner

Matt has significant local authority experience in both plan making and development management.  Matt joined Zesta Planning from Tewkesbury Borough Council where he worked as a Senior Planning Policy Officer and played a lead role on the production of the Tewkesbury Borough Plan from its inception through to its examination in public.
Matt previously worked as a Senior Planning Officer within the Development Management Team at Tewkesbury Borough Council where he dealt with a range of major and other complex planning applications including proposals for new housing on greenfield sites.  Matt’s other roles include working as a statutory consultee at the Environment Agency advising LPAs and developers on flood risk and water environment related issues.

Matt specialises in land promotion, policy development, housing land supply, rural housing, Green Belt and environmental matters including flood risk and water management, green infrastructure, habitats sites and biodiversity.  

Contact Matt on:
t: 01242 896 096
e: matt@zestaplanning.co.uk

Hannah Rose MA

Senior Planner

Hannah has worked in Planning since 2013 after gaining her Masters degree in Urban Planning from the University of West of England.

Prior to joining Zesta, Hannah gained ten years of local authority experience in development management and has developed invaluable experience dealing with applications and appeals for a wide range of development proposals including large-scale residential and commercial schemes as well as development proposals involving historic buildings and rural housing and enterprises.

She has in-depth understanding of the many constraints affecting housing in rural areas, including landscape character and AONBs.

 

Contact Hannah on:
t: 01242 335 574

e: 
hannah@zestaplanning.co.uk

Andy Powick MSc

Senior Planner

Andy has been in Planning since 2010, gaining his Masters in Urban Planning, and began working within Local Authority, initially in Planning Enforcement and later as a Town Planner. He moved to Gloucester City Council taking on a role as a Planning Enforcement Officer in 2014. Andy has since worked in Private Sector gaining invaluable experience along all spectrums of the planning process.

Andy has gained much experience across development management, planning enforcement and planning appeals, being involved in a wide variety of projects predominantly covering residential, commercial and rural developments. ​ Some of the key projects he has been involved in include, a large commercial extension, town centre apartment scheme, major rural housing development, new truck stop facility, and a student accommodation block.

Contact Andy on:
t: 01242 896 569
e: andy@zestaplanning.co.uk

Kelly Prosser MSc MRTPI

Senior Planner

Kelly has been working in Planning since 2019 with experience in Public Sector Planning (Development Management). After gaining her Masters in Urban Regeneration and Development from The University of Manchester, she began working within Local Authority for Cotswold District Council as a Planning Case Officer.

Kelly has gained considerable experience within development management and planning appeals across a varied range of residential, commercial and rural development.

Contact Kelly on
t: 01242 
896 570
e: 
kelly@zestaplanning.co.uk

Emily Brookes BSc MSc

Senior Planner

Emily has been working in Planning since 2020 after gaining her Undergraduate Degree in Urban Planning and a Masters in Planning Major Projects at the University of the West of England. She began working within the development management team at Herefordshire Council as a Planning Officer, later being promoted to Senior Planning Officer.

Emily has much experience across development management being involved in a wide variety of projects predominantly covering residential, commercial and rural developments.

 

Contact Emily on:
t: 01242 335 544
e: 
emily@zestaplanning.co.uk

Kessia Rider BA (Hons)

Operations Manager

Kessia has worked for some large companies, across Insurance and Retail Sectors in various Sales Development and Marketing Roles. Within Zesta Planning she is responsible for all aspects of Accounts, Marketing and Business Operations.

She brings her varied experience to the role, to ensure a smooth running business supporting the Planners, to ensure the Clients receive the service they expect. Kessia is able to deal with any queries you may have around your account.

Contact Kessia on
t: 01242 335 544

e: 
kessia@zestaplanning.co.uk

 

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