About Planit Consulting | Town Planning Experts Godalming

Ketan Patole

Architectural Technician

Ketan is an Architectural Technician with over 6 years of professional experience in architectural design and residential development projects across the UK and India. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from India and a Master’s degree in Spatial Planning and Development from the University of Reading, UK.

Ketan joined Planit Consulting in October 2024 and works closely with the planning team to support planning applications for a range of residential projects, mainly within the Surrey region. His work includes producing planning drawing packages and assisting with supporting documentation for permitted development schemes, householder extensions, conversions and full planning applications. He has also contributed to pre-application proposals for larger residential schemes and masterplans.

He combines technical drawing skills with an understanding of planning policy and development processes, enabling him to support projects from early design stages through to planning submission.

Tim Dawes

Planning Director RTPI

Tim is a qualified member of the Royal Town and Planning Institute and has significant Local Authority experience at a senior level.

His first Local Authority job was with Eden District Council in the Lake District, then Wealden District Council in Sussex, followed by 5 years with two Berkshire Authorities and then over 20 years with Guildford Borough Council in Surrey encompassing 4 roles. His most recent position was as Head of Place, managing Development Management, Building Control and Land Charges.

His strengths are communication, mediation, and the ability to find a way through. He is comfortable dealing with the larger more complex schemes and appeals.

In 2021 Tim joined the team at Planit as Director of Planning and brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of the local area and processes.

Janet Long

Owner and Director RTPI

Janet is a qualified Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has worked both as a Local Government Officer and as a consultant in private practice for many years.

Her early years as a professional planner were spent in London where she worked for a number of specialist planning consultancies and an architectural practice. After a spell of 6 years with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham she moved to Surrey and worked for a short period with Guildford Borough Council to gain experience in Green Belt and Countryside/rural planning.

Janet set up Planit Consulting in November 2006 to provide specialist planning services. Over the years Janet has established a network of specialist consultants including legal advisors, architects, highway engineers, structural engineers and designers.

Ben Mitchell

Associate Director RTPI

Ben joined Planit Consulting in July 2023 as a Senior Planner. Over the 4 years prior to joining the team, he worked as a Planning Officer for Guildford Borough Council and within the Heritage and Design Team at Waverley Borough Council.

He has a degree in Geography from the University of Nottingham, a Masters in Spatial Planning from University College London and has recently become a chartered Town Planner of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Ben developed his experience dealing with a significant number of applications during his time as a Planning Officer. In this, he dealt with Lawful Development Certificates all the way through to major developments. These included applications within many sensitive areas including Green Belt, AONB, town centres and conservation areas. Further, his time at Waverley has provided him with a strong working knowledge of heritage and design within planning, often providing advice and assessments for listed buildings and other heritage designations.

Sophie Sherman

Office Manager

Sophie joined Planit in April 2021 and has since played a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the business.

As the first point of contact for clients and new enquiries, she provides a professional and welcoming presence at the centre of the office. Her responsibilities span a wide range of functions, including Health and Safety, IT coordination, accounts administration and front-of-house communications.

Sophie’s attention to detail and organisational skills enable her to support the wider Planit team effectively, ensuring that day-to-day operations run seamlessly and that nothing is overlooked.

ALEXANDER CAMERON BSc (hons) BArch

Architectural Consultant

Alex joined Planit in 2022 as an Architectural Consultant with over 20 years professional experience across Architecture, Residential Masterplanning, Urban Design and Interiors with Architectural and multi-disciplinary design firms in London and the South East.

Alex leads the in-house architectural design and drawing package production, working collaboratively with our Planning Consultants to deliver coordinated planning and design strategy.

Day to day he conducts property appraisals and building surveys, develops design solutions for new builds, extensions, conversions, residential masterplans and filming applications, and produces detailed planning drawings.

Alex’s sensitive and informed approach to design, strategic thinking and market awareness mean that he has been instrumental in securing planning approval for developments on several sensitive Green Belt and National Landscape (AONB) sites. His UK work has included high profile projects for The National Trust, RHS Wisley, The Sandringham Estate, major housing developers and celebrity clients.

Laura Bush

Office Assistant

Laura joined Planit in July 2022 with a background in property management, recruitment and administration.

Laura helps support the Office Manager in the smooth running of the office offering admin support to Planit Consultants and is a first point of contact for clients and new business, answering calls and dealing with emails

Jo Dawes

Senior Planner

Jo is a qualified member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has significant Local Authority experience at senior planner level.

Jo started her Town Planning career at Wealden District Council and then in 1999 moved to Waverley Borough Council where she joined and remained with the development management team for the last 24 years.

Her strengths are an extremely broad knowledge of Green Belt and countryside policies and a very clear understanding as to what is achievable and realistic.

Jo joined the team at Planit Consulting in September 2023 and brings with her a wealth and depth of knowledge to the team.

Jenna Balls

Planning Assistant

Jenna is a recent Geography graduate from Royal Holloway University of London, who has experience in private planning consultancy. She started her career at Gillings Planning where she had worked on projects in sectors including residential, care, education, and commercial, and was involved in planning applications, appraisals, community engagement, and writing a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

She joined the team at Planit as a Planning Assistant in October 2024 where her recent studies give her a relevant and fresh perspective to projects.

Jenna is planning to continue her education and become a Chartered Planner under the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Julia Kapciak

Senior Planner

Julia joined Planit Consulting in June 2025, bringing with her extensive experience within Local Planning Authorities, having previously held Planning Officer roles at both Guildford Borough Council and Nottingham City Council.

She holds a combined Honours degree in History, Politics, and Russian from the University of Nottingham and is currently pursuing a Master's in Chartered Town Planning at London South Bank University. Through this, she is also working towards accreditation with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Julia’s professional background spans a broad range of planning contexts, having gained experience in both high-density urban environments and Countryside/rural settings, including the Green Belt and countryside areas. She has successfully managed a wide variety of planning applications, from Lawful Development Certificates to minor residential, commercial, and heritage schemes. Many of these applications have been situated in sensitive locations such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, town centres, Green Belt land, Article 4’s HMOs and student accommodation saturation, and conservation areas.

Gary Stevens

Planning Director RTPI

Gary is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute with over 20 years’ experience in both the public and private sectors. He spent 8 years at Guildford, Elmbridge and Waverley Borough Councils, gaining insight into local authority processes and working on a wide range of schemes, including infill and back land developments, commercial projects, countryside planning and domestic extensions.

Since moving into private consultancy in 2013, Gary has worked with major national and regional housebuilders, local authorities, registered providers and local developers through roles at well-known national planning consultancy, Barton Willmore, and later, global development consultancy, Stantec.

He has a strong interest in urban renewal and estate regeneration projects, and his experience includes office schemes, tall buildings, retirement living projects, strategic site promotions and smaller residential developments. Gary regularly leads multi-disciplinary teams, collaborates with industry specialists and has extensive experience across all forms of planning appeals, including giving expert evidence at public inquiries.

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