Who Are We?
Steve Barker
Steve Barker (Managing Director) has worked across many authorities in the north east, including Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool, North York Moors National Park and York City Council. He has also worked in the Environment Agency and brings a wide background to bear on planning problems. Steve worked in the public sector for around 20 years before moving into the private sector which means he has an in depth understanding of the way in which the system works and the role of officers and local politicians. Before creating Prism, Steve headed up the planning team at BHP’s Darlington office.
Rod Hepplewhite
Rod Hepplewhite is a Director at Prism and also gained a substantial public sector background in the North East. He has special expertise in the submission of planning appeals and inquiries, has an impressive success rate as an expert witness, and has led on a number of EIA related projects. Since moving to the private sector, Rod has helped support a number of planning authorities with their workloads and has a particular interest and expertise in renewable energy.
Jonathan Helmn
Jonathan Helmn is a Planning Consultant skilled in collaborative and multidisciplinary working, problem solving, policy analysis and project management. He is able to offer clients a comprehensive and professional planning service through advice and guidance on planning related matters. He has also recently been elected as a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Ellie Drozdowska
Ellie is a Graduate Student and the newest member of Prism. She carries out research tasks for applications relating to 5 year housing supply, a crucial issue in the planning industry.
As a result of her studies she is up to date with the most recent planning law. She also writes planning objections and assists with applications. She quickly becoming a valuable member of the team.
Alison Baines
Alison Baines keeps the team in check as Office Manager. Alison is also an experienced planning researcher and understands her way around the workings of a planning department – an important person to have when trying to assemble a complicated site history.