Experience

Tom is a Chartered Town Planner and an Urban Designer. He is a former Managing Partner of Frank L. Benson and Partners Planning Consultants, and formerly worked for the international firm of architects, Terry Farrell and Company, in London and for the Irish Architectural Archive.

Tom has extensive experience of all planning sectors gained throughout Ireland and overseas, and frequently operates as the “hands-on” lead consultant for the planning phase of projects for key public and private sector clients.

Tom is Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy in UCD, where he has lectured since 1993. Tom is also a Council Member (and former Chairman) of Property Industry Ireland; Managing Director of Redline Studios Limited and of Teepee Developments Limited; a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute; and a Fellow of the Irish Planning Institute.

Education

Master of Arts in Urban Design (1993) University of Westminster
Master of Regional and Urban Planning (1989) UCD
Bachelor of Arts (1986) UCD

Affiliations

Council Member (and former) Chairman of Property Industry Ireland
Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
Fellow of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

John Gannon graduated from University College Dublin with a Master of Regional and Urban Planning Degree, following a Bachelor of Science (Surveying) from Bolton Street D.I.T.
John was an Associate with Tom Phillips + Associates from its inception in April 2002 and was appointed as a Director in April 2007. He was formerly employed as a Senior Planning Consultant with Frank L. Benson and Partners, prior to its dissolution in 2002.

John has been involved in the provision of strategic planning advice; preparation and lodgement of planning applications and Environmental Impact Statements; development appraisals; rezoning submissions and planning appeals. He has also provided expert witness evidence at several CPO arbitrations, court cases and Oral Hearings. He is currently working on a number of large-scale projects including a number of significant commercial and residential developments in Dublin City and County and several major regeneration projects elsewhere in the Country.

Education

Master of Regional and Urban Planning (1998) UCD
Bachelor of Science (Surveying) (1995) Dublin Institute of Technology
Diploma in Property Economics (1995) Dublin Institute of Technology

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Gavin Lawlor graduated from University College Dublin with a Master of Regional and Urban Planning Degree, following a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from University College Dublin.

Gavin was an Associate with Tom Phillips + Associates at its inception in April 2002 and was appointed as a Director in April 2007. He was formerly employed as a Senior Planning Consultant with Frank L. Benson and Partners, prior to its dissolution in 2002.
Gavin graduated from University College Dublin with a Master of Regional and Urban Planning Degree, following a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from University College Dublin.

Gavin's experience covers a wide range of planning areas including forward planning (for example development plans, policy formation and regional plans), project development and evaluation. He also has extensive knowledge and experience of industrial sectors such as mining and quarrying, alternative and conventional energy (in particular wind farms) and waste management. Gavin also has particular experience of attending and leading project teams at An Bord Pleanála Oral Hearings, Compulsory Purchase Order Proceedings as well as giving evidence in defence of enforcement proceedings taken by Local Authorities and Third Parties in the High Court.

Education

Master of Regional and Urban Planning (1995) UCD
Bachelor of Social Science (1993) UCD

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Chairman of the Irish Wind Generation Association Planning Committee

Experience

Stephen joined the Practice in 2014, having previously worked in a senior role in the private sector. Stephen has experience in a range of project types including: the provision of strategic planning advice; the preparation and management of planning applications; planning appeals; Environmental Impact Assessments; feasibility studies; and submissions to Development Plans/Local Area Plans. He is responsible for large and small-scale developments within numerous sectors, such as Commercial/Office; Residential; Extractive and Waste; Renewable Energy and Biodiesel; Industrial Development; and Hotel and Tourism.

Education

BSc Spatial Planning (2004) Dublin Institute of Technology
Diploma Environmental Resources Management (2002) Dublin Institute of Technology

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Jerry is an experienced CIMA Qualified Financial Controller with a demonstrated history of working in planning/retail and franchise industries.He is also a strong accounting professional with a Masters focused in MIMAS from UCC.

Education

UCC BA (Hons) 2001
UCC MBS (MIMAS) 2003

Affiliations

CIMA 2007

Experience

Síne joined the Practice of TPA upon graduating from University College Dublin in 2005, with a Masters of Regional and Urban Planning, following completion of an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science, specialising in Landscape Horticulture (2003). Síne has developed an extensive understanding of all aspects of the planning industry throughout Ireland and has significant experience in preparing planning applications and supporting documentation for both small- and large-scale strategic projects, including residential, office, healthcare, student accommodation, education, hospitality, retail and industrial uses.

Síne also has significant experience in Planning Appeals, Planning and Development Site Appraisals, An Bord Pleanála Oral Hearing preparation, Socio-Economic Analyses, Planning Negotiations and in providing planning and urban design input into Masterplans. Síne has worked extensively with numerous varied organisations, including both private and public sector, Planning Authorities, An Bord Pleanála and semi-state bodies.

Education

Advanced Diploma in Project Management (2014) Dublin Business School
Master of Regional and Urban Planning (2005) UCD
Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Landscape Horticulture) (2003) UCD

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Affiliate Member of the Irish Landscape Institute

Experience

Julie joined the Practice in 2006 having completed a Masters in Regional and Urban Planning in UCD. She is a Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute. She has worked with a variety of Clients including private, public and semi-state bodies to deliver a wide range of projects across the country, including: residential; office/commercial; retail; industrial; waste facilities; education; healthcare/residential care and hotel/tourism developments.

Julie has experience in the coordination of all manner of Planning Applications, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, Planning Appeals, Site Development Appraisals, Masterplanning and Urban Design Schemes, Strategic Infrastructure Development and Substitute Consent Applications.

Education

Master of Regional and Urban Planning (2006) UCD
BA (Hons) Fine Art (2002) NCAD

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Laura joined the team at Tom Phillips + Associates, having previously worked for Marlet Property Group Ltd. as Senior Planning Manager. Laura commenced her Planning career in Fingal County Council as a graduate planner and then moved to the private sector becoming Director of Planning in KSA Planning Consultants. Laura has extensive experience managing various types of large-scale developments through the planning process.

Education

Bachelor of Town and Country Planning (1996) University of Newcastle-U-Tyne
Diploma EIA Management (2003) UCD

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Lizzie completed a Masters in Planning, Policy and Practice in 2014. She received a distinction and was awarded the RTPI Student Excellence award for academic achievement that year.

Having spent the first 5 years of her career in London working as a Local Authority Planner, Lizzie gained extensive experience in providing planning and design advice and assessment across a range of development proposals including residential developments, commercial office buildings, public realm projects, infrastructure projects, renovation and redevelopment of Listed Buildings (i.e. Protected Structures) and student accommodation schemes. As well as appearing as a Planning Expert Witness at a Public Inquiry (i.e oral hearing) in 2018, Lizzie has also been involved in the preparation of masterplans, development plans, tall building studies and the assessment of EIAR’s. In her last role in London, Lizzie was a Principal Planner at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and played an instrumental role in the delivery of large scale strategic housing developments and tall buildings.

Before joining the Practice in October 2019, Lizzie worked at Dublin Airport Authority as a Planner with a focus on the safeguarding of the airport from a safety and future expansion perspective. This included the preparation of observations on behalf of Dublin Airport to emerging policy documents and press releases. Since joining the Practice, Lizzie has worked on a range of planning applications within the residential and commercial sectors, in addition to site development appraisals and the preparation of First Party Appeal submissions.

Education

Masters in Planning, Policy and Practice (2014) London South Bank University
Bachelor of Geography (2010), Royal Holloway, University of London

Affiliations

Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

A skilled town planner, Brian has over 11 years of professional experience across both public and private sectors. He has worked on numerous planning projects throughout Ireland and Australia, and exhibits a broad range of strategic and statutory planning experience. Since joining Tom Phillips + Associates in early 2020, Brian has specialised in a diverse range of projects including airport planning, industrial, waste management, hospitality and residential related developments.

Through his work Brian has developed advanced skills in project management and negotiating with Planning Authorities and Key Stakeholders, as well as acting as an advocate, enabling an ability to identify and address potential issues at the early stages and avoid delays throughout the planning process. Brian’s experience also includes the preparation and delivery of Economic and Social Impact Assessments and Brian has a firm understanding of the land use economics behind delivering practical development outcomes. Brian has extensive experience managing multiple stakeholders and consulting with clients to achieve positive project outcomes.

Education

BSc in Spatial Planning (Hons), (2007) DIT

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Aoife worked with the firm for a period from 2016 to 2020, having previously worked as a planning consultant in the private sector at Senior and Associate level. Aoife re-joined the firm in late 2021, having worked as a Development Planning Manager with Coillte.

Aoife has gained significant experience in a wide range of projects including the provision of strategic planning advices, preparation and management of planning applications, planning appeals, development appraisals, feasibility studies, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports; submissions to County Development Plans, zoning and re-zoning submissions. The projects are across a range of sectors including large and small scale mixed use developments, residential, office/commercial, industrial, education, hotel/tourism developments, for private, semi-state and public Clients.

Education

Master of Regional and Urban Planning
University College Dublin – Conferred 2002

Bachelor of Art Geography
University College Dublin - Conferred 2000

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute
- 16 yrs

Experience

Órla completed a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development in 2013, in University College Cork. Having worked for a Planning Consultancy in Cork, Órla emigrated to the UK in 2014 to work for a property developer. In this role she provided planning and design advice across a range of development proposals including residential developments, large-scale heritage conservation projects and master-planning in both England and Scotland.

When Órla returned to Ireland in 2015, she worked as both the Environment Policy Executive in Ibec and later as the Planning and Infrastructure Policy Executive. This involved working with key stakeholders in Irish Government but also at the European-level in Brussels to represent the demands of Irish business in these sectors.

Órla has significant experience in the preparation and lodgement of Planning Applications, project management of design teams, preparation of Development Plan and re-zoning submissions, Oral Hearing attendance and liaison with local communities and stakeholders. Since joining the Practice in April 2018, Órla has worked on a range of planning applications within the residential and commercial sectors, as well as numerous projects for Government Departments and Semi-State Organisations, in addition to Site Development Appraisals and the preparation of First Party Appeal submissions. This experience includes several Strategic Housing Development applications in both Cork and the Dublin Region.

Education

Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (2013) UCC
Bachelor of Arts (Politics and English Joint Major) (2011) UCC

Affiliations

Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

Cheryl joined Tom Phillips + Associates Cork Office in 2021 as a Senior Planning Consultant having spent 7 years’ post-qualification working in other planning consultancy roles in the Irish private sector.

Cheryl has extensive experience in project managing multi-disciplinary design teams, providing strategic planning advice on various forms of development including large-scale residential development; purpose-built student accommodation; mixed-use town centre schemes; commercial/office developments; retail development; and renewable energy, specifically Solar Photovoltaic projects.

Cheryl also has experience in the preparation of Strategic Housing Development applications, strategic masterplans, first and third-party appeals, Section 5 declarations, planning appraisals, planning compliance and enforcement, planning policy submissions, community engagement, as well as the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Retail Impact Assessments.

Education

Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (2014) UCC
Bachelor of Social Science Degree (2005) UCC

Affiliations

Corporate member of the Irish Planning Institute
Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

Bernard graduated with a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development in 2014 and has worked in both public and private sector planning roles since. His undergraduate degree is in Computer Science and he spent 6 years working as an IT professional in Ireland and Canada before embarking on a career in town planning. He has extensive experience in preparation of planning applications, appeals, development plan submissions, site appraisals and research for clients across a range of sectors including residential, retail, industrial and public sectors.

While employed with Cork City Council, Bernard was involved at various times in the Planning Policy Section working on community engagement, urban regeneration and policy formation. He also worked with the forward planning section assessing planning applications and derelict sites files. More recently Bernard has worked in private consultancy in Cork and has played a lead role on a number of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) and other major projects in including the Horgan’s Quay regeneration in the Cork City North Docklands, Bandon Road and North Main Street, Cork Student accommodation schemes, expansion of Stryker Ireland operations in Carrigtwohill. Co. Cork and a variety of other projects.

Education

Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (2014) UCC
Bachelor of Computer Science (2006) UCC

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Orla joined Tom Philips + Associates in 2022 as a Senior Planner in the Cork Office.

Orla graduated from UCC in 2013 with a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development. She gained some experience in Cork before moving to London in 2014 where she worked in both the private and public sectors. Orla worked as a Planning Officer in Development Control in Wandsworth Borough Council in southwest London where she assessed planning applications for a range of project types and offered pre planning advice to applicants and agents.

In 2016, Orla returned to Ireland to work in a Planning Consultancy based in Cork. Over the last number of years, Orla has gained significant experience nationwide in the coordination and preparation of a variety of planning applications from small to large scale residential developments (including Strategic Housing Developments), commercial, industrial, healthcare, and retail projects.

Orla has managed and inputted to a number of Environmental Impact Assessments, and she is experienced in the preparation of Development Plan Submissions, Planning Compliance, Appeals and Site Appraisals.

Education

Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development, 2013, UCC
Bachelor of Arts (Geography and Politics), 2011, UCC

Affiliations

Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Linda completed a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development in 2013 and emigrated to Australia in 2014. In Australia, Linda worked as a Statutory Planner at Latrobe City Council for three and a half years, assessing a range of planning applications, for both public and private sectors. Linda was also responsible for facilitating negotiations through the planning process and providing accurate planning advice to developers, stakeholders, and members of the general public.

Linda returned to Ireland in April 2019 to work as a Planning Consultant and joined the Practice in October 2019. Since that time, Linda has prepared and lodged a range of Planning Applications as well as site development appraisals, First Party Appeal submissions, Section 5 Submissions, Development Plan Submissions and other Planning Opinions.

Education

Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (2013) UCC
Bachelor of Arts (2012) UCC

Affiliations

Member of the Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Senan joined Tom Philips + Associates in 2022 as an Executive Planner in the Cork Office. Senan graduated with a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development in 2013 and has since gained experience in Ireland, Scotland and England in both the public and private sectors. He has worked in a variety of teams to include: multi-disciplinary environmental and energy; conservation and heritage; and planning policy. Senan has most recently been employed as a Senior Planning Officer in the Strategic Applications Team at the London Borough of Lambeth where he gained significant experience in mixed-use residential-led applications, estate regeneration applications, large scale events applications, and commercial applications.

Education

Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development, 2013, UCC
Bachelor of Arts (Single Honours in Politics), 2011, UCC

Affiliations

Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

Hugh completed his Undergraduate Degree in Geography Planning & Environmental Policy in 2019 and more recently pursued a Masters in Urban Design and Planning in University College Dublin. He joined TPA as a Graduate Planner in Autumn 2020, during which time he has worked on a variety of large- and small-scale residential and commercial projects.

Education

Master of Science in Urban Design & Planning (2020) UCD
Bachelor of Arts in Geography Planning & Environmental Policy (2019) UCD

Affiliations

Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

Experience

Laura has recently completed the Masters in Regional and Urban Planning in University College Dublin, having previously gained an undergraduate degree in Geography and Linguistics from the same university in 2019. She joined TPA in January 2021 as an intern and has recently been confirmed as a graduate planner within the company.

Laura has gained a range of experience through her time in the company, particularly in relation to rezoning submissions and Strategic Housing Development applications.

Education

Master of Regional and Urban Planning (2021) UCD
Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours) Geography and Linguistics (2019) UCD

Affiliations

Student Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Student Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

Tomás has recently completed his Master in Regional and Urban Planning in University College Dublin. He previously obtained a Masters in Geography (Environment, Society and Development) and a Bachelor of Arts (History, Sociology and Political Science) from National University of Ireland, Galway.
Tomás joined TPA as an intern in February 2022 and is in the position of graduate planner since May 2022.

Education

Masters Regional and Urban Planning (2022) UCD
Masters Environment, Society and Development (2017) NUIG
Bachelor of Arts (2015) NUIG

Affiliations

Student member of the Irish Planning Institute
Student member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

Colin has recently completed the Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development in University College Cork, having previously completed an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Arts (Drama and Theatre Studies and Geography) in the same university. He joined TPA in June 2022, starting his planning career with the practice as a Graduate Planner, having worked on planning research and planning applications, as well as offering assistance in the preparation of other planning documents. He looks forward to building his experience in the Irish Planning industry and career with TPA.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Drama and Theatre Studies and Geography), UCC (2014)
Masters of Planning and Sustainable Development, UCC (2022)

Affiliations

Student Royal Town Planning Institute
Student Irish Planning Institute

Experience

Coman is currently undertaking a Masters in Regional & Urban Planning in University College Dublin, working part time in a planning internship position as he completes his thesis. Prior to this, Coman completed an undergraduate degree in City Planning and Environmental Policy from the same university in 2021. Coman joined TPA in May 2022, and is looking forward to gaining valuable insights into the Irish planning system and building a career with TPA.

Education

Master of Regional and Urban Planning (2022) UCD
Bachelor of Science in City Planning & Environmental Policy (2021) UCD

Affiliations

Student Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Student Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Experience

Lucy is currently completing a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development in University College Cork, having previously gained an undergraduate degree in Geography and Sociology from the same university in 2019. Lucy joined the Cork Office in June 2022 on a summer internship and is looking forward to gaining valuable insight into the Irish Planning System.

Education

Master of Planning and Sustainable Development (2023) UCC (ongoing)
Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours) Geography and Sociology (2019) UCC

Affiliations

Student Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Student Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute