Sam Metson
Partner, Planning
Sam delivers practical solutions to his clients, balancing competing demands between the need for development and its impact upon the environment.
Sam delivers practical solutions to his clients, balancing competing demands between the need for development and its impact upon the environment.
With a wealth of project experience in Essex, Suffolk and outer-London, Sam works on residential, commercial, mixed-use developments and greenbelt sites. He recognises the rising demand for sustainable and innovative developments to take centre stage within the property industry, catering his advice to ensure his clients' developments lead the way.
Using his experience as a town planner, Sam leads the preparation and negotiation of major planning applications, the promotion of sites through the development plan process and advises his clients on planning strategy.
He thrives off the people-based nature of the sector, delivering local outcomes that benefit local communities, but also enjoys a constructive working relationship with local planning authorities across the region.
Involved in almost every aspect of planning as a profession, Sam is a Chartered Member of the RTPI and a Practitioner Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. More recently, he has been sitting on the Regional Activities Committee for the RTPI East of England.
Awards:
RTPI Planning Awards 2019
Accreditations
Essex Local Plan Watch - Autumn 2022
Essex Local Plan Watch - Spring 2022
A more beautiful National Planning Policy Framework?
A revised National Planning Policy Framework was published yesterday with the aim of putting ‘beauty’ at the heart of the English planning system. It was accompanied by the launch of a new National Model Design Code and ‘Office for Place’ within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. These changes follow the new National Design Guide introduced in January. Sam Metson, Planning Partner explains what the revised NPPF means for planners, developers and promoters.
Essex Local Plan Watch - Spring 2021
Four more authorities in Essex have adopted up-to-date strategic Local Plan policies since our Autumn Local Plan Watch, bringing the total with up-to-date plans to five out of 14 authorities in the county. A number of other emerging Plans are at an advanced stage, but Uttlesford, Thurrock, Rochford and Southend are notable exceptions to plan-making progress.
Essex Local Plan Watch - Autumn 2020
Emerging local plans are now at an advanced stage across the majority of Essex, with a few notable exceptions. However, many of the draft plans are being examined against the requirements of the 2012 NPPF and will require early review to address the current standard housing need methodology, or its replacement if confirmed by the Government. This will provide widespread opportunity across the county. The proposed changes to the Government’s standard methodology would increase development requirements across the majority of Essex, with particularly significant increases in Chelmsford, Maldon, Colchester and Uttlesford, as shown on our annotated map.
Essex Local Plan Watch - Spring 2020
Our Planning team constantly monitor the activities of local planning authorities in Essex to identify opportunities for clients. March's update provides an insight to latest local plans coming forward across the region.
Bidwells breaks into top 15 of UK planning consultancy league table
Bidwells has shot up Planning Magazine’s consultancy rankings to become the 15th largest team of chartered planners in the UK. The news comes soon after Bidwells made four promotions in its senior team to support its growing client base within the Cambridge to Oxford Growth Corridor.
Launch of New Essex Design Guide
The Essex Design Guide has been updated and relaunched for the first time in thirteen years. Bidwells summarises the important updates that could affect you.
The regeneration of derelict land to provide premium housing in the East of England
Strategic Green Belt land release in Redbridge
A flagship project for Chelmsford’s city centre regeneration
The revitalisation of a historic country club
