Director Urban Design: Jon leads the Urban Design team and is currently completing a major housing market renewal urban planning study for a SPV client (comprising of English Partnerships, EMDA and two local authorities). The project (which was formally launched by John Prescott in Autumn 2003) is seen as a prototype exploring much of the ground that the Pathfinders are now seeking to cover. The study area covers much of the former North Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire coalfields where the influence of private sector landlords within former colliery settlements has led to degraded environments, anti-social behaviour and a dysfunctional residential property market. Proposals have sought to reconcile the commercial needs of house builders, project finances and development economics with the social and policy needs of existing communities, the local authorities and locally active housing associations.
Jon has formulated physical proposals and action plans for housing dominated masterplans at Top Valley, Nottingham and for the All Saints area of Wolverhampton. Jon has been responsible for the delivery of a wide range complex masterplanning and urban design studies for public and private sector clients throughout the UK. Recent successfully completed masterplans for industrial and mixed use areas facing change include those for Nottingham Eastside, the Druid Quarter, Hinckley and the Upper Don Valley, Sheffield. Recent work has also included feasibility studies, urban design guidance, waterside strategies, design statements, urban design audits, development briefs and planning weekends. Prior to joining LA: UD Jon was responsible for running a number of commercial urban regeneration and urban design projects throughout the UK including the £15.2m Mermaid Quay development in Cardiff Bay with Benoy.
Jon spent several years working with Community Land Use, a Whitechapel based community architecture and landscape practice, where he ran a large number of projects including the Caxton Community Centre, Bow; the Ensign Youth Club, Wapping and The Berner Community Centre, Stepney.
