2020 has been an unusual year, It started off terribly in house and it continues to be a difficult year for all.

Here at the office, work schedules have been high through Lockdown I. We have of course been locally Locked-down here in Conwy for a couple of weeks and we expect a winter of “circuit breakers” quite probably starting this week.

Despite that, work programmes remain very high- such is the demand for our brand of planning consultancy - with forward work stretching well into 2021. We have quoted on 5 major projects in the last 10 days alone. Expected LDP Examination in Flintshire and Replacement LDP’s for both Denbighshire and Conwy LPA’s will be new work streams too. Despite the uncertain economic times ahead, there is not a shred of doubt that planning will be absolutely essential to recovery. The Practice has also signed up the Wales Placemaking Charter as we look to ensure we steer clients proposals along the path to success and n the direction of Future Wales 2040 - the National Plan expected late winter 2021.

This October sees four projects shifting from preparation and pre-planning phases into planning applications. It is always good to see babies “fly the nest”. That also causes a moment of reflection - in common with most people since March.

New ways of working have freed up time - especially with travel, an overlooked inevitability of the geography of North Wales. Time on the road has reduced by approximately 8-10 hours a week. Rarely chargeable and often “dead” time to clients or the business. Rather than fill that time with work - which we could easily do- the business is shifting to a 4 day week.

The benefits of 4 day working are well researched and documented. In truth it’s suspected you wont especially notice on a practical level. Pete may be more cheerful than ever :).

We were going to start it from November, but in the spirit of the approach, the office will be closed every Friday starting 23 October 2020. It will be trialled until Christmas. In the way of all things planning we will monitor the effect and review then.

Thanks as ever for your support