Happy 21st Birthday!

A Legacy of People Friendly Places

Our story doesn’t just begin in 2003 – it goes all the way back to the mid-1970s with Francis Tibbalds and others who laid the foundation for the urban design and planning principles that guide us today. They remain as relevant now as ever as we see an emerging re-focus on new towns and good growth.

For us, the real turning point came 21 years ago, when Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design was created, taking on the Tibbalds name and legacy. From day one, our focus has been on seeing planning and urban design as indivisible, as key and intrinsically linked elements of how we make good places including how they work socially, how they respect the planet and how they will support and meet the needs of those they are created for. The leadership of the founding director team, Hilary Satchwell, Jennifer Ross, Jane Dann and Sue Rowlands, alongside the late Andy Karski, shaped the direction of this new practice and allowed us to build something special.

Many people have been part of this journey and we have a lot to thank them for. Their care, passion and direction have driven our collaborative approach, where we seek to creatively solve challenging problems to support the delivery of quality buildings and places. It has not always been easy – and there have been some robust discussions on the way. But a positive approach to planning from strategy to delivery, alongside a careful understanding of the places we work, and supporting communities has always been central to our success. In this busy world, we should pause for a moment and celebrate it.

Projects and Challenges: Our Journey So Far

In fact, the past two decades have been full of both challenges and opportunities. We’ve seen countless planning reforms, changes in regulations and increasing complexity, but our core belief has stayed the same. We've always been committed to creating places that work for people and communities, not just in a technical sense but in a way that makes a real difference to people’s daily lives and opportunities.

Key areas of expertise and experience have come in and out of fashion – but more than 25 years of design coding and guidance, creating new settlements and new towns means we know not only how to plan and design but to deliver, overcoming many obstacles along the way. We remain committed to development that is well located and sustainable. Joining up with other organisations, we have contributed to best practice and helped to shape the agenda for planning policy and guidance at central Government, regional and local levels. We have a strong track record in urban regeneration and town centre projects, we've partnered with communities on Neighbourhood Plans and we've built up expertise in many other areas.

Clear highlights range from projects like the Elephant and Castle Development Framework, Northstowe – the largest new town since Milton Keynes, The National Design Guide and The Bourne Estate Regeneration in Camden. There is a long and varied list of projects and roles we have had during this time but always with a consistent focus on people, place and planet.

Working across the public, private and third sectors is important – it underpins the wide range of work we do. Others say that our honesty and integrity means we build trusting relationships, even sometimes with those who oppose change. That honesty has allowed us to build lasting relationships, whether it's with clients, fellow consultants, best practice organisations, Councils, or the communities and places we serve.

Employee Ownership: A Turning Point

In 2013, we made a big decision to transfer the ownership of Tibbalds to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), a move that reflected our belief in collaboration at all levels.

This process has been fascinating, challenging and brilliant. It has impacted how we work and has changed the role of the wider team in running the practice day to day, as well as setting our strategic direction. Being employee-owned means that we’re able to keep our independence while giving everyone who works here a voice in shaping our future. It’s a model that allows us to stay true to our ethos of delivering social value through our business operations as well as our work.

Looking to the Future: More Collaboration than Ever

Collaboration will continue to be at the heart of what we do, and we believe it will be needed more than ever. Our urban environments are becoming increasingly complex, and we’re facing big challenges – from the environmental issues of flooding, overheating, and pollution to economic and health challenges. All have to be carefully planned for and shaped, in support of the communities we work with, create and impact upon. Looking at the Tibbalds team and our wide network of colleagues and peers, we have no doubt we can meet these challenges together and to do this in a way that feels enjoyable at the same time.

We know we’re part of a constantly evolving world, where challenges are always around the corner and there are always new things to consider. The recent change in government has clarified some of the focus but there’s still uncertainty about what the future holds. Our clear view is that there needs to be a strong focus on quality alongside quantity when it comes to planning and making places. We don’t know yet what this will look like but we know that we will continue to drive and support the planning, design and delivery of places that prioritise people’s well-being.

Raising a Glass to the Next 21 Years

So, as we celebrate, it’s not just about what we’ve done – it’s about what’s ahead. We’ve always had strong opinions, and that’s not going to change. Our commitment to making places people love and that are resilient, creating communities that thrive, and addressing inequalities is stronger than ever.

Here’s to the next 21 years, and to working hard to continue creating great places! Cheers to the journey ahead!

Hilary Satchwell, Katja Stille, Lizzie Le Mare, The Directors of Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, 1^st October 2024