Nicki Faulkner is our Local Plan, CIL and project management specialist.
She works remotely from the south east of England where she enjoys making the most of weekend walks to local beaches and in the rolling countryside of the South Downs National Park.
Nicki joined DAC Planning in 2021 having previously worked at Arun District Council and West Sussex County Council.
What is your current title and role at DAC Planning?
I am an Associate at DAC Planning specialising in planning policy, community infrastructure levy, critical friend advice and project management.
Why did you join DAC Planning?
I joined DAC Planning for its public sector ethos, its nationally recognised specialism in the plan-led system and the supportive and approachable nature of the company.
Which profession did you want to enter as a child?
From an early age, anything to do with looking after animals. This was followed by a desire to work in sports physiotherapy. But my interest in geography at A-level took me on a different path!
How did you enter town planning?
I entered town planning through my degree in Geography and interest in the interrelationships between people and place.
What do you find most rewarding about the profession of town planner?
Working with and learning from a range of stakeholders and professionals who inform plan-making and the development of planning policy make the profession rewarding.
What is the most challenging aspect of the profession?
Balancing social, economic and environmental issues against a backdrop of opposing views and expectations for growth are challenging aspects of town planning.
Describe town planning in three words.
Place, strategy, judgement.
Describe your favourite project so far at DAC Planning?
Working on behalf of the Planning Advisory Service to provide Project Management Support to a range of local authorities across the country. It has been so interesting to work with such a variety of local authorities, and meet those who are working within busy planning policy teams. I’ve learnt so much about plan-making in many different regional and political contexts and I have found it hugely rewarding to be involved in supporting local authorities in identifying processes which will help to overcome challenges to plan-making timescales and develop effective and realistic programmes.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Walks in the South Downs or by the sea, swimming and being with my family and friends.
Are you a coffee or tea person, or neither?
Both depending on time of day!
What's the most interesting place you've ever visited?
I really love travel, so it is hard to narrow it down. The Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Kyoto, Delhi, Ha Noi and the view of the Skellig Islands from the west coast of Ireland are top of the list.
What's a skill you've always wanted to learn?
Languages – not a skill that comes naturally to me, but I have been taking French lessons…and will keep persevering!
DAC Planning provides specialist local plan support and advice.
For a discussion on how we can assist you, please get in touch with the team:
admin@dacplanning.com / 01206 259281.
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