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The APEM Group Planning & Consents team within the Environmental Planning Division is welcoming another new face to the fold. Jim Whatton, Chartered Principal Planning Consultant, joined APEM Group in November 2024 to enhance the team’s offering to the renewable energy, infrastructure and construction industries particularly in NI and ROI.
Jim has written and project managed major EIA planning consents for renewable energy, waste and large-scale infrastructure projects including carbon capture and storage development projects. He takes a keen interest in emerging technologies that support the transition to Net Zero and has secured planning consent for large and complex projects including: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities, anaerobic digestion facilities and energy recovery and data centres, as well as minor non-EIA projects including battery energy storage facilities, solar farms, electric vehicle charging points and waste transfer facilities.
With experience identifying opportunities and constraints for site appraisals and in stakeholder engagement, Jim has successfully secured planning consents, navigated regulatory requests and won planning appeals for diverse projects. He has worked with Local Planning Authorities on policy research for Burial Needs Assessments, engaging with communities and culminating in presentations to stakeholders.
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I’ve been welcomed into a diverse and highly capable team of EIA and Environmental Consultants that’s spread across the UK and Ireland with a clear depth of expertise in energy generation and transmission consenting. Working at APEM Group, I’ll be providing an insight into the development and sustainability of projects that have a real benefit to the environment. Using my expertise to make science-led decisions combined with independent professional judgement embracing innovation and technology, I’m looking forward to contributing to evidence-based planning decisions.
– Jim Whatton, Principal Planning and EIA Consultant
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After completing his MSc in Planning and Development at Queens University, Jim has settled in Belfast. He is a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and working towards Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) qualifications, to broaden the capability of the team and support the growth of APEM Group in Ireland.
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With Jim’s arrival we’re excited to add strength and depth to our in-house planning capabilities within APEM Group. From his base in Belfast, he will be supporting our Irish clients with a portfolio of energy projects in a time of great policy and regulatory change in Ireland.
– Jill Simpson, Divisional Director – Environmental Planning
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To speak to Jill Simpson or Jim Whatton about planning and consents, contact us.
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