Richard Just

‘’A well thought out and produced drawing is worth a thousand words – A simple illustration can explain an idea, concept or visualise a proposal that is easily understood by a professional, decision maker and layperson alike.’’

I am one of the original members of the P&DG team since it was established in 2013 and a fully qualified well-established and respected town planner, urban designer and heritage conservationist. Professionally, I am a chartered member of the RTPI.

My career choice was influenced from a design, architecture and artistic family background and an underlying interest in history and geography.

I am responsible for and contribute to all aspects of urban design and heritage work for the practice including, master planning, ‘placemaking,’ design work, site promotion, heritage appraisal, guidance and advice. My specialist talents include a distinctive style of hand drawn visualisation and the ability to capture the character of and bring a proposal to life.

My career experience has involved working with both the public and private sectors, including ground-breaking national regeneration work with The Civic Trust throughout the UK, from inner city areas and historic market towns to seaside settlements and mining communities. I have also worked on ‘Placecheck’ research with the Urban Design Group and RTPI and national good design practice guidance in the formative years of the urban design movement. My work on projects has taken me to over a 100 different settlements across the country, from Ramsgate to Hartlepool and Lowestoft to St Ives.

Key recent achievements include master planning, placemaking and the promotion of Infinity Garden Village in Derby, an ongoing project that I have been involved in since initial concept design. I have recently provided successful heritage appraisal support to help gain planning approval for historic city centre and conservation sensitive projects in the East Midlands.

I have a passion for hand drawn artwork and visualisation and in 2020 I had an opportunity to develop my skills as a competent watercolourist.

Outside of work, I am a ‘chain reader’ and have an eclectic range of interests, including aviation, motor racing, football, countryside, architecture and art.