Ifeanyi Chukwujekwu is currently working as an EIA advisor at Planning Inspectorate. He is  a mentor  supporting  members of the Network.

1. What do you do in your current job role?

I am responsible for advising applicants, other stakeholders, Inspectors and Planning Inspectorate’s case teams on technical aspects of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) and Water Framework Directive (WFD). This involves the development and delivery of core products under both the Planning Act 2008 and Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA) processes such as screening opinions, scoping opinions, Environmental Statement (ES) reviews and HRA reviews.

2. Can you outline your career journey?

I started my career in Nigeria where I qualified as a Registered Town Planner, registered with the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria and a full member of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. I moved to the UK to study a Postgraduate in Geographic Information System. My career journey in the UK has taken me through Business Administration and Project Management. I also hold both Prince II and Agile Project Management Practitioner qualifications.

My re-entry into the planning profession started with a role as a Marine Licensing Officer at the Marine Management Organisation, which involved Marine Environmental Management and Marine Spatial Planning. At the time of taking up the role, I was the only BAME staff in the Organisation. I am also a Chartered Environmentalist and Full Member of IEMA. I later joined the Planning Inspectorate as an Appeals Planning Officer, writing decisions on section 78 planning appeals.

3. Can you share one of your favourite projects in your career and tell us why? 

I was the lead case officer for the application to regenerate Royal Pier Waterfront, Southampton. I particularly enjoyed this project because it involved both marine and terrestrial elements. Working on the project involved collaboration with the local planning authority as well as other statutory consultees and stakeholders in order to carry out robust environmental assessments. I gained a lot of technical knowledge outside my area of expertise by working with other experts.

4. How does the BAME Planners Network benefit you? 

It provides a community of individuals with wide-ranging expertise and experiences. Within the Network, there are members from similar ethnic backgrounds as me who have faced or still face similar challenges, who I can safely interact with and learn from, as well as contribute my own knowledge and experience.

5. What are your aspirations for the Network?

To continue to grow and champion the aspirations of BAMEs in the planning profession. To provide support and aid career development of BAME planners both through formal and informal training, as well as engagement with employers.

6. Can you share your thoughts on the future of Planning?

A system which takes the characteristics of diverse communities into consideration in placemaking and diversity is fully represented in decision making and the workforce.