About Us

David Collier has been a Chartered Town Planner since 1986. He had more than three decades’ experience with the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (the NFU), and for ten years served as the NFU’s national Planning Adviser. His most recent spell in the role was in 2013, giving him a head start on the detail of concessions allowing conversion of certain farm buildings without the need for express planning permission. Since entering private practice he has dealt with prior approval applications for Class Q (agricultural to residential), Class R (agricultural to commercial) and Class PA (light industrial to residential).

In addition to being a corporate (full) Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), David is a Member of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (MBIAC).

David Collier was brought up on a mixed farm in rural Staffordshire and went to school in Penkridge and Lichfield before studying Town Planning in Leeds and London. He has both undergraduate and postgraduate planning qualifications, though he strives to avoid jargon and to keep explanations as straightforward as possible.

Among his other roles working for the NFU, David was Regional Director in the West Midlands for nine years, and spent more than 12 years based in York advising NFU members in northern England.

David Collier Rural Planning works with other specialists to ensure that the client has the expertise required to overcome the challenges of site and location.

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Avatar David Collier @DJCollierRural·

My 'street cred' (such as it is) took a battering today when I attempted The Times daily quiz. Although I got the name of Italy's first PM (Cavour), I couldn't remember the punk band behind Alternative Ulster (Stiff Little Fingers). The shame, the shame.

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Avatar David Collier @DJCollierRural·

On Thursday we had two approvals, including one where I'd used the work of a Roman architect to justify an L-shaped configuration. Vitruvius lived in the 1st century BC and was the author of 'De architectura'. Thanks, Vitruvius.

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Avatar David Collier @DJCollierRural·

This is a welcome reminder that we need to work with nature wherever we can. Planning policies require a net benefit to biodiversity when development is approved, so it's worth spending time thinking about what form that could take. It doesn't need to be costly.

Meres and Mosses BEN@mandmben

This week's Featured Member is @DJCollierRural David Collier Rural Planning. Specialising in aspects of planning & development for farms and rural estates David Collier joined MMBEN in early 2015 following a recommendation.

Find out more here: https://www.meresandmossesben.co.uk/members/david-collier-rural-planning/

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Avatar David Collier @DJCollierRural·

The Place Alliance has published a new report, "HOME COMFORTS How the design of our homes and neighbourhoods effected (sic) our experience of the Covid-19 lockdown and what we can learn for the future". It proves that now even academics don't write proper English.

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Avatar David Collier @DJCollierRural·

At the request of a new client I produced a planning statement explaining why planning permission should be granted retrospectively. It went to the Council last Monday. Permission granted this Monday. Planning officer deserves credit for responsiveness. That's quick.

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