A personable and dependable chartered town planner who prides himself on his local knowledge, attention to detail and relationships based on trust.

Forged over a decade-long career at Bidwells, and with prior public sector experience, Steven is an all-rounder with a specialism for residential planning. He is actively working on projects ranging from strategic-scale developments in the Green Belt, to enabling development to secure the conservation of heritage assets.

Based in Chelmsford, Steven’s local market knowledge has rendered him an expert in the Essex area, achieving planning consent for multi-award-winning projects like City Park West, several projects for Essex Housing incorporating specialist accommodation and being the retained planning advisor for a portfolio of local and national housebuilder and promoters’ sites across the patch.

He leads the identification of planning strategies that include the promotion of sites through the development plan process and the preparation of major planning applications, recognising the need to ensure viability and deliverability.

A keen cyclist, Steven actively experiences environments at the human scale - he knows what sustainable development should look like and how it should be planned.

Steven in MRTPI accredited.

Experience

01

Planning

Develop winning planning strategies that deliver successful projects
02

Planning Consultancy

Comprehensive planning strategy and submission advice - tailored to your site and your objectives.
03

Later Living & Retirement

Powerful insights and development support from Later/Senior Livingā€™s leading consultants

Our insights

Rangeford Villages scheme Insights 31.10.23

Wellbeing is now firmly on the national agenda and as the UK’s elderly population is projected to reach 15.1 million with 22% over 65 by 2030, alongside this edition of Local Plan Watch, Harriet Wooler and Steven Butler look at how senior living is being planned for across our patch.

A Look at Senior Living

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Image of PR_220607_N16_webview Insights 28.09.22

With Charles now King, his ability to exert influence on the built environment is substantially reduced, so what can we learn from his philosophy and who will champion his principles in the future?

King Charles’ legacy: We should harness his design philosophy for our wider benefit.

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Eddington_200421 36 Insights 24.01.22

The launch of Active Travel England, as inspectorate and funding body, will ensure the enforcement of new guidance by local authorities to help people make more shorter journeys by bicycle or on foot. Developers would be wise to accommodate the expectations of such guidance when designing their schemes to avoid potentially lengthy delays and/or the need for a re-plan.

What the launch of Active Travel England means for you

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Image of essex autumn Insights 01.11.23

Essex Local Plan Watch - Autumn 2023

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Image of essex spring Insights 16.04.24

There are good opportunities available across Essex, with new Local Plans at the early stages of review across the north and centre of the county and immediate opportunities available in some areas elsewhere.

Essex Local Plan Watch - Spring 2024

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LPW Essex square Reports & Briefings 06.10.22

Essex Local Plan Watch - Autumn 2022

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Image of essex spring Insights 17.05.23

Essex Local Plan Watch - Spring 2023

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Genesis housing - Chelmsford (2) Insights 01.03.18

The Essex Design Guide has been updated and relaunched for the first time in thirteen years. Bidwells summarises the important updates that could affect you.

Launch of New Essex Design Guide

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CSP
Project

College Gardens, Rocheway

We assisted Essex Housing, Essex County Council, secure planning permission for the redevelopment of this former adult community learning centre for a mix of new family homes and specialist Independent Living accommodation for over 55s.

Rocheway 2
Project

Colne House for Kingsley Healthcare

Our client sought to more than double the size of its existing care facility in response to identified local need and to secure its long-term future in the community.

Kingsley Healthcare - Colne House
Project

City Park West, Chelmsford

The site of the former Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, this project was a rare opportunity to repurpose a brownfield site in a prominent location. Close to the railway station, park and central facilities of Chelmsford, the site would create a new gateway to the city.

City Park West 1

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