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Over 415+ Years of Combined Planning and Environmental Consultancy Expertise.
Director
Director
Director
Director
Brian is the founding director of McCutcheon Halley.
A graduate of University College Dublin, Brian was employed by Cork County Council for 24 years where he served as Senior Planner for both planning policy and development management. He was also responsible for European projects. During this time Brian was directly involved in the preparation of the Cork Land Use and Transportation Study (LUTS) and the Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP).
Since leaving the local authority service in 2000, Brian has provided planning advice on a wide range of planning issues to public, semi-state and private sector clients. During that period Brian has made many submissions to City, County and Local Area Plans. He has also led design teams on major planning applications for residential, retail, industrial and energy projects.
While Brian has a wide range of experience, he has particular expertise in the legal and procedural aspects of planning and strategic and infrastructural projects.
Professional Memberships:
– Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute.
Academic Qualifications:
– BA Dip Town Planning
– Economics
– Urban and Regional Planning
Areas of Expertise:
– Legal and Procedural Aspects of Planning
– Strategic and Infrastructural Projects
Director
Tom is a director in our Cork office and has over 22 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Before joining McCutcheon Halley, Tom worked in the Cork County Council’s Planning Policy Unit where he played a key role in developing local planning policy as well as working closely with the Department of the Environment in the preparation of national planning guidelines.
Managing projects for a diverse and wide range of clients, Tom’s knowledge and experience have ensured that planning has been achieved for some of the largest housing, commercial and infrastructure projects nationally, facilitating the delivery of these schemes.
Tom has particular expertise in planning policy, development management and planning law and is regularly involved in projects that require environmental impact assessment. He also provides expert witness testimony relating to professional planning opinions for matters that are before the courts or subject to arbitration hearings. Tom has the vision and understanding to help clients realise the full potential of their property. With his expertise, projects are guided successfully through an increasingly complex planning system.
Professional Memberships:
– Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute
Academic Qualifications:
– Bachelor’s Degree, Architecture
– Bachelor’s Degree, Science and Geography
– Master’s Degree, Regional and Urban Planning
Areas of Expertise:
– Planning Policy
– Development Management
– Planning Law
– Environmental Impact Assessments
– Expert Witness Testimony
– Arbitration Hearings
Director
Paula is a director in our Dublin office and has over 20 years of experience in successfully delivering both planning and environmental consents. She aims to provide clear advice on realistic outcomes to clients and to deliver direction on the best approach to take in an increasingly complex planning system.
Having worked in both development and consultancy roles, Paula understands that planning advice cannot be provided in a vacuum. There is a myriad of factors that influence development proposals, and a balance must be achieved to ensure that projects remain viable for the client while working within the parameters of relevant policy and legislation.
Paula manages a diverse range of projects including residential, infrastructure, retail and renewable energy generation. Her reports provide a narrative that ensures the benefits of development are easily understood by decision-makers and stakeholders. She has particular expertise in environmental planning and regularly directs EIA development proposals.
Paula is a member of the Irish Planning Institute’s Policy and Research Committee and the Institute of Environmental Assessment (IEMA) in these positions Paula seeks to shape the direction of planning and environmental policy in Ireland.
Academic Qualifications:
– MSc in Spatial Planning from Dublin Institute of Technology
– A. in Geography from University College Dublin
– Diploma in EIA and SEA Management from University College Dublin
– Diploma in Planning and Environmental Law from Kings Inns.
Academic Experience:
– Lectures planning modules part-time at TU Dublin and supervision of student’s thesis
Areas of Expertise:
– Strategic Infrastructure Development
– Mixed-use Urban Development
– Renewable Energy (Bioenergy, Wind and Solar)
– Masterplanning & Feasibility Studies
– Environmental Planning
– Environmental Impact Assessment
Brian is the founding director of McCutcheon Halley.
A graduate of University College Dublin, Brian was employed by Cork County Council for 24 years where he served as Senior Planner for both planning policy and development management. He was also responsible for European projects. During this time Brian was directly involved in the preparation of the Cork Land Use and Transportation Study (LUTS) and the Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP).
Since leaving the local authority service in 2000, Brian has provided planning advice on a wide range of planning issues to public, semi-state and private sector clients. During that period Brian has made many submissions to City, County and Local Area Plans. He has also led design teams on major planning applications for residential, retail, industrial and energy projects.
While Brian has a wide range of experience, he has particular expertise in the legal and procedural aspects of planning and strategic and infrastructural projects.
Professional Memberships:
Academic Qualifications:
Areas of Expertise:
Tom is a director in our Cork office and has over 22 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Before joining McCutcheon Halley, Tom worked in the Cork County Council’s Planning Policy Unit where he played a key role in developing local planning policy as well as working closely with the Department of the Environment in the preparation of national planning guidelines.
Managing projects for a diverse and wide range of clients, Tom’s knowledge and experience have ensured that planning has been achieved for some of the largest housing, commercial and infrastructure projects nationally, facilitating the delivery of these schemes.
Tom has particular expertise in planning policy, development management and planning law and is regularly involved in projects that require environmental impact assessment. He also provides expert witness testimony relating to professional planning opinions for matters that are before the courts or subject to arbitration hearings. Tom has the vision and understanding to help clients realise the full potential of their property. With his expertise, projects are guided successfully through an increasingly complex planning system.
Professional Memberships:
Academic Qualifications:
Areas of Expertise:
Paula is a director in our Dublin office and has over 20 years of experience in successfully delivering both planning and environmental consents. She aims to provide clear advice on realistic outcomes to clients and to deliver direction on the best approach to take in an increasingly complex planning system.
Having worked in both development and consultancy roles, Paula understands that planning advice cannot be provided in a vacuum. There is a myriad of factors that influence development proposals, and a balance must be achieved to ensure that projects remain viable for the client while working within the parameters of relevant policy and legislation.
Paula manages a diverse range of projects including residential, infrastructure, retail and renewable energy generation. Her reports provide a narrative that ensures the benefits of development are easily understood by decision-makers and stakeholders. She has particular expertise in environmental planning and regularly directs EIA development proposals.
Paula is a member of the Irish Planning Institute’s Policy and Research Committee and the Institute of Environmental Assessment (IEMA) in these positions Paula seeks to shape the direction of planning and environmental policy in Ireland.
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Sue is a director in our Cork office with over 22 years of post-qualification experience in both public and private sector roles. She has a reputation for delivering consent within the minimum planning timeframe.
Sue’s principal areas of expertise include; the management of multi-disciplinary teams, and preparing planning applications for small and large-scale infrastructure projects including residential, commercial, retail, education and waste management. She has significant experience in preparing planning appeals and retail impact assessments and provides post-decision advice relating to compliance issues.
Through a hands-on approach, client focus and proactive advice, Sue guides clients and design teams through the development management process. She is known for providing practical solutions to assist clients in overcoming barriers to realise their development aspirations.
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Màiri is a director in our Cork office, with over 22 years of planning and housing experience. She has 20 years’ experience in the private sector successfully delivering planning consents, negotiating Part V housing agreements, coordinating the delivery of reports for Environmental Impact Assessments and providing strategic advice on housing and planning policy.
Màiri worked for 6 years as an academic researcher at the University of Aberdeen, where her work focused on housing, planning and rural policy. She then worked in community development for 3 years, before joining Cork County Council as their Housing Strategy Officer, responsible for coordination and delivery of the first Housing Strategy prepared in County Cork.
Màiri is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Chartered Institute of Housing. She provides focused and steady guidance on complex development projects, from framing a supportive policy context through project inception, navigating the planning and environmental consent process and supporting clients in meeting compliance requirements to deliver successful and viable developments.
Professional Memberships
Areas of Expertise
Cora is a Senior Planning Consultant in our Cork office. Cora holds an Honours Master’s Degree in Planning and Sustainable Development, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree and a Professional Diploma in Education from University College Cork. Cora first joined MH Planning in 2014 as an intern before re-joining the company in 2016 as a Planning Consultant.
Since joining the company Cora has successfully coordinated and prepared planning applications for a wide variety of projects including large residential schemes, student accommodation, and commercial and industrial developments. During this time, she has gained extensive experience in the management of planning applications from the inception stage to the appeal stage.
Cora has a reputation for efficiently and effectively responding to issues as they arise throughout the planning process. Cora is very detail-driven, ensuring the delivery of successful planning strategies.
Cora has particular experience in the preparation of Large-Scale Residential Schemes including Strategic Housing Development applications, design statements, first and third-party appeals, Section 5 declarations, planning appraisals, Development Plans and Local Area Plan submissions as well as the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Retail Strategies.
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Majella joined MHP in March 2020 and is a Senior Planning Consultant in our Cork office. Majella gained experience as a Planner in Australia in 2011 where she worked in the Local Government where she assessed a range of planning applications, offered pre-planning advice to applicants and agents and created relationships with key stakeholders.
In 2018, Majella returned to Ireland to work in a Planning Consultancy in Cork and over the last number of years she has gained significant experience in the coordination and preparation of a variety of planning applications including small – large scale housing developments, purpose-built student accommodation, healthcare, industrial and commercial developments. She also has experience in the preparation of planning policy submissions, planning compliance and enforcement, site appraisals and assessments, Section 5 Declarations as well as first and third-party appeals. Majella has also managed and inputted into many Environmental Impact Assessment Reports.
Majella has gained extensive knowledge overseas, has a strong work ethic and is a valuable part of the team managing a wide variety of multidisciplinary projects.
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Michelle is a Senior Planning Consultant with over 11 years of experience having previously worked with a multinational environmental and planning consultancy firm in both Australia and the U.K. Michelle gained extensive knowledge overseas through her involvement in a wide variety of sectors ranging from residential, commercial, retail, tourism, leisure and energy.
Michelle has successfully coordinated and prepared planning applications for a variety of projects, from small housing developments and large residential estates including Strategic Housing Developments to industrial and commercial developments. She also has experience in the preparation of planning policy submissions, planning compliance and enforcement, site appraisals and assessments, Section 5 Declarations, and first and third-party appeals.
Michelle is a detail-orientated person and she sets a high standard of quality for others to follow. She is known for her proactive engagement with clients, design teams and competent authorities and addresses issues as they arise to avoid later delays.
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Orla is a Senior Planning Consultant with over 10 years of private sector experience.
Orla has extensive experience in successfully managing, coordinating and preparing planning applications for many projects of varying scales, from small-scale housing and large mixed-use/residential developments (including Strategic Housing Developments), educational, tourism, industrial and commercial developments, as well as purpose-built student accommodation. She also has experience in Oral Hearing attendance, stakeholder engagement and the preparation of planning policy submissions, planning compliance and enforcement, site appraisals and feasibility assessments, Section 5 Declarations, first and third-party appeals, as well as Environmental Impact Assessment Reports.
Orla is proactive in the advancement of the company, playing an integral role in its continued development including her contribution to the preparation and implementation of McCutcheon Halley’s Graduate Training Programme, and responsibility for cross-office training to educate other staff members on the planning application validation process to ensure consistency in the quality of applications being submitted.
Coming from an architectural background, Orla has a particular understanding of design and possesses technical skills in critical thinking and analysis. Orla is detail-driven, ensuring the delivery of considered planning strategies and effective multidisciplinary working. Given her knowledge base and variety of experience, she is a skilled town planner who offers targeted and informed advice to her clients, leading to successful planning outcomes.
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Rachel is a Senior Planning Consultant in our Dublin office and previously worked as an Associate with Willowtree Planning in Sydney, Australia.
Rachel has successfully coordinated and prepared planning applications for a variety of projects, from medium scale housing developments and large residential estates including Strategic Housing Developments, to student accommodation and commercial developments. She also has experience in the preparation of planning policy submissions, site appraisals and assessments, first and third-party appeals, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and more recently Large-scale Residential Development planning applications.
Rachel has a particular understanding of the commercial realities of delivering projects and possesses skills in critical thinking and analysis. Rachel is outcome driven and provides an efficient client-based approach in the management of the planning process, realising the timely completion of projects to a high standard. Her cross-disciplinary understanding has enabled her to work for a diverse range of clients. Rachel adopts a strong ability to build rapport and strong working relationships with both her clients and team members.
Professional Memberships
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Andrea is a Senior Planning Consultant in our Cork Office. She manages small to medium-scale projects and assists with the delivery of large-scale developments. Andrea’s experience covers a wide range of projects including residential, commercial/office, mixed-use, retail, waste and tourism developments. Her experience also includes planning appraisals, planning applications, Strategic Housing Developments (SHD), Large Scale Residential Developments (LRD), Development and Local area Plan Submissions, Section 5 Declarations, Planning Compliance and Enforcement, Site Research, Planning Appeals, Part 8 Developments, Appropriate Assessment and EIA Screening Reports. Andrea has also been part of Oral Hearings and Judicial Review proceedings.
Andrea works closely with Company Directors and Clients to develop a planning strategy for sites which reflects current planning policy and best practices. Her organisational skills and enthusiasm for new challenges have made her an invaluable member of the team. Andrea’s keen eye for detail is evident in all aspects of her work and she plays a key role in ensuring consistency in applications.
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Janet joined McCutcheon Halley’s Cork office in 2016. Having come from an architectural background, Janet has a wide range of design skills including an in-depth understanding and appreciation of form, function and aesthetics and possesses technical skills in critical thinking and analysis.
Since joining the company, she has worked closely with senior members of the team on a wide variety of project types including residential, commercial, quarry and agricultural developments, gaining extensive experience in the project management of planning applications from inception to appeal including the co-ordination of multi-disciplinary teams.
Janet has extensive experience in the preparation of Design Statements, first and third-party appeals, Section 5 declarations, responses to planning enforcement issues & compliance submissions as well as the preparation of Development Plan and Local Area Plan Submissions.
In addition, Janet has extensive experience in the preparation of planning drawings, OSI and Land Registry Complaint mapping and illustrative graphics using AutoCAD. She produces high-quality drawings and images to support planning applications.
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Conor is a Senior Planning Consultant in our Cork Office having joined the practice in September 2020. Conor has over 10 years of experience in both Ireland and the UK within the public and private sectors. This experience gives Conor a unique insight and knowledge of the planning process. This experience coupled with an attention to detail ensures the best possible outcome for Conor’s clients.
Conor has successfully delivered planning consent for a range of schemes of varying scale and complexity. Conor has been involved in the delivery of medium to large-scale residential developments, commercial and retail development, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Conor also has experience in all aspects of the planning process including coordinating planning policy submissions on behalf of clients, key stakeholder engagement and the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports.
Conor is a Chartered Planner of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), gaining fully chartered status in 2019 and is a full Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI) gaining corporate status in 2020. A graduate of University College Cork, Conor completed an Honors Degree in History and Geography and went on to complete his Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development also at University College Cork.
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Conor is a Planning Consultant in our Cork Office having joined the practice in September 2020. Conor has over 10 years of experience in both Ireland and the UK within the public and private sectors. This experience gives Conor a unique insight and knowledge of the planning process. This experience coupled with an attention to detail ensures the best possible outcome for Conor’s clients.
Conor has successfully delivered planning consent for a range of schemes of varying scale and complexity. Conor has been involved in the delivery of medium to large-scale residential developments, commercial and retail development, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Conor also has experience in all aspects of the planning process including coordinating planning policy submissions on behalf of clients, key stakeholder engagement and the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports.
Conor is a Chartered Planner of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), gaining fully chartered status in 2019 and is a full Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI) gaining corporate status in 2020. A graduate of University College Cork, Conor completed an Honors Degree in History and Geography and went on to complete his Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development also at University College Cork.
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Ciarán is a graduate planner in our Cork office, and he has recently completed a Master’s in Planning and Sustainable Development (mPlan) at University College Cork.
Ciarán has acquired knowledge of a variety of sectors within planning, such as planning law, development management, appeals and strategic forward planning. He has experience in analysing planning applications, and report writing, and has also gained skills in analysing architectural drawings. He has also partaken in the Collaborative Town Centre Health Programme, in which he worked with his mPlan colleagues to gather data concerning building vacancy and footfall in Blarney, Co. Cork. Moreover, he also co-edited the subsequent report which addressed the findings from this study. Ciarán also has a passion for sustainable transport. This is reflected in his research paper conducted while doing the mPlan, and this related to how planning can encourage cycling as a form of mixed-modal commuting in the Cork Metropolitan Area.
Ciarán has also completed a BA International degree in Geography and Irish. As part of this, he spent a year studying at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. During this time, he gained an interest in planning due to the high emphasis placed on sustainable transport and mixed-use development.
Ciarán works excellently in group settings and has also developed leadership and communication skills during his time as class representative in the second year of the mPlan.
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Lucy is a Planning Consultant with McCutcheon Halley having joined the Dublin team in August 2022. Lucy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Sociology & Politics (BA Hons) from NUI Galway, and a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) from UCC, having graduated in 2020. Lucy is an accomplished planner with a strong track record of sourcing, designing, managing, and delivering client projects to a range of different specifications. Lucy also has multi-sector experience where she has worked in a number of project management and client facing roles.
Lucy’s experience spans across a range of industry sectors, including commercial, industrial, retail, and residential, including involvement in Strategic Housing Development projects. Lucy has been involved in and worked as lead planner/project manager on a number of planning projects from conception to construction.
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Aoife is a Graduate Planning Consultant in our Cork office and Graduated from University College Cork with the Master’s Programme of Planning and Sustainable Development in 2021.
Aoife has assisted in the research and preparation of planning applications for a variety of projects, from small housing developments and large residential estates including Strategic Housing Developments. She also has assisted in the research and preparation of planning policy submissions, planning compliance, and first and third-party appeals as well as aiding with the preparation of EIAR documents and the preparation and lodging of applications.
With a Bachelors in Geography and Sociology from University College of Cork and a Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development from University College of Cork, the foundations and fundamentals of planning and processes assist in the day-to-day tasks of critical thinking and research required for each planning application process.
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Ciaran is a Graduate Planning Consultant in our Cork office, who recently joined the team after he graduated from University College Cork in June 2022
Ciaran has already been involved in several projects since joining the company, helping to coordinate and prepare planning applications, from small housing developments and Large Residential Developments to commercial developments. He also has some experience in the preparation of site appraisals and assessments, pre-planning applications, third-party appeals and LVIAs.
Coming from a political science background, Ciaran has a particular understanding of the working dynamic between local government and the planning process, understanding the relationship that exists between local councillors, Council staff and design teams. Since the age of 16, Ciaran has also worked as a freelance journalist, mostly covering sports and current affairs, allowing him to develop good working relationships with political figures across Cork. He has also written several opinion pieces for The Echo on the theme of urban planning.
Ciaran is enthusiastic about beginning work with McCutcheon Halley and is looking forward to developing new skills on his journey to becoming a chartered town planner.
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Darragh is a Graduate Planning Consultant in our Dublin office and previously worked as an Intern Planner with KPMG Future Analytics in Dublin.
Darragh has successfully coordinated and prepared planning applications for a variety of industrial and commercial projects such as a car wash and valeting unit to digital advertising displays across Dublin and Leinster. Darragh also has worked alongside senior staff while assisting in the preparation and submission of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) applications. Darragh has also experience in assisting and preparing planning policy submissions, site appraisals and assessments. Darragh has recently begun assisting senior staff in the preparation of Environmental Screening Reports.
Darragh has been involved in the preparation and lodgement of planning applications, has undertaken numerous Social Infrastructure Audits, and Feasibility Studies and has recently completed a Retail Impact Assessment.
Coming from a planning and environmental policy educational background, Darragh has a particular interest in the relationship between urban design and planning and how these disciplines can work in tandem in achieving a well-rounded, properly planned scheme or project.
Darragh is detail-driven and adopts a multidisciplinary approach to any project.
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Muireann is a Planning Consultant in our Cork Office having joined the company in December 2021.
Muireann has successfully supported the team in the delivery of a wide range of projects, from small to large-scale (1000+ units) housing developments, to industrial and commercial developments. Muireann is one of the lead planners involved in renewable energy projects for the company, with extensive experience of the solar energy sector. She also has experience in the
preparation of planning reports and site appraisals, Section 5 Declarations,
planning compliance and masterplan documents.
Muireann has a keen interest in the legal aspect of the planning process and takes a diligent and analytical approach to her work. She is detail-oriented, supporting the Company in its commitment to delivering
consultancy services of a high standard.
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Simon is a Graduate Planner in our Dublin office having previously worked in a planning firm with Armstrong Planning in Dun Laoghaire and as an intern in ERTC Associates in Beijing, China.
Since joining the company Simon has worked closely assisting the preparation of planning applications for a variety of projects for submission, from large residential estates to mixed-use apartment blocks, to industrial and infrastructure developments. He has experience in reviewing Development Plans and planning policies, drafting planning application forms and site notices, and making submissions on new development plan policies. He also has experience in First and Third-Party appeals, compliance submissions and Retail Impact Assessments, as well as programmes such as adobe photoshop, illustrator, and Microsoft office.
Simon has previously studied in Melbourne and Bendigo in Australia while at university and completed an internship in Beijing in China, gaining his knowledge of urban, rural, and environmental planning techniques from an Australian and Chinese perspective.
Having worked on projects in the UK from Armstrong Planning, Simon has a particular understanding of assisting the development of temporary Outdoor Advertising Structures in urban areas while subsiding building restoration projects.
Simon is highly motivated and passionate about ensuring the delivery of successful planning projects and successful collaborative working.
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