From Designs to Developments: Greg Blaquiere's Planning Journey

Planning consultancy sits right at the point where design ambition, policy, viability and local authority reality meet.Stephen Drew speaks with Greg Blaquiere, founder of Eagle Planning and Development, about moving from local government into private planning consultancy, starting a business and building better working relationships with architects.The conversation covers: What planning consultants actually do on projects How local authority experience shapes private sector advice Why architects and planners need clearer working relationships How AI and technology can support planning work without replacing due diligence What Greg learned from his first year running Eagle Planning and Development ____▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH1NQPDiGxY📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/from-designs-to-developments-greg-blaquieres-planning-journey/Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:https://architecturesocial.com/The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:https://archademia.com/architecture-social/Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.____Chapters 00:00 Introduction and overview 01:00 Meet Greg Blaquiere from Eagle Planning 01:23 Greg's journey into planning 03:27 Early career in local authority 07:44 Transitioning into the private sector 13:24 Starting Eagle Planning and Development 15:23 Diverse projects and planning challenges 20:37 The role of technology in planning 25:28 Balancing AI and due diligence 26:21 AI limitations and risk 29:15 AI in business operations 31:30 Exploring Eagle Planning 37:16 Starting and running a business 45:13 Final thoughts and contact details (00:00) - Introduction and Overview (01:00) - Meet Greg from Eagle Planning (01:23) - Greg's Journey into Planning (03:27) - Early Career in Local Authority (07:44) - Transition to Private Sector (13:24) - Starting Eagle Planning (15:23) - Diverse Projects and Challenges (20:37) - The Role of Technology in Planning (25:28) - Balancing AI and Due Diligence (26:21) - AI's Limitations and Risks (29:15) - AI in Business Operations (31:30) - Exploring Eagle Planning (37:16) - Starting and Running a Business (45:13) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information