A bit about us
Plan Red was formed in 2021 by John Francis and Richard Purser.
The business provides consultancy services tailored to support the pre-planning and planning stages of major development and regeneration projects. We also provide advice on the development potential of land and property and strategies to deliver a site’s development potential.
Plan Red has and continues to advise on some of the UK’s largest and most complex development and regeneration initiatives and operates throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
John is an experienced Chartered Town Planner who prior to Plan Red was an equity partner or director at a number of national planning consultancies. He is co-director at Plan Red. He advises on and has been involved in some of the UK’s highest profile and biggest major mixed-use development projects and regeneration initiatives. Areas of expertise extend to all land uses and areas of planning. John acts as expert witness including at planning inquiries, examinations in public, CPO inquiries, Upper Tribunal hearings (Lands Chamber), special hearings and adjudications and High Court proceedings (written evidence).
John Francis
Director
Richard is an experienced planning consultant and Chartered Town Planner and is a Co-Director at Plan Red. Richard has made a reputation for himself for his focused analysis of planning issues, integrity and problem solving abilities to often complex development initiatives - turning visions into implementable schemes. Richard acts for private clients on regeneration, mixed-use and residential schemes; on public education schemes; and provides strategic lead on environmental impact assessments. Richard acts as expert witness, with specialism on housing land supply matters, and has experience of giving evidence to CPO inquiries and Upper Land Tribunal.
Richard Purser
Director
Since graduating and joining Plan Red in 2025 Sophie has become an important member of the Plan Red planning team. She is gaining in experience and is currently advising on and dealing with a wide range of major commercial and education projects in a support role to the directors and a range of smaller projects on her own. She also supports the directors through detailed research, preparing reports and assessments manages a wide range of planning applications from submission to decision.
Sophie McGeough
Assistant Planner
Building communities,
in every way
Plan Red prides itself on building lasting relationships with our partners. Some of our clients have been commissioning us in excess of twenty-five years — the longevity of these working relationships speaks volumes for the value and worth of the services and advice we provide.