About Us
Overview - What Makes VEC Unique
VEC Planning and Landscape is a unique consultancy that understands the challenging and complex nature of the planning system. We handle a range of applications from small individual plots to large master planning and landscape led schemes.
The business is led by David Walton (left) and Nic Baddeley (right), and Environmental Planner and Landscape architect whose complementary skills and approaches lead to great outcomes for VEC clients.
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What sets us apart is our understanding of the environmental challenges that the planning system poses.
We've always thought that the planning system is mostly about reducing environmental impacts and so our focus is on harnessing sites to reduce developments impacts and finding a way through difficult issues through design, persuasion and a keen eye on policy.
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Our Team - Professional With A Personal Touch
The beating heart of VEC is David and Nic. Colleagues, Friends, Tennis Foes and ultimately experienced professionals working together to a common aim.
David Walton
David is an Environmental Planner with 25 years experience in the planning system. He deals with planning strategy, applications for all types of development via full or outline applications, lawful development certificates and has a keen eye on making persuasive planning policy arguments.
When not poking through green belt case law or similar David can be found relaxing with his family and two golden retrievers or trying to persuade his wife Claire that their next trip should always be to southern France....
Nic Baddeley
Nic is a Landscape Architect and technical specialist of the duo. His has vast experience of both designing schemes that make places special as well as assessment of developments landscape impacts and how to improve them.
His naturalist design approach and ability to bring landscape to solve issues around drainage, ecology, heritage and contamination is highly valued by clients and he will always push for space for both nature and people.
When not assembling the big jigsaw that is landscape and all the things that need to fit into it he can be found mooching through the Peak District, up mountain or down dale.
Our Journey
How We got here
VEC is now 12 years old, having celebrated a decade of service in 2023. Our journey began in 2013 with a unique blend of environmental, planning, and landscape expertise, aimed at supporting private clients, schools, renewable energy developers, housing associations, and local authorities with planning and green infrastructure. We’ve grown considerably over the years and there is scarcely anything we haven’t done!
2015
We welcomed Nic Baddeley as our Landscape Architect, effectively doubling our expertise.
2016
We secured our first Paragraph 84 Dwelling approval.
2022
We celebrated our 30th renewable energy project approval.
Future Vision
Looking ahead, we remain committed to responding to our clients’ evolving needs. Whether it’s embracing new renewable energy technologies or integrating Biodiversity Net Gain into every project, our focus is on innovation and adaptability.
A major masterplan and outline application for 900 homes in the North East.
A significant new tourist accommodation development in the North East.
Extensive Landscape Assessments for biogas sites in Lincolnshire.
