Our Team

Neil March Bsc (Hons) DIP TP MRTPI – Director

Neil joined the practice in November 2014 and was appointed as a Director in December 2018. He obtained a BSC (Hons) degree in City and Regional Planning followed by a Diploma in Town Planning at Cardiff University and has been a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 2002

Before joining the practice, he spent 20 years in local authority planning, working at South Somerset District Council, New Forest District Council, and Winchester City Council, where he served as Enforcement Manager for eight years. His experience includes development management, enforcement, public inquiries, High Court challenges, lawful development applications, and Gypsy and Traveller appeals.

Neil advises private clients on a broad range of urban and rural planning matters, preparing planning appraisals and applications, representing clients at appeal, and specialising in planning enforcement.

Alice Drew BSc (Hons) MSc MRTPI – Director

Alice graduated from The University of Reading with a BSc (Hons) degree in Geography in 2015. She started her first job in Planning at Pro Vision in 2015 and undertook a Masters in Urban and Rural Planning with the University of the West of England. In 2017, Alice joined Barton Willmore, where she was involved in a variety of residential, mixed use and commercial projects for both private and public sector clients.

In 2020, Alice was elected as a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and is a member of the committee for the Solent Women in Planning branch, in which she is actively involved with organising CPD events in the region for like-minded professionals.

Alice manages her own cases of both urban and rural nature. Her day-to-day work includes undertaking site appraisals to assess development potential, preparation and submission of planning applications and preparation of representations to Local Plan consultations. 

Bonnie Wintle - Director

Bonnie joined the practice in September 2005 and was appointed as a Director in March 2023. She has undertaken various financial and administrative training, and has extensive knowledge of both SPP and the industry as a whole.

Bonnie oversees all aspects of business, including the company's financial strategy and planning. She makes sure the practice is running smoothly and efficiently with the support of the Administrative team.

Alexandra Webb BSc (Joint Hons) MSc MRTPI - Director

Alex graduated with a BSc (Joint Hons) degree in Geography and Urban Planning from Birmingham University and continued to obtain a Masters in Spatial Planning from Oxford Brookes.

She is a Chartered Town Planner and was elected a Member of the RTPI in 2012. Alex has over 16 years professional planning experience in both Local Government and private practice. She originally joined the Practice in September 2007 and left in 2021 to work in in the Development Control Department at Eastleigh Borough Council, before returning to the Practice in 2023. Alex was appointed as Director in 2026.

Her work covers a wide range of planning matters covering both urban and rural development. This includes the preparation and submission of planning applications, development appraisals, applications for lawful development, planning appeals and negotiating with local planning authorities.

Andrew Partridge BSc Dip.UP MRTPI – Consultant

Andy obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Geography from Coventry University and a postgraduate Diploma in Urban Planning at Oxford Brookes University. He is a Chartered Town Planner and was elected a Member of the RTPI in 1994. Andy has over 30 years professional planning experience and joined the Practice in 1997, having previously worked in Local Planning and Development Control at Test Valley Borough Council. Andy acted as Director from 2001 - 2026.

Andy covers a wide range of Town and Country Planning issues with a particular focus on rural issues – particularly country houses, planning design, planning law and appeals. He has recently been involved in promoting several wineries, houses of outstanding design, a crematorium, a commercial allocation for a local plan, as well as successfully defending at public inquiry an unauthorised dwelling. As well as participating in public inquiries, Andy deals with the full gamut of appeals and has been called as an expert witness in court.

Lawrence Chase BA (Hons) - Principal Planner

Lawrence joined the practice in 2026 and was appointed Principal Planner. Lawrence joined us with extensive experience in the later living and healthcare sectors, and has spent the past 10 years working for a Registered Provider of affordable housing, gaining valuable experience across land, planning and architecture. During this time, Lawrence has been closely involved in the delivery of multiple care homes and large scale, mixed use retirement communities of over 100 units.

Lawrence has a particular interest in care‑based planning, renewables and economic development.

Jessica Grout BA (Hons) - Assistant Planner

Jess joined Southern Planning Practice in October 2024 after graduating with a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Exeter. In 2025, Jess started a Masters in Spatial Planning at Oxford Brookes University, which she does alongside her work as Assistant Planner at SPP.

Jess works alongside the other Consultants and Directors to assist with projects, lead her own applications, and work with the Homelodge team to submit Certificate of Lawfulness applications.

Molly Boyle BA (Hons) - Graduate Planner

Molly joined Southern Planning Practice in September 2025 after graduating from the University of Portsmouth with a first-class BA (Hons) degree in Geography.

Molly assists the team with a diverse range of rural and urban planning projects through undertaking research, report preparation and submitting planning applications, while continuing to develop her knowledge of the planning system.

 

Alex Lyon BA (Hons) MArch PGDip - Architect

Alex qualified as an Architect in 2016 after spending several years obtaining a BA (Hons) in Architectural Studies, a Master’s in Architecture and a Post Graduate Diploma in Architectural Practice and Management from Newcastle University. Before moving to the south coast in 2017 to work for Pope Priestley Architects, Alex gained experience working for architectural practices in Calgary and Tyne and Wear.

Alex joined Southern Planning Practice in June 2025 and provides drawing and design services as part of the in-house architectural team.

Nikki Windebank FdSc, BSc (Hons), MSc - Ecologist

Nikki joined the practice in 2023 after completing a degree in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation. Alongside her studies, she gained experience in habitat management and ecological surveying in both the private and voluntary sectors and continues to volunteer with the South Downs National Park Ranger Service.

With 20 years’ experience in the planning sector, including roles as a Highways Engineer, Planner, and Enforcement Officer for local authorities, and consultancy work for the South Downs National Park Authority, Nikki brings a strong understanding of the relationship between ecology and development.

She undertakes Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain calculations, protected species surveys, watercourse assessments, and advises clients on ecological mitigation and enhancement measures.