Black Box Planning
About Our Team
A highly experienced planning consultancy helping clients unlock development opportunities and navigate complexity with confidence.
The Black Box Planning story
Black Box Planning was founded in Bristol in 2018 by Ben Read and Conor Flanagan, who each bring over two decades of experience in planning. They shared a vision to move beyond the limitations of traditional planning consultancies and create a practice where planning could be more creative, collaborative and fulfilling – bringing a more human approach to an increasingly complex planning system.
Planning is all we do. Our team is made up entirely of town planners, bringing specialist expertise, foresight and a problem-solving mindset to every project. We look at land with imagination and commercial understanding, finding opportunities and solutions that help make development happen.
Our Bristol roots have since been strengthened by the growth of our Exeter office, led by Director Dan Trundle. Together, our team works across the UK on progressive and ambitious schemes, from homes and communities to energy, transport and commercial development.
Our Approach
Strategic Thinking
We identify early opportunities and develop planning strategies that align with commercial objectives and local context.
Collaborative Approach
We bring clients, Local Planning Authorities and project teams together, drawing on a strong network of relationships that spans the UK.
Commercial Focus
We navigate the balance between planning policy and commercial reality, finding solutions that meet expectations while keeping development viable and deliverable.
National Reach.
Local Understanding.
We deliver projects across the UK, giving us extensive knowledge of local planning policy, decision-making processes, and regional planning challenges.
The map highlights the local authority areas where we are currently delivering projects.
Meet the Team
Our strength lies in our people. We’ve brought together a team of talented town planners with experience across every stage of the planning process, from early site strategy through to securing consent.
Different backgrounds and perspectives bring fresh thinking to our projects, but our approach is shared: we are curious, commercially aware and committed to finding solutions. Every Monday, our whole team comes together to discuss our projects, share ideas and tackle challenges collectively. It means that, no matter the size of the project, our clients benefit from the knowledge, experience and perspective of the entire Black Box team.
Meet the people who make Black Box Planning what it is.
Archie Roberts MRTPI
Senior Planner
Archie joined Black Box Planning in May 2026 and brings valuable experience in the renewable and telecommunications sectors, having previously worked on large portfolios of solar and battery energy storage system projects across the UK. He has supported and led a wide range of planning applications, from early-stage feasibility through to submission, project management and client liaison, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver successful outcomes.
Outside of work, Archie enjoys cycling, running, football, hiking and concerts, and is always looking for a new challenge.
Ben Read MRTPI
Founding Director
Ben has gained a range of experience over the last 20+ years advising landowners, operators, developers, and local planning authorities on a range of commercial and residential development projects both big and small. Whilst he adopts a pragmatic approach to finding a negotiated solution, he is also extremely competitive where getting a buzz out of a good result remains high on the agenda.
Before founding Black Box Planning, Ben was a Partner in a multi-disciplinary property consultancy. Ben has acted as an expert witness at public inquiries on numerous occasions. Outside of work Ben is a season ticket holder at Southampton FC and also enjoys shooting.
Brittany Mann MRTPI
Associate Planner
Brittany joined Black Box Planning in 2026, bringing over a decade of consultancy experience across the South of the UK. She has worked on a diverse portfolio of projects, including residential and mixed-use developments, urban regeneration schemes, and employment and education proposals.
Her strong commercial background gives her a solid understanding of the technical and practical aspects of the planning system. Brittany is highly experienced in preparing a wide range of planning documentation and is a confident project manager, adept at working with and coordinating consultant teams to deliver timely and successful outcomes.
Outside of work, Brittany enjoys reformer pilates, travelling, and exploring the south west with her young family.
Chris McNulty
Associate Planner
Chris joined Black Box Planning in 2022 and brings public and private sector experience across plan-making and decision-making roles to our clients’ projects.
Before joining Black Box, Chris was a case officer in MHCLG/DLUHC’s Planning Casework Unit, working closely with planning ministers and the Chief Planner to determine called-in applications and recovered appeals. Prior to this, Chris spent several years in plan-making and planning policy roles in private consultancy and Local Government.
Away from work Chris enjoys running, tag rugby and badminton.
Conor Flanagan MRTPI
Founding Director
Conor has over 20 years experience in private sector planning. During this period, he has acted for various private landowners, property developers and housebuilders to successfully promote development opportunities and unlock planning permissions. His expertise lies in devising strategies to align his clients’ commercial requirements with those of decision makers and establishing consensus among all key stakeholders in the planning process.
Prior to founding Black Box Planning, Conor was lead planning director at an urban design and planning practice in Bristol. Away from the office, his young family keeps him busy and he occasionally enjoys pursuing his passions for rugby and national hunt racing.
Dan Trundle MRTPI
Associate Director
Dan is an Associate Director, leading our Exeter office, with over 12 years experience in planning practice. Dan obtained MRTPI in 2016 and has spent his career in consultancy advising clients on a broad range of development projects across a variety of sectors, including residential, tourism and leisure, healthcare and education. He operates proactively and is very thorough in his approach for his clients with an eye for detail. Key projects include outline planning for 500 dwellings and neighbourhood centre at Northam, Devon; delivery of consents for the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton and GKN Global Technology Centre and CarShop at Horizon 38, North Bristol; and a luxury tourism development in the Cornwall AONB won at appeal.
Elisabeth Lucas MRTPI
Senior Planner
Liz has been with Black Box Planning since August 2022 and has since been involved in a wide range of residential, commercial and community projects across the south west. Liz successfully passed her APC at the end of 2024 to become a chartered member of the RTPI.
Outside of work Liz has recently become a homeowner and is busy renovating her new home
Elizabeth Bisp MRTPI
Senior Planner
Libby joined Black Box Planning in October 2021 after completing her Master’s in Urban Planning at the University of the West of England. Since then, she has gained valuable experience working on a wide variety of projects across multiple sectors and scales. Libby has a particular strength in preparing detailed planning statements, taking a meticulous approach that ensures every aspect is thoroughly considered to help secure the desired outcome. Her broad project exposure and commitment to high-quality work led to her becoming a Chartered Member of the RTPI in 2024.
Outside of work, Libby is a dedicated gym-goer and a proud season ticket holder at Bristol Rovers.
Libby was commended at the RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2026, recognising the exceptional professionalism, leadership and dedication she has demonstrated in her planning career.
Henry Clegg MRTPI
Planner
Henry is based in our Exeter office and has been a Graduate Planner at Black Box Planning since August 2022. He completed his Masters degree in Urban Planning at the University of the West of England. He has worked on commercial and residential projects engaging with clients and stakeholders providing solutions tailored to their needs.
Outside of work Henry likes to travel, plays hockey for ECV Hornets and is a keen football fan and supporter of Burnley FC.
Liesel Corp
Head of Operations
Liesel joined Black Box Planning to support Directors Conor and Ben in the growth and management of the business. With both Directors closely involved in delivering Black Box Planning services, Liesel oversees the day-to-day business operations, helping to keep the company running smoothly and supporting the wider team.
Her career background spans the creative industries and retail, bringing broad commercial and operational experience to her role.
Outside of work, Liesel enjoys spending time with her family and tending to her allotment.
Lucy Topp
Assistant Planner
Lucy graduated from Newcastle University in 2024 after achieving a First Class Honours in a BA of Architecture and Urban Planning. During her time at University, she learnt to take a holistic approach towards the built environment was able to incorporate her love of music and her interest in feminist architecture into her dissertation which looked into the whether live music venues should make architectural design changes in order to enhance the female user experience.
After growing up in Staffordshire and Cheshire, Lucy joined the Bristol office at the beginning of 2025 and has been assisting in a range of different projects at a range of scales to develop her breadth of knowledge across the planning system.
When not at work, Lucy enjoys listening to music, watching films and TV, making arts and crafts or just spending time with her family and friends.
Tom Evans
Assistant Planner
Tom joined Black Box Planning in early 2025, after graduating with an MSc in Urban Planning from Newcastle University's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. He supports on projects across a number of sectors whilst working towards becoming a chartered planner. Before moving into planning, Tom built a career in events and corporate/community engagement, with experience spanning the education, technology, finance, and economic growth sectors.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys hiking, jogging, and playing tag rugby. When recovering from his attempts to be active, you’ll likely find him reading in a local coffee shop, or carrying an old 35mm camera.
Will Gabriel
Senior Planner
Will Gabriel joins Black Box Planning all the way from Victoria, Australia, bringing eight years’ planning experience across both the private and public sectors. His skills are underpinned by strategic and statutory planning experience, including work on a range of complex infrastructure and renewable energy projects for both private sector and government clients. With broad project exposure and a thorough, detail-oriented approach, Will enjoys collaborative problem-solving and helping to realise the best land use and environmental outcomes on any given project.
Outside of work, Will enjoys cooking, outdoor adventures and sport, though he’s yet to pick a football team.
Frequently Asked Questions
