October 22, 2026 - 146 views
From advising ministers at Westminster to practising yoga in India, a chartered planner has returned to North Wales with a new outlook on life and a passion for making a difference.
Emma Lewis has joined expanding consultancy Cadnant Planning, bringing experience of the English planning system, government programmes, major city developments and national planning policy and legislation.
Originally from outside of Wrexham, and now living in Caernarfon, Emma recently achieved Chartered Town Planner status and wants to encourage more women into the profession.
Her appointment will also strengthen Cadnant's capacity to support clients in Chester and the wider North West, where the consultancy is looking to grow its presence, while her connections across North Wales complement its expanding work in Wrexham and surrounding areas.
A former pupil of Alun School in Mold, she completed a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited integrated Master's degree in Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield.
Her interest in land and the environment began early, with a grandfather who farmed and a father working in land and property law.
After university, Emma worked in local authority planning in Leeds before joining a consultancy specialising in student accommodation and city centre developments.
She then spent four years in UK Government, contributing to new planning legislation and policy in England, including the National Planning Policy Framework, which meant supporting ministers during parliamentary debates in the House of Commons and engaging with local planning authorities.
And all this before her 30th birthday.
Following publication of the framework, Emma decided it was time for a change.
“I'd worked on national policy for several years and felt it was the right moment to do something different,” she said.
“I went to India on my own for six months, spending most of that time practising yoga and travelling around the country. I absolutely loved it.
“It gave me time to think about my career and what I wanted to do next. Coming home to Wales was a big part of that.
“At Cadnant, I'm working on my own cases, dealing directly with local authorities and seeing how projects can make a difference to people's lives.”
Her varied caseload includes affordable housing schemes, public consultations, holiday park developments and other applications across North Wales and Chester.
“The variety is what makes planning so interesting,” said Emma.
“You can be involved in everything from housing and transport to tourism, the environment and the economy. Even a relatively small development can have a big impact on a village or community.
“It's great to see more women coming into planning and construction. If you're young and want to make a difference to where you live, I'd absolutely recommend it.
“Everyone here has been so welcoming. I'm delighted to be back in Wales using the Welsh language, working alongside so many supportive colleagues and being part of a company that's growing.”
Based in Conwy and Pulford, near Chester, Cadnant Planning continues to expand to meet demand across the region, with plans to recruit more planners.
Managing Director Sioned Edwards said: “Emma has packed an enormous amount into her career already, and we're thrilled she's joined us.
“Her knowledge of the English planning system is particularly valuable as we look to support more clients and projects in Chester and the surrounding area.
“She also has strong connections across North Wales, which is a real asset as we continue to develop our presence in Wrexham and beyond.
“We're growing because demand for our services continues to increase, and we want to bring more talented people into the business.
“Planning offers fantastic career opportunities, and we'd love to hear from people interested in joining our team.”
For more information about Cadnant Planning and current career opportunities, visit www.cadnantplanning.co.uk.
