Contact details
01332 347371
- david.symons@planningdesign.co.uk
David Symons
BArch, March, PGCert, ARB, RIBA
Director - Chartered Architect
David is an RIBA Chartered Architect that studied architecture at the University of Nottingham with experience working in practice in both the UK and Canada.
David Symons is an experienced Architect specialising in residential architecture, rural design and planning-led development across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the wider Midlands. He brings a strong understanding of both design and UK planning policy, supporting clients in delivering high-quality, context-responsive schemes.
Before joining Planning & Design Practice, David worked as a Project Architect at a multi RIBA award-winning national practice in Birmingham, where he led on large-scale mixed-use regeneration projects, higher education refurbishments and commercial office fit-outs.
David is a Director and has extensive experience working across RIBA Stages 1–6, delivering projects throughout the East Midlands including house extensions, bespoke new-build homes and residential developments of up to 75 dwellings. He works with private clients, developers and landowners across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, guiding projects from concept through to completion and securing successful planning permission outcomes.
With a particular interest in the UK planning system and policy-led design, David undertook detailed research during his Master’s degree into Paragraph 80 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). His work explored innovative countryside development and exceptional design in rural locations, supported by interviews with industry experts and analysis of planning case studies. This has given him specialist knowledge in rural housing policy, countryside development and planning for sensitive sites.
Originally from a rural village in Devon and now working across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, David has a strong passion for rural architecture and countryside projects. He focuses on delivering bespoke, high-quality homes and residential developments that respond to local character, landscape setting and planning constraints.
Outside of practice, David enjoys surfing in North Devon and Cornwall, walking his dog Wilfred, and exploring the countryside across the Peak District, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.