William Smith

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT WILLIAM SMITH

I have a broad interest spanning planning policy, heritage, music and culture with experience and interest across both academic and professional contexts. I currently work in the Planning Policy team at North Yorkshire Council. Prior to this position, I worked in the Planning Policy team at Selby District Council where I gained experience in Development Management and contributed to a number of key workstreams. I was part of the team that progressed the Local Plan to Regulation 19 consultation. The decision to stop this plan was made in early 2025 to focus on the new, overarching North Yorkshire Local Plan. I have experience conducting heritage surveys in the United States with the USDA Forest Service and I have worked on many archaeological sites across the United Kingdom. This includes desk based research and assessment, geophysical survey, landscape survey and excavation. Key sites include York Archaeological Trusts Hungate excavations (Placement Role), Boltby Scar Hillfort at Sutton Bank, and landscape research projects including the Teffont Roman Landscape Research in Wiltshire.Passionate about cultural heritage and its contribution to place, I have researched how UK planning currently considers music venues and subcultural sites. I analysed the potential methods within town planning to ascribe value (e.g. non-designated, listed status, community asset) to such cultural assets. I also assessed the application of policy and legal mechanisms (e.g. Agent of Change and Deed of Easement) in protecting grassroots music venues and infrastructure. I\'m currently applying this interest in the development of North Yorkshire Local Plan.My Masters dissertation critically assessed how current policy and planning frameworks seek to recognise and consider music venues and music heritage, especially amid broader processes such as gentrification and regeneration. I conducted interviews and drew on the important work by stakeholders such as The Music Venue Trust and academic publications across various disciplines. Using heritage value assessment frameworks and analysis of planning decisions, I highlighted issues and opportunities for future protection of the UK\'s musical and cultural landscape.Further research has included travel to Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon to conduct research on the heritage significance of sites synonymous with the 1980s and 1990s punk and alternative music scenes (what would eventually become known as Grunge). Further details of my academic research are included in the academic / qualifications section.