Who we are

Practical Planning Advice. Proven Experience.

About Debbie

Debbie Marriage is a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) with a career that spans local authority, consultancy, and industry specialist roles.

She began her career in local government — working for councils including Wealden, Nottinghamshire, and the London Borough of Richmond — where she developed a detailed understanding of how planning policy is applied in practice.

She then moved into consultancy, working with Babcock International, Humberts Leisure (later GVA Humberts Leisure), and later Parker Dann Chartered Town Planners.

At Parker Dann, Debbie specialised in a wide range of development types, including residential, rural leisure, and renewable energy. She secured planning permission for over 200MW of solar energy projects across the UK, alongside numerous rural and urban schemes for private clients and developers.

In 2020, Debbie founded DJM Town Planning to offer a more personal, responsive and commercially focused planning service — combining the depth of big consultancy experience with the flexibility of an independent practice.

DJM Town Planning Today

We believe good planning advice should be clear, strategic and achievable. We work closely with clients, design teams, and local authorities to identify the best route through the planning process — reducing risk, saving time, and maximising development potential.

Our work includes:

Planning applications and appeals
Pre-application discussions
Enforcement cases
Development appraisals and feasibility advice
Specialist support for modular and offsite construction projects

Professional Membership

Debbie is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) and holds a MA in Town Planning from the University of Nottingham and London South Bank University.

Her professional writing has appeared in The Planner, Solar Business Focus UK, and Solar Power Portal, where she has explored the evolving relationship between planning, renewable energy, and rural development.

Why DJM Town Planning

25+ years’ experience across public and private sectors
Strong local knowledge across Sussex and the South East
Independent advice focused on practical outcomes
Trusted by architects, developers, landowners, and modular building specialists

At DJM Town Planning, you deal directly with the person who understands your project best. Every site, every scheme, every conversation — handled with care, expertise, and integrity.

Client Testimonials

H H Davis Director WDW Holding Ltd

“As Architects and Developers we have been working with Debbie Marriage on a number of projects across London and the South East. Debbie offers a professional, fast, and efficient service whilst still providing the personal touch.

Working with Debbie has been a pleasure and we consider her knowledge and expertise an essential element in our planning applications. We have no hesitation in saying that Debbie and DJM Town Planning have been instrumental in achieving planning consent for some of our more challenging projects.”

Gary Salt, General Manager, West Hove Golf Club Limited

“West Hove Golf Club have been using the expert advice of Debbie Marriage for around about 2 years now. Her professionalism and industry experience is unrivaled, making it a pleasure to work with Debbie for our regular and various planning needs/advice. With her consistently high standards of service and quality, I would highly recommend Debbie Marriage to other businesses – you won’t be let down!”

Sian Hunter, New Romney Caravan Park

“Debbie has been acting as our planning consultant at New Romney Caravan Park for four years. As well as being personable and easy to work with, Debbie has a very good background in the caravan and holiday parks industry and has helped us get planning for an extended park season as well as new camping, glamping and caravanning facilities. We have been impressed with her knowledge of the planning application process and have frequently drawn on her excellent network of planners and other professionals. She frequently goes ‘above and beyond’ in her research and is always prompt to both come up with solutions and to reply to queries. We would happily recommend her.”