Meet the Team

Thomas Bell

Planning Director

Thomas Bell is a Director with Bell Rolston which was established September 2023. Thomas previously worked for Clyde Shanks as Planning Director and Turley Associates as a Senior Planner based in Belfast. Thomas is recognised within risk and recovery for preparing planning appraisal and feasibility reports and preparing planning applications for developments spanning the housing, waste and renewable energy sectors. Thomas has considerable experience in coordinating consultant teams for the preparation and management of planning applications through to positive decisions. He is well versed in understanding the importance of frontloading planning applications to ensure that the determination period is reduced and takes great satisfaction on delivering prompt and robust permissions. Thomas has presented guest lectures in QUB School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPACE).

Gavin Rolston

Planning Director

Gavin Rolston is a Director at Bell Rolston which was established September 2023. Gavin has previous experience working for both the private (Clyde Shanks; Turley Associates) and public (DoE Planning) sectors. He is well known to developers, planning officers and consultants throughout NI. Gavin has substantial experience in appraising development potential for private and public sector clients during his time in the private sector, including regularly reviewing a wide variety of developments from housing schemes to large-scale offices and industrial projects, as well as renewable energy projects such as wind farms, solar farms and battery energy storage sites. Gavin also provided pre-application advice and processed a wide variety of planning applications whilst working in the public sector. Gavin has significant experience of the day-to-day and strategic management of multi-disciplinary consultant teams and delivering comprehensive, high quality planning application submissions that enable decisions to be taken in a timely and positive manner.

Clare McParland

Planning Director

Clare has over 12 years experience working in private consultancy across all development sectors with a particular focus on renewable energy, waste and EIA development. Clare is responsible for preparing, co-ordinating and pro-actively managing planning applications for local, major and regionally significant developments. Clare has significant experience in developing planning strategies across complex and often controversial projects with a commercial awareness of client budget, project programme and risk of challenge.

Hayley Wilson

Associate Director

Hayley Wilson is an Associate Director at Bell Rolston joining in December 2023 with five years experience in the private sector. Hayley has experience in preparing local and major planning applications for industrial, residential, wind farm and anaerobic digestion and PV developments, co-ordinating from pre-application stage to decision-making. Hayley has also co-ordinated multi-disciplinary input for EIA developments, engaging closely with the consultant team, statutory bodies and the client to ensure assessments are robust and collated in a timely manner. Her work involves drafting of planning statements, liaising regularly with the planning authorities and ensuring issues raised during the planning process are addressed promptly.

Lauren Coulter

Senior Planner

Lauren Coulter is a Senior Planner at Bell Rolston joining in February 2024 with almost 3 years experience in the private sector. Lauren's experience includes projects throughout all of Northern Ireland ranging from small to larger scale residential developments, certificates of lawfulness of proposed or existing use applications, industrial developments, renewable energy, changes of use and tourism related projects. Lauren's day to day involves corresponding with planning authorities to address any issues raised during the application process, updating clients, writing planning statements, and drafting thorough planning application submissions by way of efficiently liaising with the design team and professional consultants. Lauren's proactive approach throughout the planning process has led to good quality service and excellent results for clients. Lauren has also presented guest lectures in Ulster University School of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Jack Corcoran

Senior Planner

Jack Corcoran joined Bell Rolston as a Senior Planner in January 2026, bringing nearly three years of private-sector planning experience. His background is rooted in infrastructure planning across the UK, having worked extensively in England and Scotland as well as Northern Ireland. Jack has been involved in major national infrastructure programmes for telecommunications operators including VMO2 and Vodafone, gaining experience across a broad range of planning matters. His expertise includes the preparation and management of planning applications, community and stakeholder consultation, and supporting appeals. In his role at Bell Rolston Jack's day-to-day work involves advising clients, liaising with planning authorities, coordinating applications and submissions, and collaborating with technical consultants to deliver high quality outcomes for clients. He is also committed to the planning profession and is serving on the RTPI Northern Ireland Executive Committee in 2026.

Shane Fegan

Student Planner

Shane Fegan is a student planner at Bell Rolston joining in July 2025. Shane currently studies Planning, Environment and Development at Queen's University Belfast where he has developed a strong interest in countryside development and renewable energy. Shane has built upon his academic experience attending planning appeals hearings and judicial reviews to expand his knowledge of the planning system, he is looking forward to progressing towards a career in planning.

Andrew Coulter

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