Meet the National Park planner….Conservation Officer Lucie
April 22, 2024
We catch up with Lucie Tushingham to find out more about her role, interests and passions.
Three words that sum up your job in planning?
Interesting, involved, ever-changing.
Okay, so what’s your role at the National Park?
I’m a Conservation Officer for the West side of the Park, dealing with the built heritage. The post is based in the Specialists Team, within the Planning Department and works closely with the Policy Team.
What appealed to you about working in planning?
I wanted a job that would be purposeful and interesting, indoors and outdoors. From studying at Portsmouth for a geography degree, my interest in planning, conservation and the landscape developed. I initially worked as a journalist on a design magazine and left to study for my diploma and MSc at Oxford Brookes, then later studied at Wisley and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh for a RHS Level 2.
Can you describe your typical day?
Application responses, projects, with updates to and from colleagues. It can vary from discussions with the team, writing up comments and on site with officers, with the occasional grape rolling across the desk.
Best thing about working in planning for a National Park?
Planning, conservation and design are all linked by context and what better place than a National Park to work in, with the best context and landscape.
What do you love about the South Downs National Park?
The team I work in, people make the job, as does working in the lovely Midhurst offices opposite the stunning Cowdray ruins. The close team of people I work with are all highly skilled specialists at their jobs, funny, intelligent and have been so welcoming to me as a newbie.
Currently reading/watching?
Currently reading Blink by Malcolm Gradwell and Botany For Gardens by Brian Capon and watching Death in Paradise, which takes you to the sunny island of Saint Marie.
Dream holiday destination and why?
Well, it has to be Guadeloupe, which is where the fictional Saint Marie is filmed…or Iceland (pictured above), trekking up and round the volcanoes; preferably when not erupting!
Describe your perfect day (when not working, of course!)
I do love pottering in the garden and going for a walk with friends, that ends in a pub 😊