The Royal Town Planning Institute is about to appoint a new president.

Janet O’Neill will become only the third ever female president and the very first to also be a working mother.

Janet said she is determined to use her year in office to tackle a range of themes, amongst them is to encourage young women coming into the profession that they can reach the top.

Janet also strongly believes that since the UK is facing major planning challenges, such as housing shortages and climate change, women planners should be encouraged to expand their contribution.

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"Britain is changing rapidly and the role of planning is increasing," Janet said. "Many more women are entering the planning profession and this can only be positive. "Female planners can offer a comparative view on some of the most pressing issues of the day, such as tackling childhood obesity, safer streets and play areas, accessibility and the vitality of urban areas."

However, Janet O'Neill insisted: "I am not about to be pigeon-holed as a single issue president, just because I am female.

"My main theme for the year is to strengthen links between planning academics and those in practice.

"Too often planning leadership is filtering through too slowly into everyday planning practice. Just as some academic projects would benefit from input from practitioners," she said.

The ceremony to announce Janet's position as President of the Royal Town Planning Institute take place on Wednesday 23 January at 4pm at Church House, in Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London.

(JM)