Spencer Copping

Spencer joined WS Planning & Architecture in January 1999 after completing his four-year planning degree and diploma at Oxford Brookes University. He became a Member of the RTPI in April 2001 and was appointed Director in April 2005 and Planning Director in December 2016. In November 2025 he became Managing Director or WS Planning & Architecture and Brouard Architects alongside his role as Planning Director at WS Heritage.

He firmly believes that effective communication and a clear strategy are vital at an early stage in all projects to ensure the best possible chance of success.

In addition to handling a wide variety of planning related projects including residential, commercial, heritage and agricultural related planning work for the Private sector, Spencer has also acted for Castle Point Borough Council, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Horsham District Council, Sevenoaks District Council and Waverley Borough Council as an expert planning witness at numerous Hearings and Inquiries. He has also previously acted as Planning Officer on behalf of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council while handling their outsourced Householder Application contracts.

Spencer has handled numerous Listed Building Consent and Conservation Area Consent applications including the redevelopment of a former World War II Ammunitions Bunker site in the Green Belt, the extension a Golf Club in close proximity to a Grade II Listed Windmill as well as advising clients on the impact of their proposals on designated and non-designated heritage assets. He has also worked with Charles Holland Associates on a sensitive householder project in the Wray Common Conservation Area in Reigate.

Spencer is proud to be Chairman of the Reigate Business Guild which is a voluntary role. After joining the Board of Directors in April 2019 he was appointed Chairman of the Reigate Business Guild at their AGM in June 2020. Having worked in Reigate for over 26 years he is extremely proud to take on the role and enjoys helping the local business community and promoting our unique town. Spencer has spoken on behalf of Reigate Business Guild at a number of events including the Reigate & Redhill Society AGM, Reigate Heath Residents Association AGM, Reigate WI and Reigate & Redhill Rotary.

Spencer is also proud to be a Dragon on the Reigate & Banstead Entrepreneur Academy Dragons Den where new businesses pitch for funding towards their new business.

Spencer also works closely with local Schools and Colleges providing help on Interview Days and Careers Fairs and is particularly proud of the Student Work Experience programme at WS.

In August 2024 Spencer appeared at the Surrey Tennis Showcase at the All England Community Tennis Centre in Raynes Park and provided an insight into the Planning strategy required to support tennis and padel related planning applications.

Spencer is a member of Earlswood Running Club. He is also a keen supporter of the Old Blues Rugby Football Club, Reigate Priory Cricket Club and has even represented The Cricketers Club of London in recent years. He is also a keen supporter of Crystal Palace Football Club, Surrey County Cricket Club and the Green Bay Packers. Spencer is a founding member of the Audio Cocktail Club and DropInDJ with regular DJ nights at the Pilgrim Brewery and The Cage in Reigate. Being a fan of all things to do with the cinema he is proud to have a credit on the IMDb. A keen photographer, Spencer was also honoured to have one of his photographs of The Towner Gallery in Eastbourne chosen to be published in artist, Lothar Götz’s recent publication Dance Diagonal.