News Corporate

Strutt & Parker appoints planning policy expert and Local Plans Expert Group member

Q3 2016

Strutt & Parker has appointed Derek Stebbing as planning policy consultant to advise its national development and planning team in assisting clients in navigating the planning process.

Mr Stebbing was previously planning policy manager at Chelmsford City Council where he was instrumental in Chelmsford becoming one of the first authorities to have complete Local Development Framework coverage, together with an approved Community Infrastructure Levy.

In September 2015, Mr Stebbing was invited to join the Local Plans Expert Group (LPEG), set up by Brandon Lewis MP minister for housing and planning to recommend on measures to streamline and speed up the Local Plan system in England. The LPEG report was published in March, and the Government is considering its recommendations later this year that may lead to some key changes in how Local Plans are prepared.

John Mclarty, head of planning at Strutt & Parker added: “Derek will provide our teams with an extensive understanding of the planning environment and the issues associated with delivering much needed development within an evolving planning framework. His experience of working with the Government and local authorities will enhance the services that we are able to offer our clients – ensuring that we can address all areas of planning legislation to deliver the best solutions for them.”

The appointment of Mr Stebbing follows the recent addition of David Phillips to Strutt & Parker’s national development and planning team to head its newly created London planning offering. Strutt & Parker’s planning network now extends to eight planning teams based throughout the UK, with a total of 48 planners