Broxbourne recruits to tackle rising planning application workload

Broxbourne Borough Council has responded to an increase in planning applications by recruiting a new development management service manager.

Katie Smith is joining from Epping Forest District Council to head up the development management team and play a lead role in implementing council plans and strategies.

Head of planning and development Douglas Cooper told Planning: “There has been an increase in applications across the board in the last 12 months.

“This is due in part to the apparent end of the recession. But also government changes to permitted development rights has pump primed small developments, which has had a knock-on effect.

“As well as small developments such as house extensions there has been an increase in change-of-use schemes, and projects to turn offices to residential spaces have picked up.”

Broxbourne, on the northern fringe of London and close to Stanstead Airport, has a mix of urban development and green-belt countryside with a population of around 93,000 people.

Has your organisation recently made a new appointment or promotion? If so, please let us know by emailing planning@haymarket.com