Croydon appoints new planning director

The London Borough of Croydon has appointed Heather Cheesbrough as its new director of planning and strategic transport.

Cheesbrough joins from the London Borough of Hounslow, where she served as assistant director of strategic planning, regeneration and economic development.

Her new role in Croydon’s 'place' department will see her lead on strategic planning, development management, strategic transport and building control.

A statement from the council said: “Key priorities of her role will include the delivery of the Westfield Hammerson planning application, enabling Croydon to realise its growth ambitions, ensuring Croydon has effective transport infrastructure and upholding the council’s obligations as a planning authority.”

Before joining Hounslow, Cheesbrough was head of planning and building control at St Albans City and District Council.

She has also worked in roles at consultancy firms EDAW and Urban Initiatives, following spells in junior planning roles at Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Her qualifications include a master’s degree in town planning from the University of Westminster and a degree and post graduate diploma in landscape architecture from Leeds Metropolitan University.

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