New planning director helps merged council balance development demands

A merged council planning service has recruited a new director to help balance competing demands for growth and conservation.

Cotswold District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council has appointed Christine Gore as its strategic director. 

The planner, who joined from Aberdeenshire Council where she worked for 11 years, is responsible for environmental services, leisure and community services as well as planning.

“The biggest challenge in terms of planning is balancing the expectations of significant housing needs against the aspiration to conserve and protect the beautiful environment,” she said.

Council chief executive David Neudegg said Christine was joining the joint senior management team of “two of the most innovative district councils in the Country”. 

He added: “Her role will provide strategic leadership, direction and governance to ensure the delivery of high-quality and cost-efficient services to communities in west Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.”

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