The role of the service is to cover three key areas:

1.	Planning Development Control To provide for the control of development within the Borough in accordance with Council planning policy and good practice in terms of quality and design, ensure that breaches of planning control are investigated and rectified, promote a sustainable local economy and secure the enhancement of the Borough’s natural and built environment.
2.	Planning Policy and Implementation To develop and secure the implementation of planning policies by means of the Local Development Framework, to ensure these policies are up-to-date and in accordance with Regional Plans, Structure Plans and national policy, serve tree preservation orders and prepare Conservation Area enhancement plans, to ensure the Council’s interest in major transport-related projects are effectively promoted/protected and to assist in the determination and implementation of major development proposals.
3.	Housing Strategy To produce the Council’s Housing Strategy Statement and update as appropriate.  Ensure the action points therein are correctly prioritised and resourced in the interests of addressing the general housing and specific supported housing needs of the Borough’s residents.

Heather Morgan 01784 446352

Head of Planning Services and Housing Strategy Responsible for the effective management of the service and delivery of development control performance, the Local Development framework and affordable housing. Maintains effective internal and external links with stakeholders.

The role of Development Control

Development Control is responsible for the processing of planning applications and handles enquiries as to the need for planning permission.  The enforcement section deals with breaches.  Specific duties include:

• The processing of planning and related applications and planning appeals.
  
  
• The investigation of breaches of planning control.
  
• Giving landscaping and conservation/listed building advice, managing the tree service and processing applications in relation to trees.
  
• Giving advice prior to the formal submission of applications.
  
  
• Advising on whether planning permission is required for certain forms of development.
  
  
• Liaising with other departments internally and externally to deliver community benefits on larger applications.

Paul Underwood 01784 446351	Assistant Head of Planning (DC) Deputises for Head of Planning and Housing Strategy.  Deals with the most complex/controversial issues, allocates work, monitors planning performance and manages planning enforcement/breaches of planning control.  Lead officer in the preparation of Planning Committee agenda.
Esmé Spinks 01784 446356	Principal Planning Officer Deputises for Assistant Head of Planning (DC) and deals with the majority of the major planning applications and appeals in the Borough.  Lead Officer in the determination of decisions taken under the Scheme of Delegation.
Paul Tomson 01784 446353	Principal Planning Officer Deputises for Assistant Head of Planning (DC) and deals with the majority of the major planning applications and appeals in the Borough.  Lead Officer in the determination of decisions taken under the Scheme of Delegation.
Wayne Hayward 01784 446350	Senior Planning Officer Deals with the more complex planning applications and appeals in the Borough, including those involving legal agreements.
Kelly Walker 01784 446348	Senior Planning Officer Deals with the more complex planning applications and appeals in the Borough, including those involving legal agreements.
Matthew Clapham 01784 446349	Senior Planning Officer Deals with the more complex planning applications and appeals in the Borough, including those involving legal agreements.
Alison Lovell 01784 446354	Planning Officer Deals with a mixed (high volume) planning (and appeal) caseload, but principally cases determined under delegated powers.
Susannah Angell 01784 446355	Planning Officer Deals with a mixed (high volume) planning (and appeal) caseload, but principally cases determined under delegated powers.
Henriette Collins 01784 446311	Planning Officer Deals with a mixed (high volume) planning (and appeal) caseload, but principally cases determined under delegated powers.
Vacant	Planning Officer Deals with a mixed (high volume) planning (and appeal) caseload, but principally cases determined under delegated powers.
Gerry Beckford 01784 446408	Planning Enforcement Officer Investigates alleged breaches of planning control and takes appropriate enforcement action.  Secures  compliance with served enforcement notices.
Lynsey Tracey 01784 446313	Planning Enforcement Officer Investigates alleged breaches of planning control and takes appropriate enforcement action.  Secures  compliance with served enforcement notices.
Gillian Richardson 01784 446360	Systems Administrator Maintains and develops IT systems for planning.
Pat Hodges 01784 446361	Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support to planning officers and answers general planning enquiries.
Janet Whittle 01784 444258	Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support to planning officers and answers general planning enquiries.
Melanie Jones 01784 446347	Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support to planning officers and answers general planning enquiries.

The role of Policy and Implementation

Policy and Implementation are responsible for planning policy matters including the Local Development Framework.  Specific duties include:

• The preparation of planning policy including the emerging Local Development Framework with all ancillary documents and guidance.
  
  
• Responding on behalf of the Council to Regional Plans, Government consultations, mineral waste development plans and major transportation projects.
  
  
• Managing, co-ordinating and promoting the Design Awards.
  
  
• Undertaking research and monitoring of planning issues in the Borough.

John Brooks 01784 446346	Assistant Head of Planning (P&I) Deputises for Head of Planning and Housing Strategy.  Deals with preparation of the Local Development Framework and responds to Regional Plan and other policy issues.
Alan Dyer 01784 446345	Principal Planning Officer Deputies for Assistant Head of Planning (P&I).  Responsible for Local Development Framework preparation, and associated research and leads on major infrastructure changes, especially in relation to Heathrow and Airtrack.
Geoff Dawes 01784 446397	Senior Planning Officer Involved in Local Development Framework preparation with particular responsibility for sustainability appraisal and supervision of monitoring
Vacant 01784 446343	Planning Officer Involved in Local Development Framework preparation with particular responsibility for the Statement of Community Involvement and background research.
Lynne Gardner 01784 446449	Planning Policy Support Assistant Deals with the monitoring of planning issues and drafting tree preservation orders.  Provides technical and administrative support for other members of the team.

The role of Housing Strategy

Housing Strategy is responsible for building more working relationships with Housing Associations to facilitate affordable housing and to provide an overall strategy to assist that delivery.  Specific duties include:

• Working in partnership with local housing associations to facilitate affordable social housing, including cross-references to the Supporting People Strategy.
  
  
• Producing and/or updating the Council’s overall ‘Fit for Purpose’ Housing Strategy and addressing the action points.
  
  
• Undertaking Housing Needs Surveys to ascertain housing demands in the Borough.
  
  
• Giving general housing strategy advice.

Greg Halliwell 01784 446254	Housing Strategy Officer Leads on the supporting people strategy, monitoring the progress of the Action Plan for the Housing Strategy on behalf of the Strategic Housing Group and maintaining links with internal and external stakeholders in housing strategy terms.
John Hesbrook 01784 446344	Housing Development Officer Negotiates and enables the provision of affordable housing in the borough with Registered Social Landlord partners and developers, to meet the housing needs of the Borough.  Liases with other departments internally.