Steve Quartermain: A Northern voice on planning issues

WITH issues surrounding planning and development becoming more contentious than ever, there is now to be a northern voice influencing the debate.

For the first time in its ten year history the Planning Officers Society - the national organisation which aims to ensure that planning makes a major contribution to achieving sustainable communities - has elected a president from the Yorkshire Dales.

Steve Quartermain, Director of Planning and Environmental Services at Hambleton District Council took up his year's office last month.

The Society, which has over 700 members made up of senior professionals from local authorities across England, is currently playing a key role in shaping the approach and delivery of the government's new planning regime.

"This is an important time for planning and I am delighted to be at the forefront of promoting place shaping as a positive activity and to champion good practice," said Steve.

"Hambleton was the first authority in the region to have a Sound Core Strategy and has recently achieved Beacon Council status for its work in promoting sustainable communities through the planning process.

"Having a proven track record within the authority gives me a real platform to raise the profile of planning and show that planners can deliver."

2007 is set to be a busy year for the Planning Officers Society and Hambleton as a Beacon authority - Steve has talks and seminars booked across the country designed to showcase best practice experience in community planning.