Purbeck creates a new planning department

Following the retirement of the Head of Development and Building Control, Purbeck Council has created a dedicated Planning Department.

The new department has been created after an internal review, and will integrate the services previously delivered by the Development and Building Control Section with those in the Community Planning and Policy Section.

This streamlined resource, providing expertise on planning, building control, conservation and heritage, tree protection, economic development (including tourism) and community development, will form one department, enabling knowledge, skills and information sharing.

This new Department should be more effective in ensuring that Council policies are implemented through the planning system. It should also ensure that policies developed by the Council can be more rigorously tested by staff using them in practice.

It is anticipated that the new Department will be more effective in addressing the important planning issues facing the District – such as the need for affordable housing, traffic congestion, the protection of the environment and local employment.

The new Department will be headed up by Mark Sturgess, who was previously the Head of Community Planning and Policy.

Contact: 

Mark Sturgess, Head of Planning Services, on 01929 557268