An experienced planning lawyer has been appointed to advise Chancellor Rachel Reeves on the next phase of the government’s planning reforms.
Catherine Howard, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, specialises in major infrastructure projects and has particular expertise in development consent orders that provide planning permission for nationally significant projects. She is also experienced in environmental regulation and judicial reviews.
Howard said of the appointment:
“It is a privilege to take on this position as the chancellor’s infrastructure and planning adviser, helping the government to achieve a step-change in how we deliver major infrastructure and housing.
“With the right framework in place, good decision-making can enable swift progress – improving our natural environment and supporting the government’s growth mission. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill makes major strides towards this goal. I look forward to working with stakeholders to consider how we build on this important agenda.”
The role – initially a four-day a week unpaid commitment – has been created to help drive through planning reforms and back the new housing secretary, Steve Reed, in his promise to ‘get Britain building’.
It comes as part of the government’s commitment to create conditions to attract long-term private sector investment into UK infrastructure. With the Planning and Infrastructure Bill going through Parliament, Chancellor Reeves said she is ‘pushing ahead to create the conditions to secure vital long-term investments in UK infrastructure and support Britain’s economic renewal’.
She added:
“I am determined we do what it takes to get Britain building, unlock private investment and deliver an economy that works for working people – and rewards working people. I look forward to working with Catherine to deliver this.”
