HBF appoints new planning director

Sam Stafford has been appointed as HBF’s new planning director replacing the long-serving Andrew Whitaker who retired last month after 27 years in the role.

Stafford has been a chartered town planner since 2002 and in the early stages of his career worked for Ben Bailey Homes in South Yorkshire before joining a planning and landscape consultancy. Following a move to Ripponden, he worked in Calderdale Council's development control team. The majority of his experience between 2006 and 2014 was in development management as a planning consultant in multi-disciplinary environments.

In 2014 he joined Barratt where as regional strategic land director he worked with the divisional Barratt and David Wilson businesses in the North West and the West Midlands on their strategic land portfolios, engaging with local plans and national planning policy.

Speaking today, HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: “We are delighted to announce that Sam will be joining HBF. He brings a huge wealth of experience and his appointment will further strengthen our team as we work closely with the government on the future reforms. The problems our members are facing with regards to planning are never ending, and it is paramount that we are best placed to help the …