New Interim Director of Planning at Lewisham Council

Lewisham Council has appointed an Interim Director of Planning as Emma Talbot, the council’s longstanding lead planner is to leave her position shortly.

The news was revealed following a public question asked by the chair of the Bell Green Neighbourhood Forum, Julia Webb at the full council meeting on 12th July 2023.

PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 26
12 July 2023
Question asked by: Julia Webb
Relevant Directorate: Housing, Regeneration and Public Realm
Member to reply: Councillor Brenda Dacres

Question
Given the departure of the Director of Planning while Lewisham is relying on delegated power, how will the new slimmed-down Planning Committee system cope? As there are vacant posts in the planning department, will an external and experienced acting director be appointed?

Reply
An interim Director of Planning has been appointed and is working alongside the current Director to ensure a smooth transition as she departs. There are no concerns about the ability of the Service to cope with making delegated decisions during this period.

Public Questions at Full Council meeting held on 12th July 2023

Ms Webb attended the meeting and Cllr Brenda Dacres, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Planning said that Nick Fenwick had been working alongside the current director for “three weeks” and this was “a good overlap”.

Nick Fenwick is a well travelled and experienced local authority planner who has worked in many authorities including:

• Director of Planning (Interim) Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Sep 2022 – Jul 2023, 11 months
• Director of Place /Assistant Director – Planning and Placeshaping (Interim) Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Mar 2021 – Sep 2022, 1 year 7 months, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
• Director of Planning and Development (Interim) London Borough of Newham Mar 2020 – Dec 2020, 10 months
• Planning Consultant Smith Jenkins Town Planning Sep 2019 – Feb 2020, 6 months, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
• Deputy Managing Director and Director of Place Watford Borough Council Dec 2016 – Sep 2019, 2 years 10 months, Watford, United Kingdom

Nick Fenwick’s social media states he is now working for Lewisham Council.