NPA chief planner Steve Avery has left the authority

THE national park authority’s executive director of strategy and planning Steve Avery has left the authority for a new role at the Planning Officer’s Society.

Steve joined the New Forest NPA in spring 2006 when the authority assumed its statutory planning responsibilities for the national park area.

Prior to joining the NPA he had worked at New Forest District Council for eight years. Steve originally joined the NPA as the head of development control, before moving into the director of park services role and then, since 2013, he has been executive director of strategy and planning.

A spokesperson for the NPA said: “Steve will be continuing to support the delivery of planning through his role as regional co-ordinator at the Planning Officers’ Society which represents public sector planners in England.”

Following Steve’s departure, David Illsley has been appointed as interim head of planning and place. David has worked at the NPA since 2005 and has been the authority’s policy and conservation manager since 2009, working closely alongside Steve.

Steve currently chairs the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Management Board and Activities Committee for the South East Region.