New planning chief at Thurrock Council (From Thurrock Gazette)

New planning chief at Thurrock Council

3:00pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in News

A NEW man is at the helm of planning at Thurrock Council.

David Bull has taken over from Bill Newman as the authority’s director of planning and transportation, following a ten year spell with Birmingham City Council, where he was the director for sustainability, transportation, employment and partnerships.

Thurrock Council’s chief executive, Graham Farrant, said: “In his time at Birmingham, David led a number of high profile initiatives, working with stakeholders, politicians and ministers on projects.

"These included infrastructure investment on major highways, New Street Station and Metro in the City Centre; transport strategy for the Local Enterprise Partnership; the High Speed 2 rail link; and their Big City Plan and Vision for Movement, outlining how transport infrastructure which is to be used to enable development in the Enterprise Zone and across the city.

“He also had a pivotal role in securing Regional Growth Fund bids.

“All of this experience can be put to work helping Thurrock make the most of its regeneration plans, London Gateway, the Port of Tilbury, Grays town centre, Lakeside and, of course, Purfleet.”

Mr Bull said he is excited at the regeneration plans for Thurrock.

He said: “There can be nowhere in the country where so many differing and different regeneration schemes are housed in such a compact area.

“Thurrock’s challenges are unique, wide-ranging and really exciting.

“If we get this right – and I’m sure we will – we will make Thurrock a fundamental and key part of the nation’s future.

“Great Britain plc needs Thurrock to be an exciting and a thriving hub for business.

“But that can’t happen without the linked and necessary infrastructure in place and in place in time. I am determined that this will happen.”