Steve studied Town and Country Planning, as both an under and post-graduate, before gaining extensive practical expertise in respect of a broad range of planning related issues - becoming a specialist in the delivery of sustainable growth, conservation practice, retail planning policy and urban and rural regeneration issues.

After working for several local planning authorities all across the country Steve was appointed as Head of Planning at Huntingdonshire District Council in 2005 – subsequently becoming their Assistant Director Environment, Growth and Planning in 2013 – and thereby taking on responsibility for both strategic housing and transportation. He now spends most of his time trying to direct regional and sub-regional growth pressures, delivering their Enterprise Zone, supporting market town regeneration initiatives and looking to secure funding for new infrastructure.

Steve is a corporate member of the RTPI and is currently the eastern region convenor and a cabinet member for the Planning Officers Society - and he most recently contributed, as one of his expert advisors, to Lord Taylor’s review of National Planning Policy Guidance.