Lancaster regeneration chief retires

Andrew Dobson, head of regeneration and planning at Lancaster City Council, is to step down this Friday. The local authority said that discussions are taking place over the future management of the service.

Dobson joined the city council in 2002 from Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council, later absorbed into Cheshire East, where he had been responsible for the allocation of sites which will now become the HS2 interchange.

In his time at Lancaster, Dobson negotiated the redevelopment of the Lancaster Moor Hospital site and the Lancaster University Health Innovation Campus, and was responsible for the successful bid to establish the Bailrigg garden village, announced in January 2017 as part of the government’s plan to create 48,000 homes in 14 new settlements.  ,

Cllr Janice Hanson, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Andrew. His dedication and support to the council has been unparalleled and he has played a significant role in the development of our district.

“I will miss his wise words and counsel and wish him a long and happy retirement.”

Dobson said: “It has been an absolute privilege to serve the people of the Lancaster district for the last 16 years.

“The district is at the cusp of a renaissance with so many truly transformative projects on the horizon. I leave with many fond memories and confident that the future is bright.”