WYG boosts planning offer with director hire

Consultancy WYG has appointed Matthew Good as planning director, housing & economics; a newly created role focussing on housing need and delivery.

Good will lead on objectively assessed housing need work nationally and will also help to grow WYG’s planning business in the north.

He was formerly planning manager for the northern regions at the Home Builders Federation, representing HBF members’ interests on all aspects of town planning. He also participated in over 50 public examinations on issues of housing need and delivery.

Before joining the HBF, he worked for three different local authorities in the north in development management, planning policy and community involvement. He has sat on Local Enterprise Partnership housing boards and has been a member of the Housing the Powerhouse campaign group in Greater Manchester.

WYG planning director Simon Chadwick said: “Matthew will be able to provide our clients with his expertise in relation to housing requirements and objectively assessed need, particularly when it comes to challenging Local Plans and core strategies at examinations.

“He has a wealth of experience advising housebuilders and we welcome him to our team.”

WYG has planning teams in 18 of its 25 UK offices. The firm has bases in Carlisle, Chorley, Cockermouth, Liverpool, Manchester and Mold.