Huge congratulations to Jenny Pierce from East Herts District Council and the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town team who has been named by The Planner magazine as a Woman of Influence for 2024.
Jenny is the third member of the Garden Town team to be recognised by The Planner with HGGT Director Naisha Polaine making last year’s list that celebrates the impact of women on planning and planners planning and Tanusha Waters (Harlow Council) in 2022.
Read Jenny’s citation in full below:
“Stepping up into the role from her previous post in the team that developed the strategic policy for a new garden town site, Jenny is now team leader for the Gilston area in East Herts and is at the heart of a project that spans two strategic crossings of the Stort Valley, seven new villages, over 600 hectares of new parkland and open space, plus a full range of supporting development and infrastructure.
“A key part of her role is case officer for the permissions for the crossings that were granted in 2022 and successfully upheld at judicial review and subsequent appeal.
“She has also obtained resolution to grant outline planning permission for 8,500 and 1,500 homes in 2023 and the legal agreement and permissions for the much-needed new homes are due to be issued in 2024.
“Jenny demonstrably and successfully collaborates with a vast range of stakeholders, including the local community and a very active neighbourhood plan group, two developers and four garden town partner authorities.
“She acts as the linchpin between these groups, consistently listening to all parties, understanding their different perspectives and always balancing interests for the overall public good.
“Jenny is actively developing and mentoring the team around her to share her expertise and in readiness for the implementation stage of the project which will call for more resource.
“Planning a new town is a career-defining project for any town planner and Jenny has stepped outside her comfort zone to lead the process in a variety of roles.
“In doing so, she has brought her unique personal qualities to the role, driving up the standard of development, making it a shared endeavour and inspiring all who work with her in the process.”
