Anna replaces Alice Lester, who has since taken up a planning role at Brent Council.

In 2007, Anna became head of planning and culture at Rugby Borough Council before moving to Milton Keynes Council in 2014.

Anna is the president of the Planning Officers Society, a PAS peer reviewer and board member, and an active member of the Town and Country Planning Association.

Anna said: “This is a really exciting time to be heading up the Planning Advisory Service.

“Planning services are suffering from a lack of capacity and yet there is so much to do.

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“I will work with the PAS team to provide resources that will free up time for planners to focus on the really important and interesting agenda we have to deliver.”

Cllr Stephen Parker, chairman of the PAS, said: “Anna is well respected within the planning community and her wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise will be invaluable in continuing the great work of the Planning Advisory Service.

“I welcome Anna to the PAS team and look forward to working with her to continue to provide high-quality help, advice and support to councils up and down the country.”