13 March 2009
By Vivienne Russell
Sir Michael Pitt has been named as the preferred candidate to chair the new Infrastructure Planning Commission.
Pitt chaired the national review into the 2007 summer floods and continues to advise the government on the implementation of his recommendations.
He is chair of the NHS South West Strategic Health Authority and chairs a General Medical Council board overseeing the revalidation of doctors practising in the UK. He was formerly chief executive of Kent and Cheshire county councils.
Announcing his nomination, housing minister Margaret Beckett said: ‘I believe Sir Michael has first-class credentials for this important job and has the wide range of experience needed to lead the commission at this challenging time for the organisation.’
Pitt said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity. I am looking forward to assembling the team and working closely with all concerned in order to establish the commission’s new role in a twenty-first century planning process.’
The commission, to be based in Bristol, will make decisions about planning applications of national importance, such as power stations and airport expansions. It will be formally established from October 2009 and exist in interim form ahead of that.
Pitt’s appointment is subject to endorsement by the communities and local government select committee.
The committee is scheduled to question Pitt on his suitability for the post on Monday March 16.
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