Liz Hobden

Liz joined the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) as principal consultant in October 2023. During her time at PAS, she’s supported the capacity and capability programme and provided development management advice. She’s currently the lead on Local Plans and is piloting a national planning mentoring framework.

Liz has extensive experience as a practitioner in the local government sector with over 25 years as a manager. Most recently, she was Head of Planning at Brighton & Hove (from 2017-2023) leading development management service recovery, introducing culture change (with a focus on staff recruitment and retention) and helping to secure investment in the city. 

She has extensive experience in development management and plan-making, at both Brent and Brighton & Hove, all in a complex political environment.   

Liz is particularly proud of achieving a turnaround in the performance of Brighton & Hove DM Service and putting tall buildings advice and the City Plan in place leading to a surge in investment in Brighton & Hove. 

Previously, Liz has chaired the West Sussex and Greater Brighton Planning Officer Group, a strategic planning group for the area. She currently sits on the RTPI Partnership Board for the University of Brighton and has been a mentor to students and planners. Liz has also been a PAS Planning Peer at a number Planning Peer Challenges.