Planning for the future: Hannah Short embraces the build baby build challenge

With the Government calling for a renewed push to get Britain building again, it’s a pivotal moment for the housebuilding industry and one that City & Country is actively rising to meet.

At the heart of this momentum is Senior Planning Manager Hannah Short, who joined City & Country in early 2025 and is already playing a key role in shaping the future of several major developments. With projects underway in Stansted and Kingswood, Surrey, and more in the pipeline, Hannah is helping to navigate an evolving planning landscape that’s unlocking new opportunities across the sector.

A changing landscape for housebuilding

Recent political and policy changes have brought a renewed focus on growth within the planning system. For Hannah, this shift is already having a tangible impact.

“New legislation and policies have given the planning system a real shake-up,” she explains. “Particularly at the SME end of the industry, we’re seeing sites being unlocked and brought forward years earlier than they might have been before.”

City & Country’s approach is to embrace this pro-growth environment responsibly, bringing forward high-quality developments in sustainable locations, while ensuring long-term value for both residents and communities.

Balancing strategy, creativity and delivery

For Hannah, the role of planning is as much about people as it is about policy.

“I enjoy talking to people about our proposals, building positive cases and helping stakeholders understand the benefits of sustainable development,” she says. “There’s also the project management side, keeping things on track, managing budgets, and navigating the inevitable curveballs that come with every scheme.”

It’s this combination of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery that makes planning such a dynamic and rewarding career.

A career built on experience, not convention

Hannah’s route into planning wasn’t traditional. Rather than following a planning degree, she began her career through a trainee scheme after completing her A Levels, studying Construction Management while gaining hands-on experience.

“I’d always been interested in property, I grew up watching Grand Designs,” she says. “Starting out as a technical co-ordinator gave me a great foundation, but moving into planning allowed me to be more involved in shaping how developments look and feel.”

Over an 18-year career with major housebuilders including Countryside, Linden Homes, Vistry Group and Crest Nicholson, Hannah developed a broad and valuable skillset before making the move to City & Country.

A different approach to development

Transitioning from volume housebuilding to City & Country’s more design-led approach has been a defining moment in Hannah’s career.

“City & Country has a very different ethos,” she explains. “In larger housebuilding environments, the focus is often on volume, which can limit opportunities for creativity.

“Here, design excellence, innovation and the creation of communities are at the forefront. That makes a huge difference, not just in the work we do, but in how confidently we can promote our schemes as genuinely high-quality places to live.”

Inspiring the next generation

With nearly two decades of experience, Hannah is also passionate about encouraging others, particularly women, to explore careers in housebuilding.

“There’s still a perception that the industry is male-dominated, but I’ve always felt welcomed,” she says. “Even early on, spending time on site, I never experienced negative attitudes.”

She’s keen to highlight the breadth of opportunities available:

“This industry offers so many different career paths, it’s not just about building homes. Whether your strengths are in planning, design, technical, or project management, there’s something for everyone.

“There’s currently a shortage of young people entering the sector, but it’s an incredibly rewarding industry where no two days are the same. Trainee schemes are a great way to explore different roles and understand how the whole business works.”

Looking ahead

Reflecting on her first year at City & Country, Hannah is clear about what makes the role so fulfilling.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, I’ve worked on some exciting projects and I’m part of a great team,” she says.

As the industry continues to evolve, professionals like Hannah are helping to ensure that growth is not just about numbers, but about creating thoughtful, sustainable places that people are proud to call home.