Planning For The Future: Hannah Short Embraces The 'Build Baby Build' Challenge

City & Country is responding to the Government’s call to get Britain building again, and for Senior Planning Manager Hannah Short, it marks a pivotal and exciting period for the housebuilding industry. With major developments underway in locations including Stansted and Kingswood, Surrey, alongside several projects in the pipeline, Hannah plays a central role in bringing forward new homes that reflect City & Country’s commitment to sustainable, design‑led placemaking.

“The change in Government has been significant for the housebuilding industry,” Hannah explains. “New legislation and policy direction have given the planning system a real shake‑up. Particularly at the SME end of the industry, that shift in focus has helped unlock sites that might not otherwise have come forward for development for many years.”

At City & Country, Hannah leads planning strategies that focus on delivering high‑quality developments in sustainable locations. “Our approach is to bring forward great sites while making the most of a positive, pro‑growth planning landscape,” she says. “At the same time, it’s about ensuring proposals are well considered and offer long‑term value to communities.”

The role offers constant variety, something Hannah finds particularly rewarding. “I enjoy talking to different people about our proposals, building positive planning arguments and persuading stakeholders of the wider benefits of sustainable development,” she explains. “I also enjoy the project management side - keeping programmes and budgets on track, while navigating the inevitable curveballs that come with complex planning projects.”

Hannah joined City & Country in early 2025, bringing with her 18 years’ experience across the housebuilding sector, including roles at Countryside, Linden Homes, Vistry Group and Crest Nicholson. Her route into planning was far from conventional. Rather than studying planning at university, she completed a BSc in Construction Management while working as a management trainee.

“I’d always been interested in property,” she says. “I grew up watching Grand Designs and joined a trainee scheme with Countryside straight after my A Levels.” Hannah initially worked as a technical co‑ordinator before moving into planning when an opportunity arose, learning the discipline on the job.

“I love planning because it’s about shaping how developments look and feel,” she adds. “Seeing schemes progress from early visualisations to being built, often after years of work, is incredibly rewarding.”

Moving from volume housebuilders to City & Country’s more premium, heritage‑led developments has further increased Hannah’s job satisfaction. “City & Country has a very different ethos,” she says. “In larger companies, the focus on volume can limit creativity. Here, I have the opportunity to innovate, and I know the schemes I work on will bring genuine value to communities. That’s something I really believe in.”

“At City & Country, design excellence, innovation and the creation of real communities are genuinely at the forefront of everything we do,” Hannah adds. “When promoting our schemes, I feel confident that what we’re offering is truly high‑quality placemaking.”

With a wide‑ranging career already behind her, Hannah is keen to encourage others - particularly women - to explore opportunities within the housebuilding sector. “There’s a perception that it’s a male‑dominated industry, but I’ve always felt welcomed,” she says. “Even early in my career, when I spent a lot of time on site, I was supported and never experienced negative attitudes. I’ve never seen being a woman in the industry as a barrier.”

She continues: “If you’re considering a career in housebuilding, there are so many different roles beyond construction itself. The industry suits a wide range of skillsets, and no two days are the same. With a shortage of young people entering the sector, there’s never been a more important - or exciting - time to get involved. I would really recommend trainee schemes that allow you to experience different departments and understand how the whole business works.”

Reflecting on her time at City & Country so far, Hannah concludes: “I’ve really enjoyed my first year here. I’ve worked on some fascinating projects and I’m part of a great team, which makes all the difference.”