For almost 40 years, I’ve been immersed in the often complex, occasionally baffling, and frequently entertaining world of planning and development — shaping projects across the UK and internationally. From urban regeneration schemes to the delicate politics of rural communities, I’ve led teams, guided strategy, and tried (with varying success) to keep the process human.
My early years were spent in local government, learning to navigate the planning system from the inside — committee reports, neighbour objections, late-night emails about fence heights. I later moved into private consultancy, where I’ve worked with developers, communities, landowners, councillors and, occasionally, livestock. Over the years, I’ve trained planners, advised clients, and sat through more site visits and committee meetings than is strictly advisable.
Beyond the UK, I serve as Chairman of Dhubha Mine in Zimbabwe — a business my wife and I partly own, alongside fellow directors. It’s a role that combines strategic oversight, governance, and a deep appreciation for working collaboratively across cultures and continents.
In recent years, my focus has broadened to writing — capturing the humour, humanity, and quiet chaos of planning life. On this site, you’ll also find my blog, Planning at the Coalface — a collection of short, sharp observations drawn from decades of frontline planning work. From policy shifts and procedural oddities to neighbour disputes, enforcement drama, and village politics with a twist, it’s my ongoing attempt to document the strange and sometimes strangely moving world of planning, without the jargon and without pulling punches.
My semi-autobiographical Still Standing, Still Planning, Still Daft Enough to Care blends memoir and gentle satire, drawing on decades of experience. That book sparked a new fictional series featuring Alistair Finch — a dry-witted Yorkshire planner navigating livestock-disrupted meetings, enforcement notices with minds of their own, and the eternal push-and-pull between progress and preservation.
The Finch series continues to grow — with more rural misadventures on the way.
I’ve also just released my first children’s book, adding a new audience (and fresh storytelling challenges) to the mix. Away from fiction, I’m currently working on a third semi-autobiographical title — continuing to mine the rich seam of characters, encounters and absurdities that emerge from a lifetime in planning.
I have also written two books so far on technical planning issues. ‘Caravans, Mobile Homes and the Planning System: A Practical Guide for UK Planners: Statutory Definitions, Development Management and Enforcement Explained‘ is aimed principally at my fellow professionals or colleagues in the industry. ‘Beyond the Gate: The Real Guide to Farm Diversification: How to Build Resilient Rural Businesses Without Losing the Farm‘ aims to provide the definitive guide on farm diversification and includes a Diversification Toolkit.
steve hesmondhalgh 