Simon Challis

I started working as Section 106 and CIL Lead at NHS England & NHS Improvement in January 2022. I previously worked as Strategic Development Officer at Lincolnshire County Council. The post involved leading on housing developer contributions relating to education; including, but not limited to, development of policy, assessment of the impact of housing developments and subsequent s.106 negotiations, and commentary on local plans as a key infrastructure consultee. The other half of the role involved acting for Corporate Property in relation to LCC's own estate, both in terms of freeholds and leased properties. I acted as deputy to the head of service in relation to the outsourced estates contract, ensuring that any problems are appropriately and expediently resolved, preferably in an amicable way. Specific elements of this half of the role centred around ensuring programmes of work were progressed (for example the disposal of surplus assets), assessing potential future uses for assets including options appraisals and business cases, writing funding bids and subsequently working with central government on funding bids for the delivery of housing and other infrastructure. Formerly, my role was Planning Enforcement Officer for Lincolnshire County Council. This is an investigatory and enforcement based role, ensuring that only lawful development continues throughout the County. I gained experience in waste and minerals planning, and enforcing against breaches of planning permissions and unauthorised development. I carried my own case load of both investigations and monitoring sites, leading me to use my time effectively in order to meet associated deadlines. I have completed the Trevor Roberts Associates Certificate in Planning Enforcement, providing me with a good base knowledge of the legalities around both planning and enforcement of planning law. My experience includes drafting planning contravention notices, working with enforcement and breach of condition notices, and negotiation. In my time in the role, I drafted and served formal notices, and took forward a number of prosecutions to court leading to criminal convictions on two occasions.