Westminster City Council today confirmed that Rosemarie MacQueen will be its new director of planning and city development.

MacQueen replaces Gordon Chard, who announced his retirement in January after 19 years with the council.

MacQueen is currently the council's head of city development and has more than 33 years of experience in planning and regeneration.

Her appointment is effective immediately. MacQueen said: ‘It’s a great honour to lead the council's planning department and I am excited about the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.’

MacQueen has worked for Westminster City Council since 1979, although she spent four years in the private sector before returning to the council in 1986.