Government’s architecture head steps down

Former boss of housing architect PRP, Andy von Bradsky, is set to step down from his role as the communities department’s head of architecture.

In an email seen by Housing Today’s sister publication, Building, von Bradsky, who was bought into the £60,000 a year in-house role in 2019, confirmed he will leave the department on 23 July.

Prior to this, the former PRP boss worked for the housing department as a consultant for three years.

In his time at the department, von Bradsky has played an instrumental role in the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and, more recently, its increasing focus on improving housing design.

However, his departure comes as the department remains under fire for new planning policies which critics say will dramatically reduce housing quality, such as the huge expansion in permitted development rights.

Building understands the department will advertise for a replacement in the next few weeks, with the successful candidate working under the direction of chief planner Joanna Averley.

Von Bradsky said he was leaving to “pursue other areas of interest” adding that now was an appropriate time to step down because the national model design code, national design guide as well as other design related guidance on initiatives such as estate regeneration and Home of 2030 had been completed.

A spokesperson for the communities department said: “Andy von Bradsky has decided to step down as Head of Architecture after five years’ service at MHCLG, having completed a number of significant projects including the National Model Design Code, National Design Guide, and estate regeneration strategies. We thank Andy for his hard work delivering on a range of important reforms and wish him well for the future. ”

“We hope to appoint a replacement over the summer.”