Bill Berrett, Planner and MKDC Director of Planning 1974 to 1975

Brian Berrett (known as Bill) was born in Birmingham. After Grammar School and an apprenticeship at Crewe Locomotive Works, he moved to work in a local architects’ office. He studied at Birmingham School of Architecture 1950-1955 and then worked for 6 years in Coventry’s Planning Department on the city’s redevelopment. Following a brief period working for Townmaker, on the centre of Oxford, he began to look for another job. Knowing the excellent reputation of Bucks County Council, with Fred Pooley County Architect and Planner, Bill applied for an Architect post there in 1961 and eventually became Fred Pooley’s Personal Assistant, working closely with him on the plan for a new city in North Bucks, which eventually became known as ‘Pooleyville’. In 1968, Bill transferred to MKDC, to work on the new Master Plan for the city.
Bill was employed by MKDC until 1975; he then moved to Auckland, New Zealand four four years. Returning to the UK, he lectured at the University of Leeds 1981-1991 and at the University of Southampton from 1991.