Prominent planning and regeneration expert Clive Dutton dies after long battle with cancer

Clive Dutton, the planning and regeneration expert behind the transformation of east London and Birmingham, has died aged 62. He had been suffering from cancer.

Known as one of the foremost regeneration experts in the UK, Dutton was behind Birmingham’s Big City Plan which helped rejuvenate the entire city centre through the redevelopment of New Street Station, Paradise Circus and the replacement of John Madin’s Central Library.

Dutton joined Birmingham City Council in 2005 as director of planning and regeneration. In his four years at the authority he successfully expanded the city centre core from 80 hectares to 800 and has been credited as single-handedly doing more to change the perception of Birmingham than any other individual. 

Following his success at Birmingham, Dutton worked for Newham council overseeing the inward investment in Stratford prior to the 2012 Olympic Games - including the Stratford Metropolitan Masterplan and the Westfield Shopping Centre - before beginning his own consultancy and winning work on Belfast’s Gaeltract Quarter.

His work in Belfast included the ‘Dutton Report’ which helped re-shape the west side of the city following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Make founder Ken Shuttleworth called Dutton an “inspiration who would be sadly missed”.

His colleague John Prevc added: “We first met Clive in 2005 during the early design stages of The Cube building in Birmingham… His encouragement and clarity of thought helped steer the design through the planning process, allowing us the creative freedom to develop a landmark for the city. His support will never be forgotten.”

Local Labour MP for Northfield Richard Burden said: “Sad to hear that Clive Dutton has died. We differed over approaches to Brum regeneration but he was friendly, approachable & we got on well.”

Dutton received the OBE for services to urban regeneration in 1998.



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