![](https://debatingmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Shelagh-McNerney-2-1024x1024.jpeg)
architecture, urban development, and town planning professional
With 35 years extensive, practical experience working between local authorities & businesses in the realms of architecture, urban development, town planning & construction, Shelagh McNerney is now also writing & undertaking the highly regarded MA in architectural history at Bartlett School at University College London. She is focussing on developing her engaging, provocative and open approach to personal, political and creative themes.
As well as leading the delivery of development & regeneration, Shelagh has undertaken research & written for think tanks, academic institutions, developers, construction & architecture companies & local authorities within the political & economic context. She is pro-development, actively involved in contemporary debate about the built environment & economic growth in the UK & believes how building comes about is “the ultimate form of human self-expression”.
She has led professional teams of property experts, developers, planners, architects, artists & businesses in many towns & cities alongside politicians working within Manchester & Salford City Councils along with over 10 years in the private sector. She is a fervent advocate for quality in architecture & socio-economic improvements for communities.
She trained as a town planner in the mid 1980’s at Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London gaining an M.Phil. & was the winner of the Holford Travel Award. She also has a postgraduate diploma in Built Environment Research from the University of Salford (2017) & continues academic interests, studying for the renowned M.A. in Architectural History at University College London. Shelagh is a design review panel member for RIBA “Places Matter” & occasionally teaches in Higher Education & also undertakes consultancy work as well as a regular judge on construction & property awards in North West England.