Reeves’s planning overhaul stalls as senior adviser leaves after four months

Howard is understood to have warned the government against pushing ahead with some of its more radical proposals to sweep aside planning regulations. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA

Rachel Reeves’s attempts to overhaul Britain’s planning laws have been dealt a blow after a senior lawyer whom she appointed as an adviser decided to leave the government after just four months.

Catherine Howard will leave the Treasury when her contract ends on 1 January, despite having been asked informally to stay on indefinitely.