Mr Vincent Leonard was a key planner and architect in Stevenage, from when he joined the Stevenage Development Corporation in 1949 until he retired in 1980. His key role was as an Chief architect from 1954-1962, and afterwards as a consultant until the winding down of the Development Corporation in 1980. One of his key landmarks was the planning of the traffic free town centre in Stevenage and Bowes Lyon. Leonard lived in Stevenage with his family for most of his life.