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Registration Open
08:30
09:00 - 09:10
Opening remarks from the editor of Planning
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the National Planning Summit and Planning for Housing, we have combined efforts to bring you a one-stop summit focusing on your housing and infrastructure needs. Join us in 2024 as we recognise innovations, solutions, investments, success, creativity, and the people making it happen in the industry!
09:10 - 09:20
Chair’s opening remarks
A warm welcome to all delegates, followed by a brief summary of the day's main topics.
09:20 - 10:00
MINISTERIAL KEYNOTE: How the government plans to transform the planning system to deliver the right development in the right places
Presentation
- Update on the next set of revisions to the NPPF, due in 2024
- How the government plans to implement the various planning provisions in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act
- How the government intends to change planning for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
09:30 - 12:30
Martin Shingler, the Editor of DCP + COMPASS, will be heading a 1-2-1 drop-in surgery
Drop-in Surgery
10:00 - 11:00
Assessing housing need following the December 2023 NPPF revisions
Panel Discussion
- Understanding how the policy has changed
- What requirements do councils now face, and how has it affected their housing land supply positions?
- What opportunities do the changes offer to developers?
- How to assess an area’s ‘character’, and whether a proposed scheme’s impact on it is acceptable?
Morning Break
11:00 - 11:30
11:30 - 12:00
Governmental Insights on National Development Management Policies
Presentation
- What are the implications of the split between the policy retained in the NPPF and that put in new NDMPs?
- What are the implications of the draft NDMPs for plan-making?
- What restrictions will the new NDMPs put on local authorities when drawing up plans?
12:00 - 12:30
Development Management - How the promised National Development Management Policies will achieve its objectives
Panel Discussion
- What are the implications of the split between the policy retained in the NPPF and that put in new NDMPs?
- What are the implications of the draft NDMPs for plan-making?
- What restrictions will the new NDMPs put on local authorities when drawing up plans?
Lunch
12:45 - 14:00
14:00 - 15:00
1A: Plan-making: How to carry out Green Belt reviews in light of the December revisions to the NPPF?
Workshop
- How the NPPF revisions have changed what green belt development is/is not permissible
- What are the implications for authorities/developers
- In what circumstances will inspectors allow appeals against refusals of applications on green belt, and releases of green belt in local plans
- How can innovative urban planning approaches leverage technology?
14:00 - 15:00
1B: Business and Management: How digitisation of the planning process is progressing, and what it means for developers, LPAs and others
Workshop
- What advancements have been made in digitising the planning process?
- How are developers adapting to the digital transformation of the planning process, and what challenges and opportunities does it present?
- In what ways can local planning authorities leverage digitisation to streamline
15:00 - 16:00
2A: Business and Management: How planning officers, developers and consultants can best work with elected members
Workshop
- How can officers best support members with planning responsibilities?
- How can officers and members avoid a breakdown in relations over contentious applications?
- How can officers and members retain trust in the face of concerted community campaigns?
- The factors that can cause big cost awards against councils as a result of planning appeals.
- How can members and officers work together to avoid them?
- How councillors, developers and other stakeholders can best engage with each other without compromising themselves
- What officers should do when members are not behaving professionally
15:00 - 16:00
2B: Plan-making: How to do sub-regional planning effectively?
Workshop
- Why have some joint development plans succeeded and others failed?
- The proposed replacement for the duty to cooperate - what is it/ might it be, and how should councils approach this challenge in the meantime?
Afternoon Break
16:00 - 16:30
16:30 - 17:30
Development Management: What is the way forward for dealing with the problem of nutrient neutrality?
Roundtable
- How can stakeholders overcome the challenges of nutrient neutrality to facilitate sustainable development?
- Exploring Alternative Approaches: What strategies and frameworks can be employed to promote nutrient neutrality without relying on new legislation?
- How can LPAs and applicants take advantage of the govt’s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme?
- How can LPAs and applicants short-cut the process to demonstrate nutrient neutrality?
- Collaborative Solutions: How can developers, local authorities, and environmental organisations work together to address nutrient neutrality issues and unlock development opportunities?
16:30 - 17:30
Planning for Net Zero
Roundtable
- What differentiate robust energy efficiency standards in local plans from those that are vulnerable to challenge?
Chair’s closing remarks
17:30 - 17:35
Drinks reception
17:40
Thursday - Day 2
Registration Open
09:00
09:20 - 09:30
Chair’s opening remarks
09:30 - 12:30
Martin Shingler, the Editor of DCP + COMPASS, will be heading a 1-2-1 drop-in surgery
Drop-in Surgery
09:30 - 10:00
KEYNOTE: How a Labour government would change the planning landscape
Presentation
- How does the Labour Party plan to increase the availability of affordable housing and address the housing crisis within the national planning framework?
- What strategies does Labour propose to promote sustainability and environmental conservation in urban development and infrastructure projects?
- In what ways does Labour envision enhancing community involvement and social equity in the national planning process?
10:00 - 10:40
Preparing in case of political change: how can planning professionals best equip themselves for the possibility of government transitions?
Panel Discussion
- Policy continuity or overhaul? Exploring the potential impact of government transitions on the planning landscape
- How can planning professionals stay informed about political shifts and anticipate potential changes in policy agendas during government transitions?
- What strategies and skills should planning professionals prioritise to ensure adaptability and resilience amidst evolving political landscapes?
Morning Break
10:40 - 11:25
11:25 - 12:05
How can decision-making in planning be accelerated without compromising quality?
Panel Discussion
- Update on government plans to end Extension of Time agreements, review the role of statutory consultees and extend permitted development rights
- How the Planning Inspectorate plans to accelerate decision-making on appeals?
12:05 - 12:45
Biodiversity Net Gain - Navigating implementation challenges
Case Study
- In the initial six months, how are councils and developers managing biodiversity net gain?
- What significant effects and insights have emerged during this period?
- In dealing with biodiversity net gain, how do developers incorporate methods like offsite mitigation?
- What strategies do developers employ to tackle biodiversity net gain challenges?
- How are councils allocating resources towards biodiversity net gain initiatives?
Lunch
12:45 - 14:00
14:00 - 14:40
1A: How to recruit and retain skilled planning staff?
Workshop
- How can planning departments effectively attract top talent?"
- What strategies can be employed to empower planning professionals through professional growth opportunities and recognition?
- Professional growth and development: empowering planning professionals through training, mentorship, and recognition
- How to boost morale and retention by solving the working from home conundrum
14:00 - 14:40
1B: Plan-making: How the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act will change plan-making?
Workshop
- How will the 30 month time limited system for producing local plans work?
- What implications will the streamlining of evidential requirements have, even if the soundness test remains?
- Implications for developers and local planning authorities?
- How local authorities are approaching plan reviews in light of the new system?
- How do PINS intend to approach plan examination under the new system?
Afternoon Break
14:40 - 15:10
15:10 - 15:50
2A: Plan-making - How to produce a local plan within a limited timescale?
Workshop
- How does submitting a local plan under the existing system differ from the planned new system, with its 30 month limit for plan production?
- How will the system of “gateway checks” work?
- How to build the stakeholder agreement/member buy-in to take the plan forward quickly?
- Optimising resources for expedited local plan submission
15:10 - 15:50
2B: Implementing design codes in planning for enhanced urban development
Workshop
- How are design codes produced, and what steps are involved in their creation?
- What are the implications of LPA-wide codes specifically (required by the LURA)?
- What makes an area-wide design code successful?
15:50 - 16:30
Infrastructure: What differentiate robust energy efficiency standards in local plans from those that are vulnerable to challenge?
Roundtable
Session overview coming soon...
15:50 - 16:30
How to handle the Article 4 Directions that disapplying permitted development regulations within specific areas?
Roundtable
- What are the advantages and drawbacks for councils in implementing Article 4 Directions to control permitted development activities within specific regions?
- How can councils effectively prepare and implement Article 4 Directions, considering legal requirements, consultation processes, and administrative procedures?
- How can developers and landowners ensure their voices are heard during discussions surrounding the consideration of Article 4 Directions, promoting transparency and constructive dialogue?
16:30 - 16:35
Chair’s closing remarks