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The Planning Summit 2026

How to get ahead of the government’s drive for a more development-friendly planning system

The UK faces an urgent national challenge: delivering sustainable housing, regenerating our towns, and building infrastructure while balancing economic, social, and environmental pressures.

The Planning Summit is the UK's most important annual gathering for leaders in planning and placemaking, bringing together senior public and private sector figures to debate national policy, share best practice, and find solutions to the built environment's biggest challenges.

Join Planning, DCP, and Compass for exclusive insights into critical topics like fostering a positive planning culture, navigating speculative applications, the future of local and strategic plans, and delivering affordable housing. This is the premier event for shaping tomorrow's communities - be there!

The full agenda is coming soon. It has been carefully curated, drawing on the expertise and cutting-edge perspectives of our industry-leading Advisory Board. Meet the experts driving the debate below.

This event is CPD certified.

Book before 3 April to save £100!

Unparalleled Learning Opportunities

This event offered learning sessions led by industry experts, covering a wide range of critical topics on the planning agenda for the next 12 months. Attendees gained invaluable insights, practical strategies, and the latest updates to stay ahead in their field.

Networking with Industry Leaders

Attendees connected with fellow planning officers, consultants, developers, and planning lawyers to expand their networks and forge meaningful relationships.

With ample networking opportunities built into the agenda, they had the chance to exchange ideas and discuss the challenges the sector faces.

Full Coverage of Key Themes

From levelling up and Net Zero strategies to regulatory revisions and biodiversity net gain, this event covered all the essential themes shaping the future of UK planning.

By attending, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and how to navigate them effectively.

KEY THEMES

The government’s pro-growth planning agenda - How government will drive its reform programme through LPAs and the private sector and how to make sure the reforms work in practice

Strategic planning - How to develop spatial development strategies amid local government re-organisation

Planning in a world of AI- how to deliver genuine community consultation when AI is being used to generate thousands of semi/fake objections

NDMPs and decision-making - How can LPAs and applicants take advantage of NDMPs to make better decisions more quickly (discuss brownfield passports, train station development etc)

Viability and amending consents - achieving deliverable consents with appropriate contributions for local infrastructure and affordable housing, making changes in the light of Hillside (panel)

Planning for nature - Where next for applicants and authorities in preparing for Environmental Delivery Plans and the Nature Restoration Levy

Improving local authority performance - How to speed up decision-making and make a national scheme of delegation work

Town planning for economic growth - Solving utilities and infrastructure issues and how to tackle post consent hold-ups such as sewage and energy connectivity

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Local government authorities, town planners, developers, housing associations, architects, community groups, and more joined together for two days to discuss the most pivotal discussions in planning.
The event was filled with riveting real-life case studies and invaluable opportunities to learn from peers in the industry.
Attendees stepped away from the office and into an environment brimming with innovation, collaboration, and growth.
They elevated their careers and contributed to the future of housing and infrastructure planning.

"Our annual Planning Summit will give you - in one day - a comprehensive overview of the practical steps your organisation can take to get ahead of the government’s planning agenda. Our speakers include government policymakers, senior decision-makers and the local authority chiefs and developers at the frontline of implementing and navigating the system. Join us in central London on 4 June"

Richard Garlic

Editor

Planning