Agenda 2026

DCP + COMPASS Editor Martin Shingler will be leading an AM surgery (9.30 - 1.30) to answer your individual questions.

Richard Garlick

Editor

Planning Resource

Steve Quartermain CBE

A warm welcome to all delegates followed by a thematic overview of the day.

What is the implementation timetable for reforms in the system
How planning culture needs to change to ensure the benefits of reforms can be seen
What government will do to remove blockages to operation of the system

Q&A - Your chance to pose questions to the speakers.

Zack Simons KC

Barrister

Landmark Chambers

How successful have the reforms been in delivering more permissions
How successful have the reforms been in speeding up the system
What difference will remaining reforms in train make, and are any further changes possible or likely

Q&A - Engage with the speaker by asking questions.

Catriona Riddell

Director

Catriona Riddell & Associates Ltd

To what extent planning authorities are responding positively to changes in policy
What local authorities can do instill a positive planning culture
How applicants and LPAs can prevent a big increase in planning by appeal

Moderator: Catriona Riddell, Director, Catriona Riddell & Associates Ltd

Q&A - Your chance to pose questions to the speaker.

Recharge your energy while gaining fresh perspectives, practical insights, and new connections to take back into your planning.

When and how the new plan-making system is going to be rolled out
How the proposed national decision-making policies in the new NPPF can be used to deliver shorter plans
The opportunities and threats that national decision making policies present to applicants and authorities, and how they can best address them

Q&A - Engage with the speaker in a dedicated Q&A session

Refuel, reconnect, and return inspired.

How councils should set up and advise planning committees in an age of objection
What the national scheme of delegation means for LPAs and applicants
How to implement delegation without councillors and local people feeling left out

Q&A - Engage with the speakers in a dedicated Q&A session to gain deeper insight into the topic

Catriona Riddell

Director

Catriona Riddell & Associates Ltd

What to expect and when with regards to the implementation of the new spatial development strategies
What local authorities are doing to begin the development of SDSs and how to engage with them
How SDSs can be progressed alongside imminent local government re-organisation

Q&A - Join the conversation by asking questions and engaging with the speakers and peers.

Dr. Rebecca Moberly

Principal Consultant – Environment,

Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

How does the new system around Environmental Delivery Plans work, how is it being implemented, and how soon might it start to free up the the system
The opportunities and challenges the new system presents to local authorities, and how they should prepare
The opportunities and challenges the new system presents to applicants, and how they should prepare

Q&A - Dedicated time for audience to ask you question to the panel and to engage in a conversation.

How post consent issues are blocking development, and how widespread they are
The impact this is having on development and local plan implementation
What LPAs, applicants and utility companies can do to tackle the blockages

Q&A - Engage with the speakers in a dedicated Q&A session to gain deeper insight into the topic.

How the government’s digital planning programme is going to help LPAs digitise development management
What digitisation means for local plans and local government restructuring
What LPAs applicants and others can do to benefit from the development of AI

Q&A - Engage with the speakers in a dedicated Q&A session to gain deeper insight into the topic.

How LPAs are addressing the rise in AI-generated objections to planning applications
How to engage positively with communities in a world of social media polarisation
Whether software tools can help deal with the rise in representations - of just further reduce engagement

Q&A - Engage with the speakers in a dedicated Q&A session to gain deeper insight into the topic.

More than a break - this is time to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and turn conversations into future opportunities.

Can PINS scale up sufficiently to avoid big delays on appeals as the new system rolls out?
What PINS’ approach to existing local plans going through examination means for LPAs
How PINS will police the new local plan process

This presentation, delivered by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), will outline how the organisation is resourcing and preparing to deliver the government’s planning reform programme. The session will conclude with a dedicated extended audience Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to put questions directly to PINS representatives and explore what the reforms mean in practice. Use Slido to ask your questions.

Nick Cuff

Managing Director

Urban Sketch

What the Hillside judgment affecting ‘drop-in’ permissions has meant for applicants attempting to change their plans
What the implications are of the government’s plans to enable S73B in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, enabling changes to be made
How applicants and LPAs should now approach amending consents

Q&A - Learn more about the topic directly from the speakers.