Agenda 2026

Martin Shingler

Editor

DCP & COMPASS

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.

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

Q&A - Engage with the speaker by asking questions

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

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

Refuel, reconnect, and return inspired.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

08:30 - 09:00

Open doors - Registration

09:00 - 09:10

Opening remarks from the editor of Planning

09:10 - 09:20

Chair’s opening remarks

09:20 - 09:45

KEYNOTE: Main govt keynote: How government will drive its reform programme through LPAs and the private sector

09:45 - 10:10

ANALYSIS: What impact are the reforms having? – How have changes to the NPPF, the publication of NDMPs, the enactment of the PIA and all the government’s other reforms impacted the system

10:10 - 10:55

PANEL: Making the reforms work in practice – How local planning authorities and applicants are changing to make the most of the modifications to the system?

10:55 - 11:40

DISCUSSION PANEL: Plan-making in a post NDMP world – How authorities and applicants can make use of new decision-making policies to enable a quicker plan-making process

12:15 - 13:40

Networking Lunch

STREAMS

13:40 - 14:30

Stream A : Planning in a world of AI and social media – How to deliver genuine community consultation in the face of AI-generated fake objections

13:40 - 14:30

Stream B : Strategic planning – How to develop spatial development strategies amid local government re-organisation

13:40 - 14:30

Stream C : Planning for nature – Where next for applicants and authorities in preparing for Environmental Delivery Plans and the Nature Restoration Levy

14:30 - 14:35

Changing Streams

14:35 - 15:25

Workshop A: Unblocking the blockages – How to tackle post consent hold-ups such as sewage and energy connectivity

14:35 - 15:25

Workshop B: Digital planning – How planning authorities and applicants can best take advantage of transformative digital technology

14:35 - 15:25

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

15:25 - 16:00

Afternoon Break

16:00 - 16:40

SPEECH AND AUDIENCE FORUM Q&A: Delivering the system in practice – How the Inspectorate is staffing up to deliver the government’s planning reform programme

16:40 - 17:30

PANEL: Viability and amending consents – achieving deliverable consents with appropriate contributions for local infrastructure and affordable housing, making changes in the light of Hillside

17:30 - 17:35

Chair’s closing remarks