Panel: Hannah David – Planning Futures (chair); Dr Doug McNab – LUC; Rachel Fisher – DEFRA; Celina Colquhoun – 39 Essex Chambers 

In recent years, a series of new policies and guidelines have been introduced to increase the protection and enhancement of the natural environment through the planning process.

In addition to the measures around biodiversity introduced through the Environment Act 2021, Natural England has this year issued fresh guidance on nutrient neutrality and has issued a number of local authorities with guidance on the issue of water neutrality.

These interventions have occurred against the backdrop of greater interest in environmental issues – both on behalf of the general public and of policy makers.  In the aftermath of last year’s COP 26 in Glasgow, this interest is likely to increase, with the emerging environmental agenda having an ever-greater influence on the planning and development sectors.

This event looks to the future and asks: How will this emergent environmentalism shape planning and development as the 2020s progress?

It will consider the overall costs and opportunities posed by the emerging environmental agenda; how the regulatory regime is likely to evolve; and how the built environment sector will have to adapt in the short, medium, and long term.

This event is essential for all built environment professionals who wish to understand how the development sector will evolve in response to new environmental imperatives.