Planning Futures

Chair - To be Announced

For this edition of the Planning Futures "in Conversation" series we are delighted to be joined by Joanna Averley, the Chief Planner at MHCLG. Ms Averley has over 30 years’ experience working across government, major projects and with local authorities. She has been involved in all aspects of planning research, policy, practice and project delivery. 

The session will focus on the emerging policy environment and the department’s expectations from the sector.

Ms Averley will be invited to make an opening statement of approximately ten minutes followed by questions from the Chair and from the floor. 

Labour’s landslide victory in last year’s General Election ushered in a new generation of MPs for whom the housing crisis represents one of the most urgent political issues of our times.

Since July of last year, Chris Curtis MP has been one of the most outspoken voices on housing – both in Parliament, where he has made many contributions to debates relating planning and housing legislation, and through his campaigning work and public appearances.

One of Labour’s quintessential Yimbys, we are delighted to be joined by Mr Curtis for this edition of the Planning Futures Supper Club.

Following the usual Supper Club format, Mr Curtis will give an after-dinner speech outlining his work, in Parliament and beyond, to drive forward the delivery of new housing across all tenures and the challenges that he sees ahead.

Chair - Richard Harwood OBE KC

As the Chief Planning Inspector at the Planning Inspectorate, Richard Schofield has oversite of the system that deals with planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications and the examination of local plans.

This is a system that is arguably at it’s most visible when things go wrong, when planning decisions are contested and when local plans do not meet the standards set out in government policy and legislation.

The Planning inspectorate therefore, not only has an important role as arbiter but also enjoys a
unique vantage point on the broader planning system – a sense of where things go wrong and an insight into both good and bad decision making at every stage of the planning process.

This In Conversation session will explore this insight in terms of both the decision making and plan making processes and will consider how applicants and local authorities can avoid making mistakes and contribute towards good decision making.

Mr Schofield will be invited to make an opening statement of approximately ten minutes followed by questions from the Chair and from the floor

Planning Futures

is delighted to join with its 2024/2025 programme sponsors

hgh Consulting and the Vistry Group

to bring you

The 7th Annual Parliamentary Reception in the House of Lords

The sponsoring peer for the event will be Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

This Reception is for invited guests only