Planning Futures

Panel: Hannah David - Planning Futures (chair); Nick White - Natural England; Grace Pinault - Dentons; Richard Crawley - Planning Advisory Service; Sean Rooney - Environment Bank 

The first anniversary of the new biodiversity net gain (BNG) regime saw the publication of a range of articles and reports on how the new system, designed to boost the natural ecology of development sites, has fared over the last twelve months.

Whilst it may take some time to evaluate the long-term effects of the policy, and the extent to which it will achieve its objectives, it is clear that some stakeholders have experienced issues in terms of early implementation.

Several sources have cited capacity problems both within the public and private sector. Some local authorities have reported a scarcity of in house ecology skills, whilst both councils and private sector firms have raised concerns about the availability of suitably qualified consultants.
Some have raised concerned about the availability of off-site provision, and the capacity of the market for BNG credits to meet the demand created by the new system. Whilst others have cited confusion about how the policy is supposed to work in practice, with the NAO arguing that the policy was launched before “having all the elements in place” for success.

Nevertheless, the overall policy and its goals still command significant cross-sector support, and with last year’s change in government, there has been no indication that the new BNG rules will be scrapped.

As we look forward to year 2 of mandatory BNG, this event, certified by the CPD Certification Service, will bring together key experts to discuss the lessons learned to date and the shape of things to come for biodiversity net gain.

It will consider:

• The way in which the new BNG regime has been understood by all planning stakeholders, any issues of interpretation or ambiguity that have arisen, and the need for any further clarification and policy guidance from government.
• Any ongoing capacity issues, and how these might be resolved over the short to medium term.
• The challenges that will need to be overcome by both public and private sector stakeholders as the system beds in further over the coming years.

*Special Edition* - Supper Club for Public Sector planners

With planning reform at the centre of the Government’s growth agenda, local authority planning is now at the forefront of efforts to secure prosperity for communities across the country.

Following a steady stream of policy proposals and announcements over the last nine months, this is both a moment of opportunity and challenge for those working in public sector planning as they seek to navigate the emerging policy environment and deliver on the promise of planning as a driver of sustainable development in the public interest.

This event will bring together a group of the most senior planners at local authorities located in London and the broader South East of England to discuss how new and emerging policy is informing planning practice at the coalface.

Featuring an after dinner speech and discussion led by William Burgon, Director of Planning at MHCLG, the event will explore the direction of travel for emerging government policy and the work that local authority planners are doing on delivering the national agenda whilst securing local priorities.

Following the usual Supper Club format, the event will allow for a two way conversation – both allowing Mr Burgon to set out the Government’s ambition and to hear the views of some of the leading voices in local government planning.

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