November 2025
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined next steps for the planning system and provision for environmental protection in England.
Drawing on recent developments in strategy, planning and regulation of land use, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship, delegates assessed priorities for advancing ambitions for growth and housing delivery, alongside environmental safeguards.
Planning reform, housing, infrastructure & nature protections
It brought policymakers and stakeholders together to assess implications of recent legislative and regulatory changes, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as it continues its passage through Parliament, and recent consultations on reform to Biodiversity Net Gain policy and Environmental Permitting Regulations. Areas for discussion included implications for housing and infrastructure delivery goals, alongside priorities for maintaining effective nature protections and clear, workable frameworks for developers.
Updates to the National Planning Policy Framework were considered, as well as proposed reform to BNG requirements, and evolving priorities associated with both the Levelling Up Fund and Environmental Improvement Plan, following its annual progress report. Discussion focused on funding security for nature recovery and the capacity of local authorities to manage delivery.
Regulation, funding, Natural England & circular economy aims
Delegates considered the way forward for coordinating and enforcing environmental regulation, including the roles of regulatory bodies and the targeting of £500m in funding for environmental planning reform.
Priorities for Natural England were discussed, including in designing and delivering Environmental Development Plans, alignment with wider spatial strategies and fostering collaboration with local authorities and environmental groups, as well as issues raised around resources, responsibilities and proportionality in enforcement. The role of planning in supporting circular economy goals, including waste management reforms, was also considered.
Fast-track infrastructure & biodiversity policy
Further sessions assessed further focus on balancing environmental priorities with the need for development. The Government’s commitment to fast-tracking major infrastructure decisions under the UK’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and the role of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority in environmental regulation were examined.
Biodiversity policy, including the future of biodiversity credits and implementation of the Nature Restoration Fund, were also discussed, looking at implications for local authorities, developers, and landowners. Areas for discussion included market capacity, the stability of supply chains, long-term stewardship, and the role of the Nature Market Accelerator and £1bn target for nature recovery. Attendees also considered concerns around shifting responsibilities between local authorities and central government in planning and consenting, as well as restricted opportunities for judicial review.
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those who attended include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for Transport; Department for Business and Trade; Environment Agency; Office for Environmental Protection; HM Treasury; National Infrastructure Commission; Ofwat; Forestry Commission; Government Legal Department; National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority; National Audit Office; Active Travel England; Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; and The Scottish Government.
