Day 1: Changing policy, Project Speed and successfully creating your application
08:45 to
17:20
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Gideon Amos OBE.
Managing Director.
Amos Ellis Consulting.
Part 1: Latest policy changes impacting the Planning Act 2008 regime and speeding up the process
09:40 to
12:40
The future of major infrastructure planning: updates on Project Speed and wider policy changes impacting the NSIP process
09:40 to
10:05
- Latest insight on Project Speed
- Aims of Faster, Better and Greener
- Updates on both the Environment and Planning Bills
- What do reforms mean for major infrastructure planning?
- Next steps and timelines
Speaker:
Jenny Preece.
Deputy Director – Planning.
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Planning Inspectorate update: latest updates and guidance
10:05 to
10:30
- Latest advice and guidance for 2022
- Project Speed update
- Projects expected
- Are the numbers of projects increasing and what is the impact?
Speaker:
Susannah Guest.
Operations Lead – Project Speed.
Planning Inspectorate.
Panel discussion: Speeding up the NSIP process – what is possible and how can it be achieved?
10:30 to
11:10
- Where are the opportunities to speed up the process? What changes are needed?
- Learnings so far from Project Speed pilots
- Shortening pre-application – the risks and delays that could affect other areas
- Who will be most impacted by speeding up the process?
- Can different projects be sped up in the same way? What are the challenges for more complex schemes?
- Is there anything that isn’t being covered by the pilots and won’t be comparable for future projects?
Speakers:
Stewart Patience.
DCO Programme Manager.
National Highways.
Philip Ridley.
Head of Planning and Coastal Management.
East Suffolk Council.
Duncan O'Connor.
Partner.
BDB Pitmans.
Case study: speeding up pre-application
11:40 to
12:05
- How time savings have been achieved
- What have been the impacts?
Speakers:
Monica Corso Griffiths.
A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project Head of Design and Development Consent Order.
National Highways.
Andy Johnson.
AmeyArup Project Director.
A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project.
Part 2: Latest national policy statement updates and case making
12:05 to
13:55
National policy statements – where are we now?
12:05 to
12:30
- Which NPS are being updated, what’s changing and what are the timelines?
- Which NPS aren’t being reviewed and what is the impact of this?
- The need for NPS alignment with new environmental requirements and technological innovation
- Are the proposed NPS updates enough?
Speaker:
Liz Dunn.
Partner.
Burges Salmon.
Case making: successfully demonstrating the need for projects
12:30 to
12:55
- Demonstrating the need for a project through case making
- Conducting project development with no or an outdated NPS
- Embedding case making into your application
Speaker:
Will Spencer.
Infrastructure and Environmental Planning Associate.
Barton Willmore.
Part 3: Meeting net zero targets and environmental requirements
13:55 to
15:40
Update on environmental assessment policy and guidance for project development
13:55 to
14:20
- Latest impact assessment policy and guidance
- Assessing the environmental impact of new projects
- Future trends and pitfalls for carrying out EIA
Speaker:
Dr Rufus Howard.
Impact Assessment Lead.
IEMA.
Achieving net zero – practical strategies to reduce carbon emissions and meet climate change targets
14:20 to
14:45
- Different carbon offsetting methods and how to include them in your project
- What will new technologies and energy schemes mean for NSIPs? What types of technologies will be used and how will these be included in applications?
- Benefits of carbon capture, hydrogen and other renewable resources
Speaker:
Grant Douglas.
Senior Planning & Environmental Policy Manager.
ScottishPower Renewables.
Practically measuring and implementing biodiversity net gain into your project application
14:45 to
15:10
- What does the new requirement for biodiversity net gain mean for NSIPs? How is it being included now?
- New DEFRA metric and measuring BNG
- Compensatory planting – calculating the value of land correctly
- Managing NSIPs increasing need for land acquisition – how can this be done?
Speakers:
Claire Wansbury.
Associate Director, Ecology: Infrastructure.
Atkins.
Nick White.
Principal Adviser – Net Gain.
Natural England.
Part 4: Engaging with statutory consultees and communities
15:40 to
17:20
Early engagement with local authorities and their role throughout project development
15:40 to
16:05
- Benefitting from local knowledge and community relationships
- Identifying the expertise and resources needed for different projects
- Changing role of local authorities throughout project development
- Early agreement of PPA to provide timelines for both local authorities and promoters
Speakers:
Philip Ridley.
Head of Planning and Coastal Management.
East Suffolk Council.
Carly Vince.
Chief Planning Officer.
EDF Energy.
Consultation and engagement: The challenges of communication in a post-pandemic world
16:05 to
16:30
- How might the political debate in this country shape the NSIP regime?
- How can we build more local confidence in the NSIP regime?
- Has consultation turned into interrogation?
- How can a different approach to communication accelerate the delivery of NSIPs?
Speaker:
Alexis Krachai.
Managing Director.
Counter Context.
Panel discussion: What is the future of infrastructure in a changing world - what infrastructure is needed and how to plan for this?
16:30 to
17:10
- Impact of recent climate change reports on infrastructure development
- What is the infrastructure of the future and are we correctly planning for this now?
- Climate change and changing weather - how to plan for more resilient infrastructure
- Are the projects being planned now fit for purpose over the next 20-30 years? Can schemes be modified and is resilience being built in?
- Is current infrastructure planning in line with public expectations and awareness? The impact of climate change awareness
Speakers:
Alister Kratt.
Director.
LDA Design.
Colin Turnbull.
Partner - Planning.
DWD.