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Registration and refreshments
08:45  to  09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30  to  09:40
Speaker:
Dr Roisin Willmott OBE. RTPI Director of Wales and Northern Ireland. Royal Town Planning Institute.
Keynote address: Planning and Environment Decisions Wales – current planning priorities and guidance when submitting a project application
09:40  to  10:00
  • Updates to Planning Inspectorate becoming Planning and Environment Decisions Wales
  • Engaging with PEDW
  • Requirements for DNS applications under current policy
  • Important considerations prior to application submission
Speaker:
Tony Thickett. Head of Planning and Environment Decisions Wales. Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.
Part 1: How is current policy supporting infrastructure development? The introduction of Future Wales - its impact on planning and development and how it fits with existing policy
09:40  to  11:50
The impact of current policy and consenting regimes on infrastructure planning and development
10:00  to  10:20
  • The relationship between different planning policy and consenting routes in Wales - Developments of National Significance, Future Wales and Planning Policy Wales 11
  • What are the planning requirements for new infrastructure and how to meet these?
Speaker:
Liz Dunn. Partner. Burges Salmon.
Key issues in DNS decision-making for infrastructure and energy projects in Wales
10:20  to  10:40
  • DNS – the statistics
  • the key policies in Future Wales for decision-making on energy projects
  • recent decisions and policy interpretation
Speaker:
Ben Lewis. Infrastructure and Energy Director. Barton Willmore.
Morning break and networking
10:40  to  11:10
Panel discussion: Planning for new infrastructure under the current system - how to practically deliver infrastructure and overcome current barriers
11:10  to  11:50
  • What are the biggest challenges currently facing planning for new infrastructure and what are the solutions?
  • Is current planning policy encouraging project development or are further changes needed?
  • What types of infrastructure projects does Wales need in the future and how to encourage development?
  • The role of renewables and how to support development
  • Understanding the value of pre-assessed areas in Future Wales
Speakers:
Simon Chamberlayne. Head of Planning. Enso Energy.
David Thomas. Energy Director. Savills.
David Brown. Associate Planner. Arup.
Part 2: Overcoming current grid capacity challenges and how to improve time to secure a connection
11:50  to  12:50
Innovation in achieving grid connections and expanding the reach of the network
11:50  to  12:10
  • Current innovations in delivering cheaper, faster connections to overcome grid capacity constraints
  • Coping with demand from national infrastructure – what are the plans? 
  • Preparing for increased demand from local developments and electric vehicles
  • Timeline on expansion and locations of the network
Speaker:
Rachel Shorney. Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager. SP Energy Networks.
Panel discussion: What are the challenges facing network expansion? Projects and technology providing solutions to grid capacity constraints
12:10  to  12:50
  • Battery storage solutions and possible use with solar farms and other schemes
  • Are developers looking at creating private networks outside the grid? How can these be delivered?
  • Difficulties associated with network expansion into mid-Wales
  • Rethinking the issue: has the construction of new grid infrastructure slowed due to a reduction in the number of infrastructure projects being delivered? 
Speakers:
Rachel Shorney. Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager. SP Energy Networks.
Louise Jones. Knowledge Transfer Manager – Energy Systems. KTN.
Networking lunch and optional drop in session
12:50  to  13:50

Drop in session - Consenting "surgery" Q&A session with Liz Dunn and Ben Lewis - a chance to ask your questions regarding infrastructure consenting in Wales

Speakers:
Liz Dunn. Partner. Burges Salmon.
Ben Lewis. Infrastructure and Energy Director. Barton Willmore.
Part 3: Overcoming environmental challenges and meeting decarbonisation targets when planning new infrastructure
13:50  to  15:00
Engaging with Natural Resources Wales and the benefits of incorporating biodiversity requirements in your planning application
13:50  to  14:20
  • Changing relationship throughout the application process – engagement and support at pre-application, application and post consent 
  • How and when to engage with Natural Resources Wales
  • The requirements and importance of biodiversity under new planning policy
  • Practically delivering positive biodiversity
Speaker:
Keith Davies. Head of Sustainable Places Land and Sea. Natural Resources Wales.
Panel discussion: What are the challenges to meeting updated decarbonisation targets while delivering new infrastructure? Practical guidance to achieving net zero
14:20  to  15:00
  • Updated decarbonisation and net zero targets
  • Main challenges to delivering infrastructure under these targets
  • Building decarbonisation into infrastructure
  • Innovation helping to achieve decarbonisation targets
  • Different challenges facing different types of projects
Speakers:
Rhys Wyn Jones. Director. RenewableUK Cymru.
Eleri Davies. Head of Wales – Onshore Wind Development. RWE Renewables.
Jess Hooper. Programme Manager. Marine Energy Wales.
Ellie Brundrett. Net Zero Project Manager. Regen.
Part 4: Dealing with challenges to planning and delivery of infrastructure projects at a local level
15:00  to  15:20
Successfully engaging with communities and conducting consultation
15:00  to  15:20
  • Participating in early engagement
  • Presenting your project with the community
  • Connecting with the community throughout the life cycle of the project
Speaker:
David Jones. Stakeholder Manager. Blue Gem Wind.
Chair’s closing remarks
15:20  to  15:30
Close of conference and networking
15:30  to  16:00

All times are in BST.

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