Day 1: 6th March – Latest policy updates and guidance on developing application
08:45 to
17:15
Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Gideon Amos OBE.
Managing Director.
Amos Ellis Consulting.
Part 1: Support for major infrastructure and reforming the Planning Act 2008 regime
09:40 to
12:20
National Infrastructure Commission update
09:40 to
10:05
- NIA2 recommendations
- Priorities in 2024
Speaker:
James Heath.
Chief Executive.
National Infrastructure Commission.
Panel discussion: The future of major infrastructure planning – creating certainty in the process and navigating reduced timelines
10:05 to
10:55
- How can government support industry and future infrastructure?
- Working within the context of shortened timelines and reduced resources
- What can the industry do to address current workforce constraints?
- How can policy be better aligned with practice?
- Speeding up the process – how have reforms affected major infrastructure? And how can planning feasibly be sped up?
Speakers:
Jamie Baldwin.
Development Project Director - Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Project.
Ørsted.
Richard Blyth.
Head of Policy and Practice.
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Charlotte Rushmere.
Principal Planning Officer – National Infrastructure.
Essex County Council.
Frances Fernandes.
Managing Director.
Infrastructure Matters.
Morning networking and refreshments
10:55 to
11:25
The year ahead for the development consent order application process
11:25 to
11:55
- Updates on speeding up the process
- Latest advice and guidance for applications in 2024
- Modernising NSIP’s – insight into digitalisation of processes
Speaker:
Gail Boyle.
Operations Lead.
Planning Inspectorate.
National Policy Statements – what do revised updates mean for the industry?
11:55 to
12:20
- Timelines for proposed changes
- What do updated NPS’s requirements mean for new projects?
- Are the proposed NPS changes going far enough? Should they go further?
Speaker:
Alex Minhinick.
Partner.
Burges Salmon.
Part 2: Environmental policy updates, reaching net zero and delivering BNG
12:20 to
14:35
Environmental Outcomes Reports (EOR) – why we shouldn’t wait for reform to deliver faster, more accessible and proportionate environmental assessment?
12:20 to
12:45
- The latest on reform including the 2023 Office for Environmental Protection review of EOR
- What can infrastructure promoters do now to apply the principles of EOR to their projects, and why they should do it
- How we are delivering already - delivering faster, more accessible and proportionate environmental assessment
Speaker:
Nick Giesler.
Head of Profession, Environmental Management and Assessment.
WSP.
Delivering net zero, climate resilience and growth through improved planning for major infrastructure
12:45 to
13:10
- How can the NSIP be used as a vehicle to net zero and future energy security
- Creating an NSIP process that supports the transition to net zero
- Ensuring that project speed aligns with environmental considerations
Speakers:
Alistair Kean.
Director of Sustainability.
COWI.
Michael Wilson.
Principal Consultant.
Arcadis.
Networking lunch
13:10 to
14:10
Best practice for successfully including social value – practically creating positive economic, social and environmental outcomes for communities
14:10 to
14:35
- Establishing local community needs and delivering bespoke benefits
- Effectively communicating community benefits
- Insight into successful forms of social value
Speaker:
Samantha Freelove.
Legacy and Sustainability Manager.
Tideway.
Practical strategies for delivering biodiversity net gain
14:35 to
15:00
- How can biodiversity net gain practically be included in your application
- Lessons learnt from recent major projects and how biodiversity net gain was included
- Carrying out mitigation requirements throughout the project
Speaker:
Sarah Clark.
Partner.
BDB Pitmans.
Part 3: Engaging with communities and creating positive outcomes
14:40 to
15:55
Consultation and engagement – improving consultation and community outreach for major infrastructure
15:00 to
15:25
- Identifying key stakeholders and consulting early
- What will a reduction in consultation time mean for projects
- Overcoming misunderstandings around new kinds of projects
Speakers:
Douglas Johnson.
Director - Advocacy.
SEC Newgate.
Leyla Hart-Svensson.
Head of Research.
SEC Newgate.
Afternoon networking and refreshments
15:25 to
15:55
Part 4: Applying lessons from recent projects to ensure delivery of future infrastructure
15:55 to
17:15
Case study
15:55 to
16:20
- What difficulties have been encountered in the project so far
- How can lessons learned be passed on to future developments
Speaker:
Sandie Forte-Gill.
Director of Regional Investment Programme – North.
National Highways.
Panel discussion: Delivering future infrastructure for the UK – is the regime still fit for purpose? Can we meet future population needs?
16:20 to
17:05
- How are new projects finding the regime – water, solar, small nuclear reactors
- How can greater certainty in the regime be established
- How can the regime be improved to deliver the needs of the public?
- Engaging the public in the future of infrastructure – bringing communities on the journey and consulting on key issues
- What infrastructure is needed to reach net zero and energy security
Speakers:
Nick Prowse.
Commercial and Legal Director.
Luton Rising.
Will Bridges.
DCO Lead Developer.
RES.
Beth Motley.
Director.
Counter Context.
Colin Turnbull.
Director.
DWD.
Chair’s closing remarks
17:05 to
17:15
Close of day 1 and networking drinks
17:15 to
18:30