Sold out NALC event explores latest planning reforms
Our latest event, Planning reform unpacked: the planning shake-up and what it really means, explored the latest planning reforms. With the government pledging to build 1.5 million new homes during its time in Parliament, and with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill leading the charge, parish and town councils attended the session to understand how the reforms would affect them directly.
Attendees heard expert analysis from the head of policy and public affairs at the Royal Town Planning Institute, Robbie Calver; campaigns lead at CPRE, Jackie Copley; and the coordinator at the Better Planning Coalition, Richard Hebditch.
Jackie Copley expressed support for sustainable, well-planned development, highlighting the importance of community involvement and protecting the countryside and environment. She also outlined the introduction of national policies and new development strategies. She said, “We’re not about stopping new development […] but we’d like it to be done where people and the natural environment are considered.” She raised concerns about development outside settlements, noting it could lead to a loss of local control. Her overall message was that planning reform must balance housing delivery with environmental protection and local democracy.
Richard Hebditch focused on the potential risks within the reforms, including reduced public involvement in planning decisions and increased centralisation. He noted that while the reforms may speed up development, they could also weaken local democracy and environmental safeguards. He said, “The area we were most concerned about was the removal of obligations around consulting communities […] shutting communities out of the process.”
Robbie Calver offered a professional planning perspective. He broadly supported the direction of reform, particularly the clearer purpose of planning and greater national consistency. However, he raised concerns about the potential loss of local flexibility and whether national standards are strong enough on climate and nature. He highlighted the need for clarity, coherence and workable policies, alongside the importance of infrastructure planning and the risk of regional inequality. He said, “Planning is about getting the right development in the right place,” adding that reforms must be properly implemented, resourced and balanced.
The event concluded with a short Q&A session, during which speakers agreed that planning reform is significant and wide-ranging, but that the system requires better coordination, infrastructure alignment, and clearer policies. They encouraged communities to maintain a strong voice and ensure that development remains sustainable and well planned.
