Futureproof Planning Seminar – Monday 24th of November 10am to 4pm

2025 has been a landmark year for national planning legislation, with sweeping reforms affecting neighbourhood planning, appeals, strategic infrastructure, biodiversity net gain, and more.

In Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, further changes are anticipated as Local Plans evolve—making this a critical moment for councils to regroup, reframe, and respond.

Futureproof Planning 2025 is a full-day seminar designed to equip town and parish councils with the insight, tools, and strategies needed to navigate this shifting landscape. Join sector leaders and planning experts for a day of practical guidance, strategic thinking, and collaborative discussion.

Featured Speakers

Neil Homer – Managing Director, ONH

Neil will provide a comprehensive update on the local impact of national planning reforms, including how councils can proactively prepare, build robust evidence, and plan for the unexpected.

Tom Sykes – Common Works Architecture

Tom will explore the opportunities presented by upcoming development, and how councils can harness these changes to shape communities for the better.

Matthew Stanton – External Affairs & Landscape Recovery Director BBOWT

Matthew will discuss the potential implications of the planning and infrastructure bill and how we can help protect local spaces in the face of increased development

Additional speakers and panellists: To be announced soon

Why Attend?

Recent reforms have introduced significant challenges for local councils:

• Accelerated Local Plans – Reduced timeframes for consultation and scrutiny

• Mandatory Housing Targets – Increased pressure to approve development scrutiny

• Grey Belt Development – Threats to rural character

• Loss of Annual Position Statements – Weakened resistance to speculative applications

• Design Codes – New tools with resource implications for smaller councils

Councils have raised concerns about limited consultation opportunities and the need to respond decisively when planning applications first arise. This seminar will help you

•  Understand your role as statutory consultees
•  Make your resources go further

• Develop a community-led planning vision

• Integrate environmental priorities into planning responses

• Advocate effectively within a system focused on units, not homes

Location: Mezzanine Rooms, Aylesbury

Who should attend: Town and parish councillors, clerks, planning leads, and community development officers

Cancellation: A full refund will be given if 14 days or more notice prior to the date of the training course is given. However, this could cause an event to be cancelled if it becomes uneconomic to run.

Members £110 per ticket

Non-members £220 per ticket