Planning Day 2024 - Cornerstone Barristers

Speakers - Cornerstone's planning, environment and climate teams

Venue - The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 38 – 43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE

Fee - £155 + VAT

Cornerstone Barristers flagship Planning Day returns for 2024!

Designed for planning specialists, solicitors, consultants and policymakers, this year’s event promises to delve into the hottest topics in planning and environment law.

We’re delighted to be joined by Sam Stafford, Planning Director at the Home Builders Federation, who will deliver the keynote address on how the revised NPPF aims to address the housing shortage. Topics under discussion include Onshore Renewables, Heritage Cases, Compulsory Purchase, Water Law, Biodiversity Net Gain, a Case Law Update, plus panels on the Finch Judgement’s impact on Infrastructure Projects and Green Belt Housing Delivery.

Join us afterward for a complimentary drinks reception, a perfect opportunity to engage with our barristers, gain insights from their expert views in a relaxed setting, and network with fellow planners and solicitors. Plus, as a delegate, you’ll receive an exclusive booklet featuring articles from our esteemed speakers – available only to attendees. Find the full programme below.

Purchase your ticket before 14th October to access the early bird discount ticket price.

Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in the field. We look forward to welcoming you!

9:00 Registration and refreshments

9:45 Chair’s welcome and introduction
Michael Bedford KC, Head of Planning, Cornerstone Barristers

10:00 Winds of Change in Onshore Renewables

With the incoming Labour government finally lifting the effective ban on onshore wind projects, and the strong emphasis in government policy on the need for all forms of renewables (including solar) Michael Bedford KC, Clare Parry and Jack Parker will look at the opportunities and challenges of bringing forwards onshore renewables, including Grid connectivity, battery storage, community benefit packages, and project co-ordination.

10:30 Elevating Alternatives in Heritage Cases

Alternative schemes or alternative sites are usually – often appropriately – dismissed as irrelevant to a decision-maker considering a proposal. However, alternatives can have a material bearing on planning decision-making where there is identifiable policy conflict or other planning harm. Tom Cosgrove KC and Jack Barber will explore how decision-makers might grapple with alternatives in cases involving identified heritage harm, before considering the wider implications for developers, local authorities and decision-makers.

11:00 Coffee Break

11:30 Panel: The Finch Judgement – Legal Implications and Challenges for Infrastructure Projects

Join Estelle Dehon KC, Ruchi Parekh, Jack Parker and Lois Lane as they unpack the key implications of the Finch Judgement for infrastructure projects. This groundbreaking decision has reshaped the legal landscape for infrastructure planning, fossil fuel projects and other high carbon-emitting proposals. Our panel will explore how the judgment is influencing project approvals, offering critical insights for developers, legal professionals, and policymakers alike

12:30 Water Law, Sewage and Biodiversity Net Gain: Legal Developments and Practical Insights

James Findlay KC, Nina Pindham and Matt Lewin deliver an essential update on the intersection of water law and the growing requirements for biodiversity net gain (BNG). With increasing pressure on developers to integrate environmental sustainability into projects, this session will cover the latest legal frameworks and case law affecting water resource management, including the Supreme Court decision in Manchester Ship Canal v United Utilities on liability for untreated sewage discharge, and biodiversity obligations.

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Case Law Update

A round up of the most important developments from the past 12 months, courtesy of planning and environment specialists Ben Du Feu and Dr Alex Williams.

14:30 Compulsory Purchase in 2024

A view from the frontline of compulsory purchase practice. Harriet Townsend and Jackson Sirica will discuss the role played by compulsory purchase in land assembly, particularly bearing in mind the Government’s growth agenda; its benefits and challenges; and recent legislative reforms. We aim to ensure you leave the session better informed about this interesting practice area: its opportunities and risks, and the merits of compulsory purchase as a land assembly tool.

15:00 Refreshment Break 

15:15 Keynote: How the Revised NPPF Aims to Solve the Housing Crisis

Sam Stafford, Planning Director at the House Builders Federation (HBF), will deliver the keynote address exploring the extent to which the revised NPPF will significantly boost the supply of housing. A Chartered Town Planner since 2002, Sam joined HBF as Planning Director in 2022 and his role is to promote the interests of the housebuilding sector through local and national planning policy.

15:35 Panel: Will a Multi-Coloured Green Belt Achieve Housing Delivery?

Join us for an insightful session exploring the latest proposed changes to Green Belt (GB) policy. We’ll dive into the rationale behind these proposals, break down the details, including the intriguing “multi-colored” approach, and discuss whether these shifts could lead to a boost in housing delivery. Will a more flexible, multi-layered GB policy be the key to addressing housing challenges? Come find out! With Emmaline Lambert, Ryan Kohli, Robert Williams and Emma Dring.

16:30 Networking Reception