Have We Got Planning News For You

Our Special Guest this week is Stephen Kinsella, Managing Director for the MADE Partnership and also Group Major Projects Director at Barratt Redrow. The MADE Partnership is a master developer and a joint venture between Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group. Previously, Stephen was the Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England. Latest News Update on planning related...

We experienced some major connectivity issues this week which has unfortunately resulted in some video problems. We've tried to resolve this as best we can in the final edit and apologise for the inconvenience. Our Special Guest this week is Rebecca Phillips, Chief Planning Inspector at the Planning Inspectorate . Rebecca has held the role on an interim basis since March 2025, during which tim...

Our Special Guest this week is Jan Bessell , the 2026 President of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Currently a Strategic Planning Adviser at Pinsent Masons, she has worked on a range of planning projects, from community-led initiatives and neighbourhood plans to nationally significant infrastructure projects. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Decision of the Court of Appeal invo...

Our Special Guests this week are John Fingleton and Mustafa Latif-Aramesh . John led an independent taskforce looking into the reform of nuclear regulations in the UK and Mustafa was Lead Author of the Planning Chapter in the review. The Government’s response to the Fingleton Review was published a few days ago. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Court of Appeal Decision concerning...

Our Special Guest this week is Paul Reilly, President and Managing Director for WSP UK & Ireland . Paul oversees WSP’s strategic priorities and client delivery across the UK and Ireland, reinforcing the firm’s capabilities in critical growth markets, including infrastructure, environment, water, property, and energy. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Costs Decision for Land Nor...

Our Special Guest this week is Richard Benwell, Chief Executive of Wildlife & Countryside Link . He is also a board member of the Broadway Initiative and UK Youth for Nature and Chair of Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Partnership. Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) is the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England, bringing together 94 organisations to use their strong joint voice for...

Our Special Guest this week is Sam Stafford, Managing Director at the Land, Planning and Development Federation and host of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast. Latest News Update on planning related matters since we were last on the air. A Decision of the High Court involving Wrotham Parish Council and the Secretary of State, Moto Hospitality and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. It was a chal...

The New Draft National Planning Policy Framework has been released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government . In this timely special, the Have We Got Planning News For You team looks through all the details and key changes within the framework and provides their thoughts on what they mean for the planning sector. Have We Got Planning News for You is a light-hearted review of th...

Founding panellist, HWGPNFY Legend and host for our 1st Live event, Mary Cook from Town Legal , brings proceedings to a close. This is a series of specials from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London . Donate to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Child Poverty Action Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Conference resources can be found on our ⁠⁠...

In this episode, newcomer to the show Victoria Hutton of 39 Essex Chambers considers the recent Planning Practice Guidance changes and how the sequential test is affecting development. The sequential test is a process used to assess flood risk by comparing a proposed development site with other available sites to ensure it is located in an area with the lowest risk of flooding. Featuring ducks and...

In this episode, we get an update about the last 12 months at the Planning Inspectorate from the Interim Chief Inspector, Rebecca Phillips . She also speaks of what's to come in 2026. This is a series of specials from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London . We will have a new episode every week...

In this episode, panellist Sasha White KC of Landmark Chambers presents developments and setbacks occurring within the retail sector and the current state of play of the high street along with a brief history of the show. This is a series of specials from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London . We...

As we end the current season, for this episode, we’re doing things a little differently. We have all the Latest News and Case Updates from the team. But instead of the regular guest interview, we have a plethora of videos from our inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London on the 1st of December 2025 . Back...

In this episode, panellist Paul Tucker KC of Kings Chambers looks at the issues and other hurdles related to "Big Boxes" or warehouses as they're more commonly known. Highlighting the UK's economic need for such developments in order to achieve and sustain growth over the coming years. This is a series of specials from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conferen...

In this episode, panellist Thea Osmund-Smith of No5 Chambers outlines the current state of Renewable Energy in the UK, and also shows what is necessary in order for it to meet its Clean Power 2030 targets. The Clean Power 2030 initiative aims for Great Britain to generate 95% of its electricity from clean sources by the year 2030, focusing on renewable energy like solar and wind, while also enhanc...

In this episode, panellist Lord Charlie Banner KC of Keating Chambers explains how the introduction of Grey Belt policy aims to increase delivery in the Green Belt, aided with the use of Bon Jovi references. This is a series of specials from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London . We will have a ne...

In this episode, panellist Chris Young KC of No5 Chambers has a look at the levels of England's housing targets, the areas that are doing well, those that are falling short and what can be done to increase delivery. This is a series of specials from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London . We will h...

In this episode, we are joined by Jennie Daly CBE, Chief Executive Officer at the house builder, Taylor Wimpey PLC . Jennie explains all matters with how the house building sector is responding with all the various policy changes by recent Governments. This is a series of special episodes from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Soci...

In this episode, we are joined by The Right Honourable Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning , for a 45-minute Q&A session. This is a series of special episodes from the inaugural Have We Got Planning News For You Live Conference , which took place at The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London . We will have a new episode every weekday right up until the pu...

Victoria joined the RTPI in April 2018 and has 20 years’ experience and expertise in planning, transport and organisational leadership and development. She has led the RTPI for nearly eight years, and will be stepping down from her post as CEO later this year. She will be moving on to take up the role of CEO at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Latest News Update on planning related matt...

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, also known as Philip Hunt, is a politician and member of the House of Lords, who served as Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero from 2024 to 2025. He has held various roles in government, including positions in health and justice, and was created a life peer in 1997. Latest News Update on planning related matters. A Judgment of the Court of Appeal involving...

Chris Boardman was appointed as National Active Travel Commissioner in June 2022 by the Transport Secretary. He was Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester and the first ever Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner. A former professional cyclist, Chris won a gold medal in the individual pursuit at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. He is currently the Chair of Sport England. Lates...

Our Special Guest this week is Kathryn Ventham , Senior Director at Twenty5 Planning. Kathryn is a Chartered Town Planner with 25 years experience specialising in strategic land promotion and mixed use/residential led development. She is a leading advisor in respect of matters relating to flood risk sequential testing - working with Counsel and government bodies in this regard. Latest News Update...

Our Special Guest this week is Shanika Mahendran , Cabinet Member for Planning & Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council. Shanika is the first Asian woman and youngest ever councillor to join the Cabinet in Milton Keynes (initially as a Cabinet Member for the Economy). She previously worked in Sir Kier Starmer's politics team, improving campaigning and focussing on increasing diversity in ou...

Our Special Guest this week is Lord Marvin Rees OBE . Marvin is a Labour Party politician who served as the Mayor of Bristol from 2016 to 2024 and became a life peer in February 2025. He has a background in public health, journalism, and social justice advocacy. Latest News Update on planning related matters. An Appeal Decision on Land West of Chapel Road in Smallfield, Surrey that was made by B Y...