We’re pleased to announce that this year’s Scottish Planning and Environmental Law Conference is on Thursday 21 September in Edinburgh, and we already have a great lineup of speakers confirmed.
This conference remains the flagship conference in this field, reflecting our commitment to supporting knowledge sharing and excellence within the built environment professions.
The last year has witnessed many developments which impact on the planning system and the conference will provide a space for the planning and environmental law community to discuss and debate these.
Key topics
Moves to reform the planning system continue, with a Planning Bill now expected to come before Parliament in Winter 2017. The publication in June of a Position Statement from the Scottish Government indicates their future priorities for the planning system in Scotland.
Planning Minister Kevin Stewart recently said that “I firmly believe Scotland’s planners can lead the delivery of great places, empower communities and provide a stable environment for investment through the uncertain times we live in.” However new skills, knowledge and behaviours will be required to make the ‘new planning system’ successful.
Added to this the uncertainties around Brexit, especially the possible impact on environmental legislation, and it is clear that significant changes are likely to affect the sector.
The SPEL Conference will be addressing key issues of infrastructure development, housing supply and energy strategy, as well as planning and environmental legislation.
As usual we’ll also be reflecting on recent case law and considering how it relates to daily practice. The conference is an excellent opportunity for solicitors and planners to refresh their knowledge of recent changes in planning and environmental law, as well as providing time for quality networking.
Conference programme
The programme features a broad range of speakers, bringing perspectives from the private sector, local government planning, academia and central government to bear on the issues.
Confirmed key speakers include:
- Professor David Adams, Ian Mactaggart Chair of Property & Urban Studies, University of Glasgow
- Dr John Boyle, Director Research & Strategy, Rettie & Co
- Fraser Carlin, Head of Planning and Housing, Renfrewshire Council
- Greg Lloyd, Emeritus Professor of Urban Planning, Ulster University
- Ross Martin, former Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Development and Industry
- Pauline Mills, Land & Planning Director, Taylor Wimpey
- Mark Mohammed, Terra Firma Chambers
- Alasdair Sutherland, Terra Firma Chambers
- Robert Sutherland, Terra Firma Chambers
- Laura Tainsh, Partner, Davidson Chalmers
- Ian Turner, Community Empowerment Team Leader, Scottish Government
- Rt. Hon. Brian Wilson, former UK Energy Minister, Chairman Harris Tweeds Hebrides
We’re also delighted that Stuart Gale, QC, will be chairing the conference for us.
If you’re interested in planning or environmental law in Scotland then SPEL Conference 2017 is the perfect chance to hear about the latest developments and network with others.
The 2017 Scottish Planning and Environmental Law Conference is on 21 September at the COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh.
The full conference programme and booking form are available here.
The conference is supported by Terra Firma Chambers.
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