We’re pleased to announce that 2019’s Scottish Planning and Environmental Law Conference is returning to Edinburgh on Thursday 19 September, and the programme has now been released.

This flagship conference always attracts a knowledgeable audience from the planning and legal professions, with a focus on quality discussion and debate.

The focus this year is on two main themes: the approach to housing, land value and infrastructure delivery, and the impact of the community empowerment agenda in Scotland. With the Planning (Scotland) Act finally having received Royal Assent on 25 July, we’ll also be looking at what to expect next, including a review of the National Planning Framework. And as usual, there will also be the popular sessions on recent case law.

Conference programme

The programme features a wide range of speakers, bringing perspectives from the private sector, local government planning, academia and central government to bear on the issues. The chair for this year will be James Findlay QC.

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.

Confirmed speakers and panel members this year include:

• Mark Lazarowicz, Terra Firma Chambers
• Shona Glenn, Head of Policy & Research, Scottish Land Commission
• Dr Mark Robertson, Managing Partner, Ryden
• Nicola Woodward, Senior Director, Lichfields
• Fraser Carlin, Head of Housing & Planning, Renfrewshire Council
• Pauline Mills, Land & Planning Director, Taylor Wimpey
• Tammy Swift-Adams, Director of Planning, Homes for Scotland
• Nick Wright, Nick Wright Planning
• Pippa Robertson, Aurora Planning
• Dr Calum Macleod,Policy Director, Community Land Scotland
• Neale McIlvanney, Strategic Planning Manager, North Ayrshire Council
• Stefano Smith, Director, Stefano Smith Planning and former Convenor, RTPI Scotland
• Pam Ewen, Chief Officer – Planning, Fife Council and former Convenor, RTPI Scotland
• Jacqueline Cook, Head of Planning, Davidson Chalmers

If you’re interested in planning or environmental law in Scotland then there’s no doubt that SPEL 2019 is an unmissable conference.

The 2019 Scottish Planning and Environmental Law Conference is on 19 September at the COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh.

The conference programme and booking form are available here.

The conference is supported by Terra Firma Chambers.

We’re excited to announce that this year’s Scottish Planning and Environmental Law Conference is on Thursday 13 September in Edinburgh, and there’s already a great lineup of speakers confirmed.

This conference remains the flagship conference in its field, reflecting our commitment to supporting knowledge sharing and excellence within planning and 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

This year is the 28th SPEL Conference and we’re focusing on two key themes – the Planning Bill and wider environmental matters.

In May, the Stage 1 Report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill was released. Whilst some proposals appear to be going through the process relatively unchallenged, there are others which will be subject to further scrutiny.

As we anticipate what a future planning system is going to look like, planning reform is not the only driver of change. The Energy Strategy, climate change, the 2021 Landfill ban and the National Transport Strategy will also impact on planning.

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 wide range of speakers, bringing perspectives from the private sector, local government planning, academia and central government to bear on the issues.

Confirmed speakers this year include:

• Mark Lazarowicz, Terra Firma Chambers
• Pippa Robertson, Aurora Planning
• Archie Rintoul, former Chief Valuer Scotland
• Karen Heywood, Interim Chief Reporter, Planning & Environmental Appeals Division, Scottish Government
• Karen Turner, Director of the Centre for Energy Policy, University of Strathclyde
• Greg Lloyd, Emeritus Professor of Urban Planning, Ulster University
• Lesley Martin, RSA Scotland
• Laura Tainsh, Partner, Davidson Chalmers
• Russell Henderson, Associate Director, RPS

We’re pleased that Douglas Armstrong QC will be chairing the conference.

If you’re interested in planning or environmental law in Scotland then SPEL Conference 2018 is the perfect chance to hear about the latest developments and network with others.

The 2018 Scottish Planning and Environmental Law Conference is on 13 September at the COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh.

The conference programme and booking form are available here.

The conference is supported by Terra Firma Chambers.