Changes to the treatment of the Environment in the Planning Process and significant changes to the Planning System

Event details:

Join us for the next Michelmores’ Planning Primer seminar.

Our experienced Planning and Environmental speakers will cover the following:

Changes to the treatment of the Environment in the Planning Process

Nina Pindham will consider the future interaction between nature and the built environment, the new regime for which is to be brought in under part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act.  The natural environment and development have often had a tricky relationship.  Will the Natural England led system result in a satisfactory solution for both of them?  Will the adoption of the relevant Environmental Delivery Plans result in the planning process speeding up? A draft of the first of the Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) has now been published and is currently out to consultation. By November, the consultation will have closed and we may have some idea as to whether the Government is likely to accept any of the changes proposed in the consultation responses.

Nina is a member of the Committee acting for the Secretary of State in drafting the EDPs and advising on the implementation of the Planning and Infrastructure Act.

Significant Changes to the structure of the Planning System

Helen Hutton will detail the major changes to the planning system, which are being brought in under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 and the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

Although the merger of local and county authorities into new unitary authorities (which was expected to happen as from March 2028) is largely currently on hold, there are significant planning system changes still going ahead.

Under the above two Acts, the new Spatial Development Strategies will bring back a system of Sub-Regional Planning and the new Strategic Authorities are brought into law.

Helen will also highlight the significant changes to the structure and content of the planning system, bought in on 17 August, in the updated NPPF (National Policy Planning Framework).

Implications for the Development Industry

How will both of the above sets of changes affect the future operation of the development industry?  Sam Stafford will consider this, before going on to chair the Q&A session.

All of our speakers have extensive experience of working in a wide range of planning and environmental matters – many of which will be affected by these changes. All three are exceptionally well placed to analyse the likely effects of the imminent and recent changes.

Our keynote speakers:

Helen Hutton – Michelmores

Partner in Planning and Environmental Law, Michelmores. Helen is an experienced planning and environmental solicitor, who, alongside her work in strategic land development, other development planning and energy schemes, is heavily involved in Natural Capital planning work.

Nina Pindham – Cornerstone

Nina Pindham specialises in environmental law matters. Her experience includes several of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, and three of the leading strategic climate litigation cases in the UK: Finch v Surrey County Council and Friends of the Earth’s successful challenges to the UK Government’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan and Net Zero Strategy. Her work spans offshore and onshore wind energy, solar & nuclear energy development, strategic battery storage development, water infrastructure, data centres, rail (including HS2), minerals development, hazardous substances, waste, EIA, SEA, agriculture, water, air quality, climate and nature conservation issues. She has represented clients (including national governments) before the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and the United Nations. Nina currently serves as Chair of the UK’s Environmental Law Association.

Sam Stafford – LPDF

Sam is a chartered town planner with twenty five years of experience across a number of sectors. Most recently, before joining the LPDF as Managing Director in May 2025, Sam spent three years as Planning Director at the HBF and eight years as a Regional Strategic Land Director at Barratt Developments.The Land, Planning and Development Federation (LPDF), formed in early 2018, represents the UK’s leading land promotion and development businesses.