Town and Country Planning Association

Child-friendly planning and design: insights and experiences from European cities
2025-02-13 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London)
Webinar – Free

Many European cities are embracing child-friendly planning and urban design. This webinar will explore four case studies from Spain, Slovakia, Albania and Germany that offer insight, inspiration and practical lessons that can be applied in the UK.

The webinar is collaboration between the TCPA and Tim Gill, childhood expert and author of Urban Playground: How child-friendly planning and design can save cities, and forms part of the TCPA’s wider work on children, young people in the built environment including:

Raising the healthiest generation in history: why it matters where children and young people live – recommendations and evidence review from the 2024 Levelling Up, Housing and Communities inquiry into children, young people and built environment.

Developing Well conference – the conference explored the relationship between children, young people and the built environment, the critical importance of creating healthy places in which they can thrive, challenges and opportunities and highlighted case studies of place-based practice from local authorities and the private sector.

Homes and neighbourhoods for children and young people – a webinar exploring why planning and the built environment matters for healthy and thriving children and young people and how to engage with children and teenagers about 20-minute neighbourhoods and place.

Agenda

10:00WelcomeGemma Hyde, Projects and Policy Manager, TCPA10:05Child-friendly placesTim Gill, independent scholar, writer and consultant on childhood10:15Barcelona, SpainMaria Truñó Salvadó, Director, Alliance Education 36010:35Bratislava, SlovakiaSandra Štasselová, Urbanist, Metropolitan Institute Bratislava10:55Break11:00Tirana, AlbaniaSimon Battisti, Executive Director, Qendra Marrëdhënie11:20Regensburg, GermanyAnna Schledorn, Youth Welfare Planner, Child Friendly City Coordinator, Stadt Regensburg11:40Q&A session12:00Close

Image credit: Irene Quintáns

TCPA Webinar - Planning Reform Update
2025-02-25 10:00 - 11:15
Join us to delve into the latest updates on planning reform following the recently updated National Planning Policy Framework and the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Michael Bingham OBE, Deputy Director – Planning Policy at MHCLG will highlight the main changes, an industry expert panel discuss how these will impact delivery, and our Policy Director Hugh Ellis’ reflections on what this means for local authorities and others.

Part of our TCPA New Communities Group series of events, this webinar offers valuable insight for local councils, planners and communities to navigate major shifts and plan forward.

10:00Welcome from the ChairCatriona Riddell, TCPA Trustee 10:05Update on planning reformsMichael Bingham OBE, Deputy Director – Planning Policy, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 10:15Q&A 10:25Panel to respond:– Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy, TCPA – Anna Aldous, Principal Associate, Mills and Reeve– Matthew Lickes,(Planning Policy & Place Manager), North Yorkshire Council– Helen Williams, Head of Neighbourhoods and Housing, LocalityContributions from the panel members followed by questions from the audience and discussions.11:10Conclusions from the Chair11:15Close

Further details to follow.

Check to see if you are part of a TCPA or NCG member organisation

About New Communities Group (NCG) memberships

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) memberships

Infrastructure Delivery for New Communities
2025-03-18 10:00 - 11:30
This webinar responds to a high demand for guidance on successful infrastructure delivery in new developments. The session will cover practical case studies and actionable steps, covering:

large-scale delivery vehicles and strategies;

locally led development corporations;

social infrastructure; and

community owned infrastructure.

Part of our TCPA New Communities Group series of events, this webinar will offer valuable insight for local councils, planners and communities.

This event is kindly supported by Local Trust.

Agenda

TimeSpeaker10:00 Welcome from the ChairGilian MacInnes, TCPA Trustee 10:05 Large-scale delivery vehicles and development corporationsStephen Hill, Director, Hyas Associates 10:15 Securing and implementing funding for infrastructureGary Macdonnell , Network Programme Manager, Essex County Council10:25 Q&A 10:45 Prioritising social infrastructureMadeleine Jennings, Head of Policy and Communications, Local Trust10:55 Community owned infrastructure in new places Harriet English, Deputy Chief Executive, Plunkett UK Sarah Crush, Social Value Manager at Thakeham Group11:05 Q&A 11:30 Close

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) member organisation

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Youth engagement in planning, regeneration and neighbourhood management - Voice Opportunity Power
2025-03-24 12:00 - 13:00
Young people have a right to be involved in the decisions that shape the places where they live and including them creates better places for everyone.

The Voice Opportunity Power toolkit is a free resource with practical guidance on how to involve young people (11-18) in the way that places get built and managed. It is for engagement practitioners, developers, designers, planners and sports providers and is designed to improve participation in – and the quality of – new development and regeneration. The toolkit was produced by ZCD Architects in partnership with Grosvenor, Sport England, and the TCPA.

In this webinar Dinah Bornat, Director ZCD Architects, will:

give an overview of Voice Opportunity Power – what the toolkit contains and how it can be used;

present some case study examples of how it has been used on different projects and developments;

followed by a Q&A.

Please register here:

Register here

This webinar forms part of the TCPA’s work on children, young people and the built environment. If you would like to know more about this work including previous event recordings and the Raising the healthiest generation in history report, please click here.

Supported by:

Design Codes for New Communities
2025-05-13 10:00 - 11:30
This webinar will explore the practical realities of Design Coding in new housing developments. From the perspectives of policy-researcher, designer, planner and local authority, we will consider:

when design codes are effective;

context sensitive design; and

inclusive and diverse placemaking.

Part of our TCPA New Communities Group series of events, this webinar will offer valuable insight for local councils, planners and communities.

This event is kindly supported by Adam Architecture.

Agenda

10:00 Welcome from the Chair,Gilian MacInnes, TCPA Trustee10:05 Learnings from the Design Code Pathfinder Programme,Nikki van Grimbergen, Programme Manager, Design Council10:15Q&A10:25Setting up design codes for different schemes,Robbie Kerr, Design Director, ADAM Architecture10:45Q&A10:55The Cambridge Pathfinder Programme, Trovine Monteiro, Built Environment Team Leader, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning11:10Q&A11:20Closing Remarks

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) member organisation

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Introduction to Coastal Planning (for planners)
2025-05-20 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar is aimed at planners in coastal authorities to hear and learn about coastal change and management. This will include information on Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and the new National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM).

It will cover:

the development of SMPs and NCERM

the next steps of SMPs and NCERM

information you need to know as a planner

where to find information and support on flooding and coastal erosion risk

Register here

The coastal planning webinars programme:

WebinarDateTitleWho is it for?1Tuesday 20 May, 1pm – 2pmIntroduction to coastal planningFor planners2Wednesday 21 May, 1pm – 2pmIntroduction to Coastal PlanningFor elected members3Thursday 22 May, 1pm – 2pmCoastal change and management: tools & best practiceFor coastal practitioners and planners in coastal authorities

FAQs

What does the new national coastal erosion risk mapping mean for development planning?

If you’re a local authority officer working for a local planning authority or lead local flood authority on either planning policy or development management, you are invited to join this webinar. The event will focus on providing an introduction to the new national coastal erosion risk map, and how this works alongside development planning.

In January 2025 the Environment Agency published the updated NCERM on ‘Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England’ and Shoreline Management Plan Explorer. The new NCERM data is also available on data.gov.uk for open access. The new NCERM provides the most up to date picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England.

How can I ask questions?

If you have a question you would like the panel to address during the webinar please share using Slido. You can also upvote questions submitted by others to help us shape the agenda. To submit a question visit www.slido.com and enter #TCPA1

Do I need to prepare for the meeting?

There is no pre-reading. However, it may be helpful for you to take a look at the National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024 report, which we published in December 2024. Whilst the report focuses primarily on the findings from data not aimed at development planning, it provides a helpful overview of how our understanding of risk has changed.

We also encourage you to watch this introductory video in advance of the event – Environment Agency updates to flood and coastal erosion risk information. (registration to the SharePoint site is required see details below)

You can read more here about our Updates to national flood and coastal erosion risk information. You can explore some of the new data we’ve already published here:

Check your long term flood risk

Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England

Shoreline Management Plan Explorer

Updated Flood Map for Planning service

To view the introductory video, get further details and supporting materials available from our SharePoint site send an email to admin_fcermprojectsupport@environment-agency.gov.uk to request access.

You may also be interested in the suite of training materials on planning for flood risk created by the Environment Agency in partnership with the TCPA. These are available here: https://learning.tcpa.org.uk/

Privacy statement

All webinar registration details will be held by the TCPA in line with our privacy policy. As a delivery partner, we may also share webinar participant information with the Environment Agency, who will use information for purposes directly linked to this webinar only.

Introduction to Coastal Planning (for elected members)
2025-05-21 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar is aimed at Elected Members in coastal authorities to hear and learn about coastal change and management. This will include information on Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and the new National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM).

It will cover:

the development of SMPs and NCERM

information that will be useful to you in your role as an elected member

what support materials are available and where to find them

Register here

The coastal planning webinars programme:

WebinarDateTitleWho is it for?1Tuesday 20 May, 1pm – 2pmIntroduction to coastal planningFor planners2Wednesday 21 May, 1pm – 2pmIntroduction to Coastal PlanningFor elected members3Thursday 22 May, 1pm – 2pmCoastal change and management: tools & best practiceFor coastal practitioners and planners in coastal authorities

FAQs

What does the new national coastal erosion risk mapping mean for development planning?

If you’re an elected member in a coastal authority with a remit in coastal management, planning policy or development management you are invited to join this webinar. The event will focus on providing an introduction to the new national coastal erosion risk mapping data, how this works alongside development planning, and how you can find more information.

The new National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM)

In January 2025 the Environment Agency published the updated NCERM on ‘Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England’ and Shoreline Management Plan Explorer. The new NCERM data is also available on data.gov.uk for open access. The new NCERM provides the most up to date picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England.

How can I ask questions during the webinar?

If you have a question you would like the panel to address during the webinar please share using Slido. You can also upvote questions submitted by others to help us shape the agenda. To submit a question visit www.slido.com and enter #TCPA2

Do I need to prepare for the meeting?

There is no pre-reading. However, it may be helpful for you to take a look at the National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024 report, which we published in December. Whilst the report focuses primarily on the findings from data not aimed at development planning, it provides a helpful overview of how our understanding of risk has changed.

We also encourage you to watch this introductory video in advance of the event – Environment Agency updates to flood and coastal erosion risk information. (registration to the SharePoint site is required see details below)

You can read more here about our Updates to national flood and coastal erosion risk information. You can explore some of the new data we’ve already published here:

Check your long term flood risk

Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England

Shoreline Management Plan Explorer

Updated Flood Map for Planning service

To view the introductory video, get further details and supporting materials available from our SharePoint site send an email to admin_fcermprojectsupport@environment-agency.gov.uk to request access.

You may also be interested in the suite of training materials on planning for flood risk created by the Environment Agency in partnership with the TCPA. These are available here: https://learning.tcpa.org.uk/

Privacy statement

All webinar registration details will be held by the TCPA in line with our privacy policy. As a delivery partner, we may also share webinar participant information with the Environment Agency, who will use information for purposes directly linked to this webinar only.

Coastal change and management: tools & best practice (for coastal practitioners and planners in coastal authorities)
2025-05-22 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar is aimed at coastal practitioners and planners who provide advice, guidance and decisions on spatial planning. It will provide worked examples of how Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) and National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) can be used as part of development planning. It will also provide background information on SMPs and NCERM.

The webinar will cover:

Development of SMPs and NCERM

A walkthrough of the SMP Explorer site

Worked examples of using SMPs and NCERM in development planning

Register here

The coastal planning webinars programme:

WebinarDateTitleWho is it for?1Tuesday 20 May, 1pm – 2pmIntroduction to coastal planningFor planners2Wednesday 21 May, 1pm – 2pmIntroduction to Coastal PlanningFor elected members3Thursday 22 May, 1pm – 2pmCoastal change and management: tools & best practiceFor coastal practitioners and planners in coastal authorities

FAQs

What does the new national coastal erosion risk mapping mean for development planning?

If you’re a local authority officer working for a local planning authority or lead local flood authority on either planning policy or development management, you are invited to join this webinar. The event will focus on providing an introduction to the new national coastal erosion risk mapping data, and how this works alongside development planning.

The new National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM)

In January 2025 the Environment Agency published the updated NCERM on ‘Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England’ and Shoreline Management Plan Explorer. The new NCERM data is also available on data.gov.uk for open access. The new NCERM provides the most up to date picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England.

How can I ask questions during the webinar?

If you have a question you would like the panel to address during the webinar please share using Slido. You can also upvote questions submitted by others to help us shape the agenda. To submit a question visit www.slido.com and enter #TCPA3

Do I need to prepare for the meeting?

There is no pre-reading. However, it may be helpful for you to take a look at the National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024 report, which we published in December. Whilst the report focuses primarily on the findings from data not aimed at development planning, it provides a helpful overview of how our understanding of risk has changed.

We also encourage you to watch this introductory video in advance of the event – Environment Agency updates to flood and coastal erosion risk information. (registration to the SharePoint site is required see details below)

You can read more here about our Updates to national flood and coastal erosion risk information. You can explore some of the new data we’ve already published here:

Check your long term flood risk

Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England

Shoreline Management Plan Explorer

Updated Flood Map for Planning service

To view the introductory video, get further details and supporting materials available from our SharePoint site send an email to admin_fcermprojectsupport@environment-agency.gov.uk to request access.

You may also be interested in the suite of training materials on planning for flood risk created by the Environment Agency in partnership with the TCPA. These are available here: https://learning.tcpa.org.uk/

Privacy statement

All webinar registration details will be held by the TCPA in line with our privacy policy. As a delivery partner, we may also share webinar participant information with the Environment Agency, who will use information for purposes directly linked to this webinar only.

Restricting the Appeal and Availability of Junk Food: the role of local councils
2025-06-03 12:00 - 12:55 | Online via Microsoft Teams
Obesity and overweight are major national challenges that cost the NHS and economy millions of pounds every year.

Evidence shows the environments people live in shape the food choices they make: in places where junk food is the cheapest, most readily available and widely advertised, it is harder for people to make healthy choices. Around the country many councils are working to improve local ‘food environments’ by restricting the proliferation of hot food takeaways and, as far as possible, restricting advertising for poor quality food. A lot is being achieved – but councils could do far more if policy and regulations were amended.

Join us at the launch of a new report by APSE (the Association for Public Service Excellence) and the TCPA. It sets out how councils are working to improve food environments, and recommendations for policy changes that would empower them to do even more.

Speakers:

Mo Baines, Chief Executive, Association for Public Service Excellence;

Julia Thrift, Director of Healthier Place-making, Town and Country Planning Association;

Beverley Bayliss, Healthy Places Specialist, East Sussex County Council;

Tim Borrett, Director – Policy, Strategy, Digital, Bristol City Council.

Register to attend

Empowering young people for a greener future - youth engagement transforming Grosvenor Square
2025-06-12 10:00 - 11:15
Teenagers and young people have lots of knowledge about their neighbourhoods and spaces, but too often no-one asks them what they think.

Designed to involve young people in the making and managing of their neighbourhoods, the Voice Opportunity Power youth engagement toolkit is a free resource written by ZCD Architects and supported by Grosvenor, the TCPA and Sport England.

Coinciding with the Great Big Green Week, this webinar explore the transformation of one of London’s oldest public squares, using Voice Opportunity Power to engage young people in creating an extraordinary green space with exemplary environmental credentials.

The webinar will include the perspectives of developer Grosvenor, child and youth engagement specialists MATT+FIONA and a young adult who took part in the work themselves.

This event will be of interest to developers, designers, planners and sustainability professionals concerned with how to amplify youth voices in projects and how to create opportunities for meaningful participation.

Register here

Agenda

10:00WelcomeJulia ThriftDirector Healthier place-making, TCPA10:05Case study: Grosvenor Square, LondonNicola RochfortHead of Community Engagement & InsightsMatthewSpringett and Fiona MacDonaldMATT+FIONAMarwaMayfair Youth Forum alumni11:00Q&AFacilitated by Julia Thrift, TCPA11:15Close

Launch of our vision: 21st Century New Towns
2025-06-23 12:30 - 13:30
Join us as we launch the TCPA’s brand-new vision: 21st Century New Towns. This short pamphlet sets out our aspirational vision for any future generation of new towns, which have the potential to become thriving and high-quality places to live, work, and play!

Register here for the launch webinar

View the vision online here

Speakers

Pam Warhurst CBEFounder of Incredible Edible and recipient of the Ebenezer Howard Memorial MedalDr Hugh EllisDirector of Policy, TCPARowan GilbertProjects and Policy Manager (FJ Osborn Fellow), TCPACharlotte LlewellynOsborn Research Assistant, TCPA

About the vision

This vision is centred around participatory democracy; to be successful, new towns must be developed with, and for, local people. The vision is designed to help communities consider and express what they want from new towns, and to aid them in fighting for the quality developments they deserve.

Drawing on decades of the TCPA’s work, this document shows how the next generation of New Towns are much more than a means to achieving housing targets; they are about enabling people to live happy, healthy and sustainable lives. These places have the potential to become vibrant and inclusive communities where people not only live, but thrive.

At the centre of our vision is the belief that local people know their area best. That’s why it is designed to be a powerful tool for local communities, planners, and policymakers. Helping the general public to shape future new towns in their areas and ensuring they meet the communities’ needs and aspirations.

We hope this document will be a call to action to reimagine what’s possible for the next generation of new towns and enable local communities to demand high-quality, healthy and sustainable places.

Register here

Further Links

For the TCPA’s guidance on New Towns and Garden Cities

For the New Towns Task Force’s work to date

Study Tour 2025: Cambridgeshire
2025-06-26 10:30 - 2025-06-27 16:30
Continuing the success of the TCPA New Communities Group‘s study tours, our 2025 event will delve into Cambridgeshire’s expertise in delivering sustainable, well-planned new communities. We’ll examine Springstead Village’s green infrastructure, Clay Farm’s integrated community facilities, Eddington’s exemplary public realm, Northstowe’s large-scale expansion and busway, and Waterbeach’s cyclist and pedestrian-focused design. In collaboration with Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, this trip will highlight practical examples of successful placemaking, demonstrate integrated infrastructure, and offer a variety of models towards thriving future communities.

SOLD OUT

You can now join the waiting list, please email Jeanette Aves at jeanette.aves@tcpa.org.uk

£470 General admission

£320 TCPA member

£180 NCG member

Who is the tour for?

This study tour is aimed at planners, councillors, policy makers, developers, housebuilders, consultants, urban designers, academics, architects – and anyone else who wants to gain valuable insight on the planning of new communities.

Draft Agenda – subject to change

Day 1 – Thursday 26 June – Outer Cambridge

Time Location 10:00-10:30 Arrive at Cambridge (central) Station CB1 2JW 11:30 Springstead Village new community, 1,200 homes 13:30 Lunch at Clay Farm 14:30 Clay Farm new community, 2,300 new homes 16:00 Eddington, North West Cambridge new community, 3,000 homes 17:30Travel to accommodation, Madingley Hall19:30Dinner at Madingley Hall

Day 2 – Friday 27 June – New Cambridgeshire Towns

Time Location 08:00 Breakfast at Madingley Hall10:00 Northstowe new town, 10,000 new homes 12:30Lunch at Northstowe Tap & Social14:00Marmalade Lane cohousing community, 42 new homes15:00Tea and cakes at Marmalade Lane, with tour roundup16:30 Finish at Cambridge (central) Station CB1 2JW

We are delighted to have the support of the Lady Margaret Paterson Osborn Trust and Hyas.

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) or Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) member organisation

About New Communities Group (NCG) Memberships

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Development taxes and levies: their role in our future places
2025-07-08 14:00 - 18:30 | Surveyors House at RICS Westminster, 12 Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AD, United Kingdom
A symposium as part of a joint University of Cambridge / TCPA research policy impact project.

This event is free to attend, please RSVP at the bottom of this page.

Introduction

The issue of taxes, levies and tariffs on the development value of land continues to be a hot topic. The government is committed to ambitious levels of house building and growth, but support from local communities will depend on the provision of adequate supporting infrastructure, affordable housing and development impact mitigation, much of which is funded from increased land values. Given the time-consuming nature of planning obligations, capturing enough value to meet these demanding place-making requirements seems likely to require increased use of non-negotiable, formula-based and standardised developer contributions.

The existing Community Infrastructure Levy is maturing and now raises an estimated £1.2bn per year. Planning obligations are again being used to impose tariffs or ‘roof taxes’. And although the government has decided to abandon the proposed new Infrastructure Levy, it is proceeding with a specific Nature Restoration Levy. So, what comes next?

At the event we will launch a major policy paper that is based on the implications of a year-long University of Cambridge research project which re-assessed the reasons for the repeal of all previous UK development taxes since 1945. The research, conducted at the University’s Department of Land Economy, challenges much of the received wisdom about the failure of previous taxes and opens up new directions for policy debate. This event provides the first public opportunity to hear about the research and its striking lessons for policy makers today.

Draft Agenda

2.00pmRegistration – tea and coffee availableCan we capture sufficient land value to meet the government’s housing and growth objectives? 2.30pm  Welcome and introduction from the Chair – Liz Peace 2.35pm  The policy proposals: evolution or revolution? – Hugh Ellis, TCPA 2.50pm  Initial responses to the proposals from the panel Tony Mulhall, Associate Director, RICS Gilian Macinnes, planning consultant Will Jeffwitz, National Housing Federation Followed by questions and discussion 3.35pm Comfort break Lessons from the resilience of past and current approaches 3.50pm Improving local areas through developer funding – Helen Hodgson, National Audit Office 4.05pm The research: do we know what not to do? – Miles Gibson 4.20pm Reflections on what we have learnt – Stephen Aldridge, MHCLG4.30pm Questions and discussion 4.50pm Final reflections – Miles Gibson and Hugh Ellis 5.00pm  Thank you from the ChairClose of formal proceedings5.00pm-6.30pmRefreshments will then be served in the Council Chamber with a further opportunity to continue discussions in a more informal setting.

This project is funded by the University of Cambridge’s Social Science Impact Fund, Department of Land Economy and Centre for Science & Policy; by the Town & Country Planning Association; and by the Lady Margaret Paterson Osborn Trust.

Planning reform – where we think we are!
2025-07-29 10:30 - 11:45
Since the 2024 General Election it has been a busy time for planning reform with multiple consultations, new planning legislation and more consultations expected! Join us to delve into the latest updates from the TCPA’s Policy Director, Hugh Ellis, and an expert on strategic planning, Hannah Hickman.

Time Speaker 10:30 Welcome from the ChairThe Rt Hon Nick Raynsford, Chair of the Raynsford Review of Planning, President of the TCPA and former Housing Minister 10:35 Update on planning reformsHugh Ellis, Policy Director, Town and Country Planning Association 10:55 Latest on strategic planningHannah Hickman, Associate Professor – Planning Practice, School of Architecture and Environment, University of the West of England 11:15 Questions and discussion 11:40 Conclusions from the Chair 11:45 Close

Free tickets for small charities/community groups

If you are part of a small charity or community group, we have a number of free tickets available, at the discretion of the TCPA. Please email jeanette.aves@tcpa.org.uk to see if you are eligible.

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) or TCPA member organisation

Planning for Climate Change in New Communities
2025-09-09 14:00 - 15:30
This webinar explored the practical realities of addressing climate impact and mitigation in large scale new communities. We heard from two ambitious authorities who have recently had policies found sound that put forward ambitious net zero energy efficiency targets for new buildings as part of their new settlements – Salt Cross in Oxfordshire and the TCB Garden Community project in Essex. Both projects have seen extensive evidence base work to justify the viability of these requirements, as well as significant community support and a major legal challenge to defend the legality of local authorities setting their own standards above and beyond building regulations.

Would you like to know more about how local authorities can set policies for net zero buildings in their local plans? The TCPA’s recently updated resource page gathers together the latest information to help local authorities navigate this so they can consider their options:

TCPA Resource: Setting local plan policies for net zero buildings

There were a number of interesting points of discussion around net zero – for example, thinking about embodied carbon in schemes, and even a policy approach dealing with minerals and waste in Essex and how this sector is transitioning towards net zero. At Salt Cross, the ambitious approach isn’t just about the energy efficiency standards of homes – they are also targeting 25% BNG and 50% green space, highlighting the importance of an exemplary development to the local community – to make Salt Cross the best it can be. The Council worked with local universities to develop this approach and it has recently been recognised by the likes of Homes England as exemplary.

We then heard from Cat Moncrieff – Policy Manager at the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, which is running a new project called Enabling Water Smart Communities, funded by Ofwat. Cat highlighted the many shared challenges between the water and housing sectors, including over 100,000 homes currently delayed due to water scarcity and issues with water treatment infrastructure. This series of projects and enabling actions is investigating a wide range of things that planners can do to address these issues, including building homes that are more water efficient, for example through greywater reuse, this includes case studies and cost estimates of water reuse systems, as well as building awareness of the incentive payments that water companies can offer to developers for water efficiency measures.

Finally, we heard from Ed Lockett at DEFRA, who has been working on the updated national SuDS standards, published in June 2025. While still non-statutory in nature, these highlight the four objectives of SuDS: controlling the quantity of runoff, managing the quality of runoff, creating better places for people and nature. The new standards introduce a hierarchy of priorities to guide SuDS design, and Ed highlighted the work that is being done by the Ministry and forthcoming consideration of the wider stewardship of SuDs. The discussion that followed recognised the challenges of Britain’s aging water infrastructure, and the need for cross-industry collaboration and joint working to address water shortage and runoff issues, particularly in relation to new settlements.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the TCPA’s New Communities Group, please get in touch with Lachlan Anderson-Frank. The TCPA’s New Communities Group offers support for local authorities delivering large scale housing growth through workshops, webinars and policy briefings, and members can access archive recordings of past events. You can find out more here: TCPA New Communities Group.

Webinar agenda

2:00pm Welcome from the ChairCatriona Riddell – TCPA Trustee2:05pmEmbedding sustainable infrastructure policies in development plan documentsFiona Hunter – Senior Planner, Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Project2:15pmSalt Cross Garden Village’s Net Zero policyAndrea Clenton, Major Development Programme Lead, West Oxfordshire District Council2:25pmQ&A2:45pmEnabling Water Smart Communities Project – cross sector delivery and stewardship for integrated water managementCat Moncrieff – Policy Manager, The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management2:55pmThe New National standards for SuDSEd Lockett – Drainage and Wastewater Team, DEFRA3:05pmQ&A3:25pmClosing Remarks

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) member organisation

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Stewardship for New Communities
2025-10-16 10:00 - 11:30
In this webinar, we will explore current issues and opportunities for long-term stewardship in new communities. Drawing on practical experience from current and recent projects the session will explore transferable lessons for those planning for long-term stewardship in new communities. As the New Towns Taskforce publishes its final report highlighting the importance of stewardship, and debate is live on issues such as commonhold, which may have an impact on stewardship, this timely session will also provide space to discuss potential future reforms.

Part of our TCPA New Communities Group series of events, this webinar will offer valuable insight for local councils, planners and communities.The TCPA has produced a wealth of guidance and resources to support those interested long-term stewardship of new communities including a toolkit, briefing note on governance, guidance on securing long-term stewardship through the Development Plan, and two research reports on lessons and barriers from recent experience, drawing on learning from the New Communities Group.

Area of work: Long-term stewardship

This event is kindly supported by Adam Architecture.

Draft agenda

Time Speaker 10:00 Welcome from the ChairCatriona Riddell – TCPA Vice Chair10:05 Hugh Petter, Director, Adam ArchitectureA patient approach to creating communities10:20Mark Patchett, Founder, Community Stewardship SolutionsRecent lessons from new communities and embedding stewardship through an SPD in Calderdale10:35Q&A10:45Alan Carter, Chief Executive, The Land TrustCurrent projects and lessons from large scale sites11:00Suzanne Keenan, Senior Manager, Homes EnglandHomes England’s emerging approach to long term stewardship principals11:10Discussion11:25 Closing remarks

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) member organisation

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Launch Webinar: Practical Hope Community Guides
2025-10-21 19:00 - 20:00
Free

Please join us for the launch of the TCPA’s new suite of Community Planning Guides as part of the TCPA’s Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community Action series.

By exploring a range of case studies from around the country, we aim to highlight how local communities across the UK are putting sustainable planning principles into practise and making real change happen on the ground. This year, we have produced guides on three of the most pressing issues facing communities in relation to climate change.

Register for free here. You can access the guides by clicking on the images below.

Community guide to flood risk

Community guide to overheating

Community guide to retrofit

This webinar will provide an overview of the guides, which showcase and champion the practical ways in which communities can work towards tackling the challenges posed by flooding, overheating, and community retrofit in their areas. We will hear from the TCPA about the project and from speakers working with communities to enable community action including Local Trust, National Flood Forum and Shade the UK. We hope these resources will showcase what is possible and provide useful ideas, advice and links to community groups across England.

Draft agenda:

7pmWelcome and IntroductionsHugh Ellis, TCPA7:05Setting the context: the opportunity for communities to enable place based changeMadeleine Jennings, Head of Policy and Communications, Local Trust7:15Championing the voice of flooded peopleTracey Garrett, CEO, National Flood Forum7:25Addressing overheating in the UK through shadePolly Turton, Head of Climate Action and Public health, Shade the UK7:35Bristol Neighbourhood retrofit scoping projectSteven Cole, Retrofit Projects Manager, Centre for Sustainable Energy7:45Q&AHugh Ellis (chair)8pmClose

Pages: Preview extracts of the Community Guide to Flood Risk and Community Guide to Overheating

We are most grateful to the Lady Margaret Paterson Osborn Trust for making this project possible.

Register for free:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EfPJCs5dQiqNITJJJ5P-wg

Tackling health inequalities through green and blue infrastructure - webinar
2025-10-23 12:00 - 13:30
Can green and blue infrastructure help reduce health inequalities? Join this free webinar that will delve into the latest research linking planning, green / blue space, and health inequalities. Led by Professor Ben Wheeler and Dr Mark Ferguson, from the University of Exeter, they will critically engage with opportunities and risks that planners face when integrating green and blue space. Then they will provide insights into how a ‘systems approach’ can identify, and minimise, unintended consequences, and maximise health benefits for your places and communities.

Agenda

TimeSpeaker12.00-12.20Introduction and evidence on green/blue infrastructure and health inequalities. Julia Thrift, TCPA Director, Healthier Place-making & Prof Ben Wheeler, Professor in Environment, Health and Inequalities12.20-12.35NIHR funded research project: How can planning and environmental interventions impact GBI-health inequalities systems? Prof Ben Wheeler & Dr Mark Ferguson12.35-12.50Case study: Greenspace access, public health and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy in urban and rural Dorset. Rupert Lloyd, Senior Health Programme Advisor & Amy Smith, Local Nature Recovery Officer, Dorset Council 12.50-13.30Q&A with the audience and discussion

Register to attend

TCPA Annual Conference 2025: The purpose of planning
2025-11-27 10:00 - 15:30 | Regents University, London, Regents University, London
The Westminster government has embarked on what it has referred to as the biggest changes to English planning in a generation. This has been motivated by the government’s desire to deliver its economic growth mission, and a target of 1.5m new homes.

Planning has also been described by some, rather mischievously, as a ‘system without a purpose’. But many, including the TCPA, argue that the planning system can be transformational. So, what should the purpose of the planning system be? What is the role of local democracy and communities in planning? And how can the tension between economic growth and development and protecting the environment be managed?

The final session will look at planning reform, including ongoing legislative changes and implementation of previous initiatives. In this session we will explore how planners and plan-makers can move forwards over the next year in spite of uncertainty.

We are grateful for the support of Greenbelt Group and LDA Design.

Session 1: The big picture (Arrivals from 10am for 10:30am start)

10:00-10:30 Registration and Networking10:30 Welcome and introduction from the ChairAndrew Pritchard, TCPA Chair10:35Panel 1: What is the purpose of planning?Frazer Osment, LDA Design Rose Grayston, Independent AdvisorYvonne Rydin, UCLFollowed by panel discussion and audience Q&A11:25Case Study Session 1: Communities as an essential ingredient in planning and sustainable developmentDeveloping Community-led development at scale in Frome – the Mayday Saxonvale project Paul Oster, Director, MaydayAudience Q&A 11:50Case study session 2: Managing nature recovery and green spaces for all Managing green spaces for long-term successRobin Waddell, Greenbelt GroupDelivering the Enfield Chase Landscape Recovery Programme, a DEFRA pilot for environmental land managementIan Russell, Principal Watercourses Engineer, Enfield CouncilPublishing a front runner local nature recovery strategy – lessons from NorthamptonshireAndra Stopforth, BNG and LNRS Lead Officer, North Northamptonshire CouncilAudience Q&A 12:30-13:25 Lunch and networking

Session 2: Planning for the environment (1:30pm)

The government has repeatedly argued that the environment has been a barrier to its aims for economic growth. Nature recovery and climate adaptation are at the forefront of government policy frameworks, so, how can planning and development manage growth while protecting the environment in the long-term? This session explores these tensions at a national level.

13:30 Welcome back from the ChairFiona Howie, TCPA13:35Afternoon keynote: What the proposals in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill mean in practice for the environment and planningAlex Goodman KC, Landmark Chambers14:00 Audience Q&A

Session 3: Moving to the new system (2:10pm)

Faced with multiple changes to English planning policy and structures, many councils are wondering whether to delay their Local Plans. Our final session will consider the latest planning reform updates from the Chief Planner, and then look in more detail at how local planning authorities should approach the next year, with speakers from PAS and the Local Government Association setting out the challenges and opportunities.

14:10Planning reform – an updateJoanna Averley, Chief Planner, MHCLG14:25Audience Q&A14:40Panel 2: How should local planning authorities approach the next year? Anna Rose, Head of the Planning Advisory ServiceGeorgina Brightwell, Senior Policy Advisor, Housing Planning and Homelessness, Local Government Association15:10Audience Q&A Chair: Hugh Ellis, TCPA15:30 Final remarks from the Chair

Agenda subject to change

Book now to secure your place as places are limited – last few tickets remaining.

Annual TCPA memberships are £62 for standard, £36 for concessions and £16 for students, click here to find out more

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) or TCPA member organisation

Concessions tickets for community groups

If you are part of a small community group and could not afford to attend otherwise, we have a number of concessionary tickets available at a reduced rate, at the discretion of the TCPA. Please email jeanette.aves@tcpa.org.uk to see if you are eligible.

Planning for the Climate Crisis: A guide for local authorities (launch webinar)
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00
Join the TCPA and the RTPI for the launch of the fifth edition of their authoritative guidance on planning for climate change.

The webinar will include:

A case study from Winchester City Council, reflecting on how they have worked to secure climate policies in their new local plan (currently at examination)

An overview of the climate guide and the policy issues it addresses

Updates from the TCPA and the RTPI on their work on this agenda.

This edition of the climate guide takes a new format, being formed of a series of topic resources grouped under the headings of introduction and policy context, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation. These cover policy across the four devolved nations, opportunities to reduce carbon emissions from buildings, energy and transport, and key adaptation issues for the built environment including overheating, flood risk and coastal planning.

This webinar is for:

Local authority planning officers, councillors and practitioners interested in how planning can deliver climate action. It will also be of interest to those working on development plan documents including spatial development strategies, local plans, and neighbourhood plans.

Agenda
12:00-12:10 Introduction from the TCPA – Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy 12:10-12:20 Championing the power of planning to address the climate crisis – Jan Bessell, Vice President of the RTPI 12:20-12:30 Securing ambitious climate policies in the Winchester Local Plan – Adrian Fox, Strategic Planning Manager, Winchester City Council 12:30-12:40 An overview of the climate guide topic resources – Celia Davis, Senior Projects and Policy Manager, TCPA  12:40-12:55 Q&A 12:55-1:00 Acknowledgements and webinar close

To join the webinar, register using this Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D3j6mFj9TEKwQqESbLyM1w

Webinar ID: 874 4772 2428

Plants, puddles and possibility: the importance of natural play for children
2026-01-26 11:30 - 13:00
From muddy knees to makeshift dens, everyday playful encounters with nature are far more than a ‘nice to have’ in childhood. Evidence shows that contact with plants, trees, soil and water supports children’s physical health, cognitive development, mental wellbeing and social connectedness, and can help close health gaps between more and less advantaged children.

This webinar will explore what we mean by “natural play” and explore the evidence on why it matters for children, especially those growing up in increasingly dense, risk-averse and urban environments.

We’ll look at how green and “wild” spaces nurture creativity, resilience and build connection to nature and how spaces and places for natural play can be created and managed. We’ll also reflect on some of the cultural and systemic barriers that developers, planners, landscape architects and play practitioners face, from fears over safety and maintenance regimes, to approaches to mess, liability and supervision.

The webinar is an invitation to join us in thinking about how to make sure plants, puddles and possibility are part of every child’s everyday life.

Agenda and speakers (TBC)

11:30Welcome and introductionJulia Thrift – Director Healthier place-making, TCPA11:45Children and nature – a vital relationshipDr William Bird – Intelligent Health12:00Playful, sustainable and inclusive landscapesand gardens – making it happenAndree Davies and Adam White – Davies White Landscape Architects12:20Natural, playful spaces – learning from Better Place BradfordAdele Adams – Project Manager, Better Place – Better Start Bradford12:40Q&AAll

Supported by:

One role, multiple systems: public health and planning roles in Local Authorities
2026-02-25 11:30 - 12:30
Webinar

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Over the last few years there has been an increase in specialist healthy places roles in local government. These roles are often based in Public Health or Planning teams but work across systems as part of Health in All Policies approaches. Recent PHIRST research into these types of roles in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc  and East Sussex and Southampton demonstrate that they support efforts to promote healthy environments in local authority settings and are impactful agents of change, influencing policy, processes and people.

Join us for a discussion with three people experienced in hybrid public health and planning roles in English local authorities, sharing what it takes to make these posts happen and what they can deliver once in place.

We’ll be talking with:

Lourdes Madigasekera-Elliott Public Health Strategic Lead: Creating Healthy and Sustainable Places, East Sussex County Council

Lourdes is the public health strategic lead for Creating Healthy Places. She is responsible for addressing the environmental determinants of health, ecological public health, getting health into place and embedding Health, Environment and Sustainability in All Policies. Lourdes works to support population health management, to address health inequalities, social injustice, and environmental protection.

Dr David McAleavey Creating Active and Healthy Places Lead, Middlesbrough Council (Public Health South Tees)

Dr David McAleavey is a behavioural scientist and public health spatial planner integrating planning, transport and public health across South Tees, advancing whole‑systems approaches that embed physical activity, Health in All Policies, and healthier environments into spatial planning and local policy frameworks.

Kim Wilson MRTPI Public Health Principal – Built Environment, Milton Keynes Council

Kim is a Public Health Principal specialising in Healthy Places and the Built Environment. She is a qualified town planner with over 30 years’ experience in Local Authority settings. Working in the shared Public Health Service for Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, Kim leads work to integrate public health evidence into a range of disciplines, working across planning, transport, housing and environmental policy to support the creation of healthier, more equitable, and resilient places.

The webinar is aimed at anyone interested in enabling similar roles, as well as people who might be interested in taking them up. The session will cover: how health and planning roles can emerge; place-based outcomes they’ve helped achieve (from policy influence to culture change); and challenges and opportunities moving forwards.

This event is being held in collaboration with the Health & Wellbeing in Planning Network which aims to support practitioners working in the area of promoting health through planning and the built environment..

Supported by:

Transport for New Communities
2026-03-31 10:30 - 12:00
The NPPF and Circular 01/2022 now provide for a positive, vision-led approach to transport planning for new communities, and this has only been strengthened in the recently published draft NPPF.

This webinar held on Zoom will look at these national policy shifts in transport development and new tools aiding in design and delivery. It will explore how planners can look at place connectivity for large scale development, examine proposals in the draft NPPF that facilitate development around underutilised train stations, and consider the role of vision-led transport planning when planning for new settlements.

We will be hearing from the Department for Transport, as well as private and public sector planners delivering major new transport schemes to help unlock development. We’ll then be hearing about the TCPA’s guidance for local authorities on Planning for the Climate Crisis: Promoting sustainable transport through planning.

Important: This event is free for officers from the TCPA New Communities group, with paid tickets also available. You can check if your authority is a member here: TCPA New Communities Group.

This is part of the TCPA New Communities Group programme of events.

This event is kindly supported by Rovia Transport Planning.

Draft agenda

TimeSpeaker10:30Welcome from the Chair, Catriona Riddell, TCPA Vice Chair10:35Creating Connected Communities – Past Experiences and Future Changes David Bird, Director, Rovia Transport Planning and former founding Director of VectosRoger Flowerday, Group Manager Local Plans and Strategic Development, Hertfordshire County Council10:55Q&A11:15DfT’s Connectivity Tool Robert Singleton, Head of Planning, Department for Transport11:25TCPA Guide to Planning for the Climate Crisis: Promoting sustainable transport through planningCelia Davis, Senior Policy and Project Manager, TCPA11:35Q&A11:55NCG Update Lachlan Anderson-Frank, Projects and Policy Manager, TCPA12:00Close

Check to see if you are part of a New Communities Group (NCG) member organisation

About Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) Memberships

Bringing young people together to make better places: a case study from PLACED on youth voice
2026-04-28 16:00 - 17:00
Webinar

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Engaging young people in planning brings insight into how places are used everyday. Their perspectives can highlight what supports, or limits, play, movement, safety and social connection in ways that are too often overlooked by adults.

When done well, engagement with children and young people is practical and purposeful, allowing them to actively shape decisions rather than simply inform them. Youth engagement can lead to more inclusive, well-used places that work better for everyone, and ensures that children and young people feel recognised as part of the communities they live in.

PLACED have been involving children and young people in the design of places since 2011. Their work with young people provides invaluable insight into the views of this key, often underrepresented group, but it also delivers significant social value through building confidence, exploring career options and encouraging active citizenship.

In this webinar we will here from Jo Harrop, PLACED Director about meaningful engagement, a young person engaged with the PLACED Academy programme and Lily Dowse on PLACED’s recent work engaging over 200 young people to reimagine the town centres of Rochdale, Middleton, and Heywood.

This event supports the TCPA’s ongoing work on the rights, needs and voices of children and young people in the built environment, including case studies and guidance on embedding children and young people in planning policy.

Supported by:

TCPA Summer Conference: Strategic planning for inclusive growth
2026-06-22 10:00 - 14:30
Pinsent Masons, 30 Crown Pl, Earl St, London EC2A 4ES

As England embarks on a transformative period of strategic spatial planning through Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs), the TCPA’s summer conference will bring together those working at the coalface who are beginning to develop strategic plans for their areas.

Government continues to clarify the legislative and policy framework for subregional spatial development strategies against the backdrop of ongoing local government reorganisation. SDSs are designed to provide positive, long-term spatial visions for investment, new homes and infrastructure that align with economic, social and environmental goals, with clear duties embedded in the Planning and Infrastructure Act and Devolution Bill.

For some these will be seen as much needed growth strategies. But how do places make sure that growth is inclusive? And how do they meet their duties to have regard to health and health inequalities alongside sustainable development and climate resilience?

This conference explores not only why SDSs are returning, but how they can actively drive inclusive and sustainable growth – closing gaps between places, improving health outcomes, coordinating infrastructure, and shaping long‑term spatial investment. It will provide vital insight to planning and placemaking officers and members in emerging and established strategic authorities to make ready and prepare for developing their Spatial Development Strategy by 2029.

We are grateful to our hosts and sponsors Pinsent Masons and Prior and Partners for supporting this event, alongside the Lady Margaret Paterson Osborn Trust.

We want our events to be accessible, welcoming and engaging for everyone. This includes supporting any access, religious or dietary requirements. See the documents below for more details.

Draft Agenda

Please note this agenda is subject to change.

Session 1: The return of strategic planning (Arrivals from 10am for 10:30am start+

10:00–10:30 Arrivals and registration 10:30Introduction from Andrew Pritchard, TCPA Chair10:40-11:40Session 1: This first session will set the scene and give an overview of the progress of universal strategic plan coverage by 2029. We will hear from MHCLG to clarify the legal duties under the Planning & Infrastructure Act 2025 and what this mean for SDSs as vehicles for inclusive, sustainable growth. We will then hear what early work authorities can do to improve their readiness.

Session 2: Emerging approaches to inclusive growth (11:45am)+

11:45 – 12:45Session 2: This session brings together senior policy and public health leaders to explore how different places are translating inclusive and sustainable growth principles into spatial priorities – using SDSs to integrate economic, social, environmental, climate and health evidence into a strategic vision for their areas. This session will explore what SDSs should focus on and what is better left to local plans. It will also look at what can done to start the process. 12:45-1:30Lunch

Session 3: Strategic housing growth in SDSs (1:30pm)+

1:30 – 2:15Session 3: Many voices, including the New Towns Taskforce have argued that planning for housing including large scale new communities would be easier if we had larger than local planning. What opportunities do strategic plans present against the future devolution of housing and funding powers, and how do we make sure that new communities and wider housing strategies deliver inclusive growth? This panel discussion will consider large-scale urban extensions and new settlements and what specific approaches are needed to support the delivery of very large super strategic sites.2:15-2:30pmClosing remarks 2:30pmConference ends
