National Planning
Conference
9th October 2025
Manchester, Hilton Deansgate
The conference is the UK’s leading event for professionals and policy makers.
A key focus of the 2025 National Planning Conference is fostering cross-sector collaboration to drive sustainable solutions and placemaking. With government policy and industry innovation at the forefront, discussions will tackle critical challenges, developing solutions for implementing change now while shaping the future growth of the industry.
Why attend?
Featuring a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops, the event is designed to inspire and inform attendees with actionable insights and practical solutions for advancing sustainable development and effective urban design.
Topical agenda
Dive into key industry challenges, policy updates, and innovative solutions.
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Networking
opportunities
Connect with professionals, decision-makers, and peers throughout the day.
Professional
development
Gain valuable insights and CPD-accredited learning to enhance your expertise.
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Pre-conference
drinks
Meet fellow attendees the night before for valuable connections ahead of the event.
Hosted By
Our Focus
This conference brings together policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals to tackle the most pressing challenges in planning and development.
Discussions will focus on climate resilience and sustainability, balancing housing delivery with affordability, and ensuring future-ready infrastructure and transport networks that support both economic growth and low-carbon solutions.
Agenda
Here are the main topics the Conference will cover:
Political & Legislative changes
Discussion on how policy changes, including green belt and land use reform, Biodiversity Net Gain implementation, and climate legislation, are shaping the future of planning.
Topics will include the role of planning in addressing carbon emissions, fracking, airport expansion, and fossil fuel extraction, with insights into how regulatory shifts will impact decision-making at all levels.
Unlocking Housing Development & Overcoming Barriers
Delivering affordable, high-quality housing in the right location remains a key challenge. This session will examine site categorisation, securing land for development, and addressing low build-out rates, alongside infrastructure bottlenecks that slow progress.
Delivering Growth & New Settlements
With increasing pressure to deliver well-planned communities, this session will examine new towns and regional development strategies, including the role of combined authorities and mayoral development corporations in shaping local growth.
Digital Transformation
& AI in Planning
This session will explore the impact of AI, spatial data visualisation, and emerging digital tools on planning processes.
Discussions will address how technology is revolutionising site assessments, community engagement, and decision-making, while balancing the need to uphold traditional planning principles in a fast-evolving landscape.
Interested in sponsoring?
Sponsoring our event is a unique opportunity to elevate your brand, connect with key industry leaders, and demonstrate your commitment to innovation and growth. As a sponsor, you will gain valuable exposure to a highly engaged audience, positioning your company as a key thought leader in the field.
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