Better Places

In this episode, we explore how the planning system approaches data centres, what their designation as Critical National Infrastructure means, and the emerging proposals for AI Growth Zones.
Other key topics we discuss include:
- The Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to remove planning barriers for data centres.
- The Government’s recent classification of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure.
- The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its impact on data centres.
- The AI Opportunities Action Plan and what it means for future development.
- The challenges of energy consumption, the role of nuclear power, and how data centres benefit local communities.

You can listen to it here!

In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast. Account Director Siddo Dwyer sat down with Lambeth’s Cllr Rezina Chowdhury – Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air). 

The episode focused on current challenges and policies that she has overseen not just in Lambeth but ones that have had a London wide effect. This included:

We do hope you enjoy this insightful conversation, you can listen to the episode here.

We are delighted to share with you the first episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast for 2025. Our Managing Director Nick Dines sat down with the country’s highest rated planning solicitor – Simon Ricketts, Partner at Town Legal.
In this latest episode of the Better Places podcast Nick and Simon sought to summarise the key planning and local government changes announced by the Government in the run-up to Christmas, discussing:

For more information about Concilio, visit our website here - https://conciliocomms.com

On the latest edition of the Concilio Better Places Podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sat down with the Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Kieron Williams. 

The interview focussed on the Southwark Council’s recently published Securing the Future of Council Housing report. Over 100 councils formed an unprecedented coalition to identify five practical solutions for a fairer funding deal and reforms to kick-start the construction of new homes.

This surrounds an ongoing debate about plans to retrofit council properties and measures to bring their stock up to decent standard. We also discuss his journey as Leader of the Council, tackling the housing crisis, and the planning policies shaping Southwark today.

To hear this compelling discussion with Cllr Williams you can listen here!

On the latest edition of Better Places, we sat down with leading industry professionals across the property and planning sectors. We were delighted to interview Andy Cox - Director at Trigon development managers, Cat Fraser – Director at Turley planners, and Arron Taggart – Head of UK Investment at Cheyne Capital on their perspective as professionals in the field.
Hosted by our very own Siddo Dwyer, this was a fascinating discussion that sparked a lively debate on how our panel have shaped award-winning places and buildings across London, examining scheme viability, the need for community engagement and dynamics dominating the real estate investment market. The panel also dived into what they wanted to see from the new Labour government’s long-awaited planning policy changes in the United Kingdom.

We hope you find it as insightful as we have!

On our latest episode, Director Catherine Rose and Account Director Siddo Dwyer hosted a live recording of our Better Places Podcast at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. The panel explored the ways in which English devolution can be delivered in support of the new Labour government’s mission to build 1.5million new homes, how to deliver the required infrastructure to support this and how to bring local communities along through effective engagement. 
The panel included: 

John Denham – Director of English Labour Network 
Cllr Vince Maple – Leader, Medway Council 
Cllr Anthony Okereke – Leader, Greenwich Council 
Brenda Dacres – Mayor of Lewisham 
Cllr Shama Tatler – Cabinet Member for Regeneration Planning & Growth, Brent Council 
Graeme Craig – Chief Exec of Places for London 
Kevin Henson – Partner at Gerald Eve

On our latest edition of the better places podcast, we have a Haringey special and are joined by the trio of Cllr Ruth Gordon –the Cabinet Member for Housebuilding, Placemaking and Development, David Joyce –the Corporate Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning and Robbie Erbmann –the Assistant Director for Housing. In an insightful conversation with our Account Director Siddo Dwyer, a compelling discussion drew on the borough being open to investment, its placemaking schemes, council homes programmes, and Haringey being named the London Borough of Culture 2027. Concilio has considerable experience in Haringey, especially around Tottenham Hale, where working with Berkeley Square Developments we have helped to deliver:

Alongside this we are currently working on a major residential development in Crouch End

Cllr Anthony Okereke the Leader of the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich joins us for the latest instalment of the Better Places podcast. Anthony provides great insight into the past decade of growth in the borough and the measures his local authority is taking in enhancing its town centres, creating new places, the Royal Borough's Cultural Hub, and renewing its estates to meet the increased demand for housing.

In our latest edition we are joined by Cllr Andrew Judge the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development in the London Borough of Merton.
In a detailed and wide-ranging discussion Andrew lays out the plans for regenerating Merton’s high streets and town centres and touches on Merton’s cash injection from the Mayor of London. Andrew also examines the significance of initiatives that has made Merton London’s Borough of Sport and what the future holds in addressing general housing needs while encouraging investment as the borough expands its sport and leisure offer across the borough.

In this episode, we are joined by Cllr Omid Miri, Chair of Hammersmith & Fulham's Planning and Development Control Committee and aspiring London Assembly candidate for the London-wide list. Councillor Miri provides an insight into his experience as the Chair of Hammersmith & Fulham's Planning and Development Control Committee, the barriers to building more homes in the borough and the challenges facing development across the capital. Cllr Miri also discusses his pitch for the London Assembly London-wide list seat whilst looking ahead to the London and general elections taking place this year.