Planning Unplugged

Following Womble Bond Dickinson's recent London Plan event featuring Deputy Mayor for Planning Jules Pipe CBE and Deputy Mayor for Housing Tom Copley Hon FRIBA, WBD partners Sarah White and Vicki Redman are joined by Greg Pitt (Stantec) and Joanna Christophides (Cratus) to reflect on the key themes emerging from the discussion. 

Exploring housing delivery, affordability, viability, infrastructure, growth and the practical challenges facing London, the episode considers what the proposed policy changes could mean for developers, local communities and the capital's future, as London moves towards a more pragmatic and streamlined planning framework.

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An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) has become a crucial consideration for both the private and public sectors as part of the planning process, but what should you take into account when preparing one? Join WBD partner Sarah White, solicitor Dana Cook, and social impact specialist Laura Walker from Equality Impact as they discuss the potential positive impact they can make on your next project, the consequences of neglecting an EqIA, and the need for expertise in the preparation process to ensure the most optimal outcome.

Want to hear more podcasts from WBD? Please visit our website here. Got a topic you'd want to see covered? Contact [email protected].

This episode was produced by: Sarah White, Dana Cook, Madina Yunus Sacranie, Laura Walker, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

How does water flow into the wider planning ecosystem and with an ever-changing environment impacting water scarcity and quality, what needs to be done to futureproof water needs in the UK? 

Join WBD legal director Sarah Holmes and solicitor Adam Richards as they discuss the considerations developers need to take into account with new bills on the table from the government and what changes the national infrastructure for water needs to provide modern solutions for modern developments.

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This episode was produced by: Sarah Holmes, Adam Richards, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

As a new government under Sir Keir Starmer settles into office, what will the planning landscape look like going forward?

Join WBD partners Lorrae Hendry, Sarah White, and managing associate James Clark as they discuss the new government's changes to planning – from how the push for affordable housing will impact communities, to what exactly is a 'Grey Belt' and how it will impact new plans and how nationally significant infrastructure projects will be shaped under a Labour government.

To listen to our previous episode on Beauty and Design, please click here. 

To check our our BNG Process Timeline, please visit our website here.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Lorrae Hendry, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

With desire to build new housing and developments in the UK remaining strong, how does planning impact building up rather than out? Join managing associate James Clark and partner Sarah White from Womble Bond Dickinson as they chat with Michael Forrester, the head of development management at Lewisham Council, about the unique needs tall buildings must meet in the planning sector, how councils are addressing developments looking to the skies, and the role of tall buildings in modern communities.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Michael Forrester, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

Join us for a special episode of Planning Unplugged as the team looks at what the three English parties with the most seats – Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats – bring to the table as part of their manifestos for the 2024 General Election when it comes to planning, the environment, and infrastructure.

Join managing associate James Clark, legal director Sarah Holmes and partner Sarah White as they chat through what each party has to offer and how it could impact the planning sector post 4 July.

This episode features James Clark, Sarah White and Sarah Holmes.

Information and production support from: Melinda Kovacs, Patrick Russell, Jasleen Sohal, Steph Herdman, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

May's local elections saw sweeping changes to councils up and down the UK – but once the voting is counted, what should planners and developers expect? Join WBD Managing Associate Helen Robinson, Associate Umi Filby, and Wakefield Council's Chief Legal Officer (and returning officer!) Gillian Marshall as they share what impact the local election process has on the day-to-day functions of a council, what goes on behind the scenes following the count completion, and some of the most interesting election days they've taken part in.

This episode was produced by: Helen Robinson, Umi Filby, Gillian Marshall, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

How does beauty factor into planning and is there a need to make something beautiful when designing something new? Join WBD Associate Nicola Cotton, Professor Matthew Carmona from University College London, and Frazer Osment from LDA Design as they discuss how beauty folds into good design practices and whether new design codes as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act encourage beautiful design.

This episode was produced by: Nicola Cotton, Frazer Osment, Matthew Carmona, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

How is the planning sector impacting women and how do we do better? Our host and managing associate James Clark is joined by legal director Sarah White, senior lecturer in planning at Leeds Beckett University Dr. Karen Horwood, and PHD researcher at the University of the West of England Jenna Dutton to talk about how the planning system and its impact on women has been shaped by history, what positive examples of planning for women could look like, and what the sector needs to take the next step.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Dr. Karen Horwood, Jenna Dutton, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

How does single family housing fit into the national plan for housing? Our host and managing associate James Clark is joined by managing associate Kate Ashworth and partner in WBD's residential team Tom Willows to talk about how transactions are shaped for single family housing deals, how planning plays a key role in ensuring a smooth development process, and the fine balance between ensuring suitable land use and maintaining housing supply.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Kate Ashworth, Tom Willows, Grace Billings, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.