0
The UK’s land use landscape in 2025 is undergoing significant transformation, with reforms aimed at streamlining the planning process, changes to the leasehold system, local government reorganisation and addressing environmental priorities.
Key initiatives include proposals to speed up (and review) local plans, an increased emphasis on regional spatial strategies, a move away from two-tier local government to unitary authorities, and a ‘comprehensive new legal framework’ for commonhold. The regulation of privatised industry is also under scrutiny, with an Independent Water Commission due to make recommendations this summer on the regulation of the water industry and water company ownership models. Revisions to the environmental permitting regime are under consideration, and biodiversity net gain is also the subject of ongoing consultations. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 is set to play a pivotal role, accelerating development on brownfield land and boosting the pace of housing and major infrastructure delivery.
Guest headline speaker - Sir Andy Street
Sir Andy Street served as the first Mayor of the West Midlands from 2017 to 2024, helping to establish the West Midlands Combined Authority and oversee a huge influx of public and private investment into his home region. Prior to that he was managing director of John Lewis (having started his career there as a graduate trainee), guiding the employee-owned business to one of the most successful spells in its history – culminating in the department store chain being named the most trusted brand in Britain. He currently chairs Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and previously chaired the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. He has also served as the lead non-executive director for the Department for Communities and Local Government, as well as a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group. He was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to economic growth, and was knighted in 2025 for services to public service.
This year’s conference will explore some of the key changes and challenges facing the sector, identifying the implications of proposed reforms, and highlighting areas where further change may be necessary. Drawing on the cross-disciplinary expertise of our barristers, the conference will feature a dynamic programme of keynote talks and interactive breakout sessions. These sessions are designed to give attendees the opportunity to explore and discuss key issues in planning, property, public, and environmental law based on their professional focus.
