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CPA Events Calendar
We regularly run Webinars on topical issues. See below for more details of any forthcoming events.
The Community Planning Alliance is completely run by volunteers. We do however have some 'corporate costs' that we have to pay. We are therefore very appreciative of any donation when you attend a webinar.
Alternatively, you can donate by clicking here.
The Community Planning Alliance is completely run by volunteers. We do however have some 'corporate costs' that we have to pay. We are therefore very appreciative of any donation when you attend a webinar.
Alternatively, you can donate by clicking here.
To ensure that you don't miss out, please sign up to receive emails from us by completing this form.
(Note: If you are unable to attend a webinar in person, you will find the recording on our Webinar Archive page.)
Planning Inquiries and Judicial Reviews: A Webinar for Community Groups
1st April 2025: 5.00-6.00pm
Community Planning Alliance is delighted to host this webinar in which Peter and Michael from Six Pump Court Chambers will talk us through Planning Inquiries and Judicial Review challenges.
Peter Cruickshank is a barrister practising in planning and environmental law. Peter recently represented a community group as a Rule 6 Party for a planning inquiry which lasted several weeks. The multi-million pound proposal was for large film studio development on greenbelt countryside, and issues included impact on local residents, flood risk, and transport safety. Peter has also recently represented a community group in a two-day judicial review at the Royal Courts of Justice. The claim was to the grant of permission for a substantial bridge being built into a nature park. The grounds of challenge included Environmental Impact Assessment, the application of the local plan, and democratic accountability. Peter is joint editor of key chapters of Butterworths Planning Law Service, including planning policy and the plan making process, and he is a contributor to Garner's Environmental Law. Peter is also a Co-Convenor of the UKELA Litigation Working Party, where he recently gave a talk to members about the latest developments in environmental judicial review.
Dr Michael Bowes is a pupil barrister at 6 Pump Court. He joins 6 Pump Court with extensive experience as a solicitor, across environmental, planning, utilities, energy, and competition law. He has particular expertise in water law. His career history includes working with Eversheds Sutherland LLP and BCLP LLP as a senior regulatory specialist focusing on environmental, planning, competition and water law.
Peter and Michael will share their experiences and expertise and will give participants plenty of time to raise their questions.
Timescaping Planning: what's the problem, and who loses out
3rd June 2025: 5.00-6.00pm
We are delighted to welcome Prof Gavin Parker and Dr Mark Dobson, from the Planning Department at the University of Reading. We will be discussing why the powers-that-be seek to remove 'obstructionists' and 'nay-sayers' from the planning process in their headlong rush to get things built fast. We will find out whether this approach results in the right developments in the right places.
Gavin and Mark will present some of their recent work discussing time, speed and delay in planning from a critical perspective. This will include how different actors operate different times and how the planning system is ‘timescaped’ to suit some actors. This is set in the context of planning reform and political rhetoric that invokes blockers and delay. The talk will be of interest to community activists as it sets up a useful counter-point to recent and ongoing pressure to realise ‘project speed’.
Prof Gavin Parker has been Professor of Planning Studies at the University of Reading for 16 years and he has a long history of research and commentary regarding community involvement in planning stretching back to the 1990s. Notably his work on neighbourhood planning has indicated the need for support and accessibility to be ensured in fostering co-production and meaningful engagement. He has published seven books and over 125 research papers and reports. Recent research includes work for Nuffield on social justice and hyper-local planning and also on time in and for planning, which led to the recent publication of Slow Planning? Timescapes, Power and Democracy (Policy Press, 2024) with Mark Dobson.
Mark Dobson is Lecturer in Planning and Development at the University of Reading. Amongst other research on participation and the planning system, including on SCIs and pre-apps, he has just completed research for the RTPI on ‘Extensions of Time’ in development control and is co-author, with Gavin Parker, of Slow Planning? Timescapes, Power and Democracy (Policy Press, 2024).
We will give participants plenty of time to raise their questions.
