The PLG held a roundtable meeting featuring insights from Rebecca Phillips, theProfessional Lead for Planning Appeals at the Planning Inspectorate. The session, attended by various stakeholders, delved into critical issues such as the impact of recent government changes on the appeals process, challenges faced by local authorities, and strategies for improving planning outcomes.

The PLG’s recent roundtable meeting with Fiona MacGregor and Jonathan Walters, Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive of the Regulator of Social Housing, provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and challenges within the social housing sector.

The PLG’s roundtable on Later Living brought together key stakeholders to discuss the pressing issues and potential solutions in older people’s housing. The meeting, chaired by Sir Gary Streeter MP, featured insights from experts including Prof. Les Mayhew, James Lloyd, John Collyns, and others, who explored the challenges of downsizing, the benefits of retirement villages, planning system reforms, and the necessity for government leadership in supporting the sector.

The latest PLG meeting hosted Alan Law, Deputy Chief Executive of Natural England, for an insightful discussion on the careful balance between environmental protection and development. The meeting emphasised the necessity for strategic, collaborative, and innovative solutions.

The meeting exploring the recently published Housing Market Study by the CMA shed light on critical housing sector challenges. From housing supply shortages to affordability concerns and the impact of planning regulations, stakeholders engaged in a comprehensive exploration of pertinent issues. The dialogue, inclusive of perspectives from SMEs, national developers, housing associations, and local authorities, emphasised the need for collaborative solutions to address the multifaceted dynamics of the housing market and delivery mechanisms. The discussion also ventured into the impact of private management of public amenities on housing estates.

The PLG convened a meeting hosting Baroness Taylor for a roundtable discussion delving into housing and the current state of the planning system, with a particular focus on recent developments under the current Government and changes that could be implemented should the Labour Party form the next Government. Specifically, the meeting explored Labour’s vision for new towns as a driving force for housing delivery and placemaking, as well as provision for affordable housing, a strategic review of the greenbelt, and innovation in the development sector.