Planning Inspectorate webinars

Planning Inspectorate webinars have been introduced to engage and share learning with stakeholders across the planning system. They are free to attend and open to all.

Our webinars aim to:

• encourage knowledge exchange and professional development
• promote a more efficient approach to casework
• improve participation in processes
• share expertise and encourage best practice discussions

By participating in these webinars, we hope you’ll gain valuable insights into our processes, learn about recent developments in the planning system, and have the opportunity to engage with experts in the field.

Webinar recordings are added to this page once they are processed.

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Webinar 1 - Presenting your evidence in appeals: Good practice from inspectors

Watch: Presenting your evidence in appeals - Good practice from inspectors

Presentation slides: Presenting your evidence in appeals (PDF, 2.37 MB, 18 pages)

Hosted by Richard Schofield (Chief Planning Inspector) and Rebecca Phillips (Professional Lead for Planning Appeals), the webinar covers how to effectively present your case, common pitfalls to avoid, and other essential tips for participating in planning appeals.

The session included:

• best practices for preparing Statements of Common Ground and Statements of Case
• how to craft compelling Proofs of Evidence
• tips on being an effective witness during inquiries
• common mistakes that can weaken your case and how to avoid them
• insider tips on what inspectors look for in well-presented evidence

Webinar 2 - Achieving good design in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects

Watch: Achieving good design in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects

Presentation slides: Achieving good design in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (PDF, 8.39 MB, 58 pages)

Annie Coombs (Examining Inspector), Mike Hayes (Examining Inspector) and Richard Schofield (Chief Planning Inspector) present an insightful webinar on the crucial role of good design in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). 

This session covered a range of matters from policy considerations; the benefits of a good design approach; to practical advice on achieving good design in NSIPs, along with various good examples from recent NSIP applications that have come to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.

Webinar 3 - Approach to decision making in Green Belt appeals

Watch: Approach to decision making in Green Belt appeals

Presentation slides: Approach to decision making in green belt appeals (PDF, 1.19 MB, 11 pages)

Presented by Richard Schofield (Chief Planning Inspector) and David Smith (Planning Inspector) this webinar explains how Inspectors approach development proposals affecting Green Belt land.

Based on the training given to Inspectors undertaking S78 appeals, the session covers issues around inappropriate development, openness, the exceptions to inappropriate development and very special circumstances with reference to relevant caselaw. It also provides some indication of what is helpful to Inspectors when considering appeals in the Green Belt and what is less helpful.

Webinar 4 - Linear Infrastructure Projects: Best Practice in NSIP Applications

Watch: Linear Infrastructure Projects: Best Practice in NSIP Applications

Presentation slides: Linear Infrastructure Projects - Best Practice in NSIP Applications (PDF, 11.2 MB, 54 pages)

Examining Inspectors Annie Coombs and Richard Allen presented essential guidance for those involved in linear Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

The session covered:

• best practices for preparing and managing linear infrastructure applications
• addressing the challenges of schemes with long and varied geography
• managing interfaces with multiple landscapes, environmental features, communities and stakeholders
• working effectively with persons with rights over land, including Statutory Undertakers
• practical insights drawn from the Planning Inspectorate’s recently published advice on linear NSIPs

Drawing on their extensive experience examining major linear infrastructure schemes, the presenters provided valuable guidance for applicants, Interested Parties, and persons with rights over land.

The webinar expanded on our published advice for preparing applications for linear NSIPs, which includes guidance on pre-application engagement, environmental impact assessment, design evolution, construction planning, land rights, and Development Consent Order preparation.

Responses to webinar questions: Linear Infrastructure Projects (PDF, 146 KB, 8 pages)

Responses to webinar questions: Linear Infrastructure Projects (ODT, 63.5 KB)

Webinar 5 - Public rights of way casework: Best practice in opposed order written representations, hearings, and inquiries

Watch: Public rights of way casework: Best practice in opposed order written representations, hearings, and inquiries

Presentation slides: Public rights of way casework (PDF, 3.17 MB, 13 pages)

Presented by Heidi Cruickshank (Professional lead) and Harry Wood (team leader) this webinar is aimed at anyone involved in public rights of way opposed order cases, including order making authorities (OMAs), affected landowners, interested parties, and a range of access and land management stakeholders.

The webinar discussed a broad range of issues including the hearing and inquiry format and the circumstances in which the written representations procedure is recommended, the referral process from local authorities, best practice for document submission, the virtue of online document repositories, the use of virtual events, and case management conferences.

Responses to webinar questions: Public rights of way casework (ODT, 63.8 KB)

Responses to webinar questions: Public rights of way casework (PDF, 142 KB, 4 pages)

Webinar 6 - What is meant by a sustainable location?

Watch: What is meant by a sustainable location?

Presentation slides: What is meant by a sustainable location? (PDF, 2.12 MB, 27 pages)

Presented by Sheila Holden (Planning Inspector) this webinar covered how the 2024 National Planning Policy Framework’s new vision-led approach to transport planning affects development proposals.

The session covered:

• the difference between addressing transport and accessibility matters with the more traditional approach of assessing highway safety and capacity issues
• how the new transport hierarchy affects development proposals
• strategies for effective collaboration between planners and highway engineers
• methods to reduce car dependence through thoughtful location and design
• practical approaches to support active travel and public transport, reducing car dependence

Webinar 7 - Best practice in enforcement appeals

Watch: Best practice in enforcement appeals

Presentation slides: Best practice in enforcement appeals (PDF, 2.88 MB, 49 pages)

Presented by Claire Sherratt (Professional and Operations lead), John Murray (Inspector Manager) and Jean Russell (Inspector Manager) this webinar covered best practice in enforcement appeals.

The session covered:

• learning how to create complete, effective Enforcement Notices and avoid common pitfalls
• understand appeal grounds and how Inspectors approach decisions
• explore key concepts: planning units, use classifications, and their importance
• gain practical tips on enforcement appeal processes

Responses to webinar questions: Best practice in enforcement appeals (PDF, 71.3 KB, 6 pages)

Responses to webinar questions: Best practice in enforcement appeals (ODT, 21.4 KB)

Webinar 8 - Getting it right first time: Preparing your local plan for successful examination

RegisterWatch: Getting it right first time: Preparing your local plan for thissuccessful eventexamination

Presentation slides: Getting it right first time - Preparing your local plan for successful examination (PDF, 5 MB, 34 pages)

Presented by Simon Berkeley (Professional Lead for Local Plans) and Andrew Megginson (Service Owner - Plans Examination Service) this webinar providesprovided practical guidance on preparing local plans for examination and participating effectively in the examination process.

The session willcovered cover and give an insight into:

• the current legal and procedural requirements for local plan examinations
• when and how pragmatism is applied during examinations following recent ministerial guidance
• how to participate constructively in examination hearing sessions and work effectively with inspectors and programme officers
• an awareness of upcoming changes to the local plan system, including the new gateway approach and digital examination processes

Who should attend

• Planning officers, team leaders and politicians from local planning authorities
• Planning consultants working on local plan preparation
• Legal advisers supporting local plan processes
• Programme officers and examination support staff
• Senior managers overseeing local plan programmes
• Planning professionals from the private sector involved in local plan processes