The annual event, sponsored by Thrings for the fourth year, brings together chartered surveyors, planners, solicitors, land agents, farmers, landowners and rural professionals to look at the most pressing planning-related issues affecting rural stakeholders.
This year, a window into the Labour Party’s plans for rural prosperity will be provided in the keynote speech by the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rachael Maskell MP.
Thrings’ head of planning, Alex Madden, will be bringing the latest rural planning issues to life through a case-study-based role play involving a farmer and his planning consultant. Among other things, Alex will address issues such as the exercise of class Q permitted development rights (resi-conversion of rural buildings), enforcement notices, planning conditions and confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Thrings’ head of renewables, Helen Rumford, will take attendees through sustainable energy opportunities. Despite numerous challenges facing the sector in the last year - such as the ending of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), cuts to feed-in-tariffs, stricter planning policies and the uncertainty resulting from the UK’s departure from the EU – there is much reason to look optimistically to a bright renewables future in the UK.
Thrings will also share insight into the implications of Brexit on the planning community, as summarised in this article.
Please refer to the conference flyer for more information on the event, which will take place at the Williams F1 Conference Centre, Wantage, Oxfordshire.
