Planning Unplugged Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:02:56 -0400 http://www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk en-gb © 2026 Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP yes 6a03e1ce-62a9-544c-bf00-b9e31485a3be Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP episodic false Plan ahead with Planning Unplugged, the podcast series from Womble Bond Dickinson. In each episode, join members of the firm's UK planning team as they discuss changes in the sector - from biodiversity net gain to application fees - and what it means for you.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP https://storage.buzzsprout.com/uncbhhov4f36duuw46suw1s0ivcx?.jpg Planning Unplugged http://www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk Equality Impact Assessments Equality Impact Assessments An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) has become a crucial consideration for both the private and public sectors as part of the planning process, but what should you take into account when preparing one? Join WBD partner Sarah White, solicitor Dana Cook, and social impact specialist Laura Walker from Equality Impact as they discuss the potential positive impact they can make on your next project, the consequences of neglecting an EqIA, and the need for expertise in the preparation process to ensure the most optimal outcome.

Want to hear more podcasts from WBD? Please visit our website here. Got a topic you'd want to see covered? Contact pressoffice@wbd-uk.com.

This episode was produced by: Sarah White, Dana Cook, Madina Yunus Sacranie, Laura Walker, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) has become a crucial consideration for both the private and public sectors as part of the planning process, but what should you take into account when preparing one? Join WBD partner Sarah White, solicitor Dana Cook, and social impact specialist Laura Walker from Equality Impact as they discuss the potential positive impact they can make on your next project, the consequences of neglecting an EqIA, and the need for expertise in the preparation process to ensure the most optimal outcome.

Want to hear more podcasts from WBD? Please visit our website here. Got a topic you'd want to see covered? Contact pressoffice@wbd-uk.com.

This episode was produced by: Sarah White, Dana Cook, Madina Yunus Sacranie, Laura Walker, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-16017491 Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 1070 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, equality impact assessment 1 12 full false Dana Cook Sarah White Water Water How does water flow into the wider planning ecosystem and with an ever-changing environment impacting water scarcity and quality, what needs to be done to futureproof water needs in the UK? 

Join WBD legal director Sarah Holmes and solicitor Adam Richards as they discuss the considerations developers need to take into account with new bills on the table from the government and what changes the national infrastructure for water needs to provide modern solutions for modern developments.

Want to hear more podcasts from WBD? Visit our website.

This episode was produced by: Sarah Holmes, Adam Richards, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> How does water flow into the wider planning ecosystem and with an ever-changing environment impacting water scarcity and quality, what needs to be done to futureproof water needs in the UK? 

Join WBD legal director Sarah Holmes and solicitor Adam Richards as they discuss the considerations developers need to take into account with new bills on the table from the government and what changes the national infrastructure for water needs to provide modern solutions for modern developments.

Want to hear more podcasts from WBD? Visit our website.

This episode was produced by: Sarah Holmes, Adam Richards, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-15821591 Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000 1640 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, water planning, water scarcity, uk environment, ESG, 1 11 full false Adam Richards Sarah Holmes Planning Under A Labour Government Planning Under A Labour Government As a new government under Sir Keir Starmer settles into office, what will the planning landscape look like going forward?

Join WBD partners Lorrae Hendry, Sarah White, and managing associate James Clark as they discuss the new government's changes to planning – from how the push for affordable housing will impact communities, to what exactly is a 'Grey Belt' and how it will impact new plans and how nationally significant infrastructure projects will be shaped under a Labour government.

To listen to our previous episode on Beauty and Design, please click here. 

To check our our BNG Process Timeline, please visit our website here.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Lorrae Hendry, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> As a new government under Sir Keir Starmer settles into office, what will the planning landscape look like going forward?

Join WBD partners Lorrae Hendry, Sarah White, and managing associate James Clark as they discuss the new government's changes to planning – from how the push for affordable housing will impact communities, to what exactly is a 'Grey Belt' and how it will impact new plans and how nationally significant infrastructure projects will be shaped under a Labour government.

To listen to our previous episode on Beauty and Design, please click here. 

To check our our BNG Process Timeline, please visit our website here.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Lorrae Hendry, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-15661764 Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000 1781 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, labour government, uk government, government planning, planning under labour, local authorities 1 10 full false Lorrae Hendry Sarah White Tall Buildings Tall Buildings With desire to build new housing and developments in the UK remaining strong, how does planning impact building up rather than out? Join managing associate James Clark and partner Sarah White from Womble Bond Dickinson as they chat with Michael Forrester, the head of development management at Lewisham Council, about the unique needs tall buildings must meet in the planning sector, how councils are addressing developments looking to the skies, and the role of tall buildings in modern communities.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Michael Forrester, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> With desire to build new housing and developments in the UK remaining strong, how does planning impact building up rather than out? Join managing associate James Clark and partner Sarah White from Womble Bond Dickinson as they chat with Michael Forrester, the head of development management at Lewisham Council, about the unique needs tall buildings must meet in the planning sector, how councils are addressing developments looking to the skies, and the role of tall buildings in modern communities.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Michael Forrester, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-15390798 Wed, 10 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000 1475 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, tall buildings, town planning, uk housing, housing development, local authorities 1 9 full false Sarah White 2024 General Election 2024 General Election Join us for a special episode of Planning Unplugged as the team looks at what the three English parties with the most seats – Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats – bring to the table as part of their manifestos for the 2024 General Election when it comes to planning, the environment, and infrastructure.

Join managing associate James Clark, legal director Sarah Holmes and partner Sarah White as they chat through what each party has to offer and how it could impact the planning sector post 4 July.

This episode features James Clark, Sarah White and Sarah Holmes.

Information and production support from: Melinda Kovacs, Patrick Russell, Jasleen Sohal, Steph Herdman, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> Join us for a special episode of Planning Unplugged as the team looks at what the three English parties with the most seats – Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats – bring to the table as part of their manifestos for the 2024 General Election when it comes to planning, the environment, and infrastructure.

Join managing associate James Clark, legal director Sarah Holmes and partner Sarah White as they chat through what each party has to offer and how it could impact the planning sector post 4 July.

This episode features James Clark, Sarah White and Sarah Holmes.

Information and production support from: Melinda Kovacs, Patrick Russell, Jasleen Sohal, Steph Herdman, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-15347859 Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0000 1549 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, biodiversity net gain, public sector, local authorities, 2024 election, general election, 2024 general election 1 8 full false Sarah Holmes Sarah White 2024 Local Elections 2024 Local Elections May's local elections saw sweeping changes to councils up and down the UK – but once the voting is counted, what should planners and developers expect? Join WBD Managing Associate Helen Robinson, Associate Umi Filby, and Wakefield Council's Chief Legal Officer (and returning officer!) Gillian Marshall as they share what impact the local election process has on the day-to-day functions of a council, what goes on behind the scenes following the count completion, and some of the most interesting election days they've taken part in.

This episode was produced by: Helen Robinson, Umi Filby, Gillian Marshall, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> May's local elections saw sweeping changes to councils up and down the UK – but once the voting is counted, what should planners and developers expect? Join WBD Managing Associate Helen Robinson, Associate Umi Filby, and Wakefield Council's Chief Legal Officer (and returning officer!) Gillian Marshall as they share what impact the local election process has on the day-to-day functions of a council, what goes on behind the scenes following the count completion, and some of the most interesting election days they've taken part in.

This episode was produced by: Helen Robinson, Umi Filby, Gillian Marshall, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-15162103 Thu, 30 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000 1607 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, local elections, local government, public sector, property developers, real estate development 1 7 full false Helen Robinson Umi Filby Beauty and Good Design Beauty and Good Design How does beauty factor into planning and is there a need to make something beautiful when designing something new? Join WBD Associate Nicola Cotton, Professor Matthew Carmona from University College London, and Frazer Osment from LDA Design as they discuss how beauty folds into good design practices and whether new design codes as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act encourage beautiful design.

This episode was produced by: Nicola Cotton, Frazer Osment, Matthew Carmona, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> How does beauty factor into planning and is there a need to make something beautiful when designing something new? Join WBD Associate Nicola Cotton, Professor Matthew Carmona from University College London, and Frazer Osment from LDA Design as they discuss how beauty folds into good design practices and whether new design codes as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act encourage beautiful design.

This episode was produced by: Nicola Cotton, Frazer Osment, Matthew Carmona, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-14947416 Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000 1753 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, building design, property design, Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 1 6 full false Nicola Cotton Women and the Planning Sector Women and the Planning Sector How is the planning sector impacting women and how do we do better? Our host and managing associate James Clark is joined by legal director Sarah White, senior lecturer in planning at Leeds Beckett University Dr. Karen Horwood, and PHD researcher at the University of the West of England Jenna Dutton to talk about how the planning system and its impact on women has been shaped by history, what positive examples of planning for women could look like, and what the sector needs to take the next step.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Dr. Karen Horwood, Jenna Dutton, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> How is the planning sector impacting women and how do we do better? Our host and managing associate James Clark is joined by legal director Sarah White, senior lecturer in planning at Leeds Beckett University Dr. Karen Horwood, and PHD researcher at the University of the West of England Jenna Dutton to talk about how the planning system and its impact on women has been shaped by history, what positive examples of planning for women could look like, and what the sector needs to take the next step.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Sarah White, Dr. Karen Horwood, Jenna Dutton, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-14826284 Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000 1651 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, women in planning, women in law, women in property, diversity and equality, diversity equality and inclusion, gender equality, gender equity 1 5 full false Sarah White Single Family Housing Single Family Housing How does single family housing fit into the national plan for housing? Our host and managing associate James Clark is joined by managing associate Kate Ashworth and partner in WBD's residential team Tom Willows to talk about how transactions are shaped for single family housing deals, how planning plays a key role in ensuring a smooth development process, and the fine balance between ensuring suitable land use and maintaining housing supply.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Kate Ashworth, Tom Willows, Grace Billings, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> How does single family housing fit into the national plan for housing? Our host and managing associate James Clark is joined by managing associate Kate Ashworth and partner in WBD's residential team Tom Willows to talk about how transactions are shaped for single family housing deals, how planning plays a key role in ensuring a smooth development process, and the fine balance between ensuring suitable land use and maintaining housing supply.

This episode was produced by: James Clark, Kate Ashworth, Tom Willows, Grace Billings, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt, and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-14552979 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 1399 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, single family housing, public sector, local authorities, housing 1 4 full false Tom Willows Biodiversity Net Gain: Landowners Biodiversity Net Gain: Landowners What should landowners be expecting with the latest changes to biodiversity net gain regulations? Our host and managing associate Kate Ashworth is joined by managing associate James Clark and partner in WBD's agriculture team Andrew Farquharson to talk about what landowners should be looking for to take advantage of biodiversity net gain provisions and what basic management and responsibilities they should be tackling to maximise their land's potential.

This episode was produced by: Kate Ashworth, James Clark, Andrew Farquharson, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> What should landowners be expecting with the latest changes to biodiversity net gain regulations? Our host and managing associate Kate Ashworth is joined by managing associate James Clark and partner in WBD's agriculture team Andrew Farquharson to talk about what landowners should be looking for to take advantage of biodiversity net gain provisions and what basic management and responsibilities they should be tackling to maximise their land's potential.

This episode was produced by: Kate Ashworth, James Clark, Andrew Farquharson, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-14367604 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000 1243 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, biodiversity net gain, public sector, local authorities, landowners, private wealth, private client, HNW individuals, farmland, farmers, agriculture, UK farming 1 3 full false Andrew Farquharson Biodiversity Net Gain: Local Authorities Biodiversity Net Gain: Local Authorities As new biodiversity net gain regulations look to take effect from 2024, what should local authorities be doing to prepare? Our host and managing associate Kate Ashworth is joined by managing associates James Clark and Helen Robinson to talk about what steps authorities have to take to embrace the raft of changes, and how its not just the planning departments who need to keep an eye on the latest moves. 

This episode was produced by: Kate Ashworth, James Clark, Helen Robinson, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> As new biodiversity net gain regulations look to take effect from 2024, what should local authorities be doing to prepare? Our host and managing associate Kate Ashworth is joined by managing associates James Clark and Helen Robinson to talk about what steps authorities have to take to embrace the raft of changes, and how its not just the planning departments who need to keep an eye on the latest moves. 

This episode was produced by: Kate Ashworth, James Clark, Helen Robinson, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-14179027 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 1023 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, biodiversity net gain, public sector, local authorities 1 2 full false Helen Robinson Biodiversity Net Gain: Developers Biodiversity Net Gain: Developers With changes to biodiversity net gain regulations looming, what should developers be expecting to address when they line up to submit new applications? Our host and managing associate Kate Ashworth is joined by managing associates James Clark and Helen Robinson to talk about the new 10% requirement for applications, and why developers would be wary to move any newts before work starts. 

This episode was produced by: Kate Ashworth, James Clark, Helen Robinson, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> With changes to biodiversity net gain regulations looming, what should developers be expecting to address when they line up to submit new applications? Our host and managing associate Kate Ashworth is joined by managing associates James Clark and Helen Robinson to talk about the new 10% requirement for applications, and why developers would be wary to move any newts before work starts. 

This episode was produced by: Kate Ashworth, James Clark, Helen Robinson, Melinda Kovacs, Cal Behrendt and Libby Toogood.

]]> Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP Buzzsprout-14062429 Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000 1274 law, legal, legal podcast, podcast, planning law, planning, real estate, property, developers, biodiversity net gain 1 1 full false Helen Robinson