UK Planning Aid Conference 2010
Planning Aid Engaging with Communities

 This year’s National Planning Aid Conference is being held in Cardiff on Thursday 29^th April and the morning of Friday 30^th April 2010. It will bring together a range of people from all over the UK in a friendly, relaxed environment that will encourage them to exchange ideas, inspire, and learn from each other.  

The conference is open not only to planning aid staff and volunteers, but also to representatives from community and voluntary groups, community and town councils and others who have been or are currently involved with the planning system. The idea is that planning aid really only makes sense when it is supporting people within the community to help them realise their visions and practical projects.

Following a ministerial address by Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, a lively programme of workshops, discussion groups and field trips will showcase best practice examples of community engagement in planning as well as inspiring community initiatives that will benefit from planning aid support.

Amongst others, workshops will include a first-hand report on the Lammas eco-village in Pembrokeshire by Paul Wimbush, one of the founders of this groundbreaking initiative. Patrick Anderson of Planning Aid for London and Cllr Lorna Campbell of the London Borough of Lambeth will examine ways to accommodate the needs of non-traditional faith communities in local planning.  Ian Horsburgh of Planning Aid Wales will assemble a range of colleagues and clients to discuss how planning aid can help Gypsies and Travellers overcome planning hurdles. And delegates will explore the scope for local influence on decisions about nuclear power stations with Sue Webber and Sarah Martin of South West Planning Aid. 

There will also be opportunities to discuss and develop solutions to the common challenges faced when working with planners and communities.

The conference, which will be chaired by Kelvin MacDonald of the University of Cambridge, is an invaluable opportunity for those involved in planning aid and community work throughout the UK to come together to be inspired and develop new ideas.

Programme details and a booking form are available to download from www.planningaidwales.org.uk/conference or by contacting Marika Fusser on 01286 882 834 or marika@planningaidwales.org.uk. Also contact Marika if you are interested in bringing an exhibition stand.

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