Pictured above: Jeremy Cahill QC - leading planning barrister from No5 Chambers with Elle Cass - planning partner at King Stuge

Leading property professionals from across the Midlands will be gathering together to discuss the controversial new Decentralisation and Localism Bill at the inaugural Midlands Planning Conference. 

Organised by the Birmingham offices of No5 Chambers and King Sturge, the conference on Thursday January 20, will comprise notable speakers Bob Neill - parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Communities and Local Government (CLG) with responsibility for local government and planning; Andrew Whittaker, Head of Planning - Home Builders Federation; Glenn Howells from award winning Glenn Howells Architects and after dinner speaker, Ken Livingstone.

No5 Chambers and King Sturge will also be heading topical talks looking at planning challenges and the economic outlook for new development.

Elle Cass, planning partner at King Sturge and speaker at the conference says, "Clearly the new Decentralisation and Localism Bill is a key issue on the lips of most planning professionals both in the public and private sector, fuelled by the uncertainty of what 'localism' means for the industry.  

By January we hope to have more clarity on the situation as the content of the bill is revealed and so the conference will hope to provoke discussion and positive direction on how we can all move forward."

In addition to topical talks, the conference to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nottingham, will also include several interactive afternoon sessions to choose from and a charity dinner which will give delegates the opportunity to network.

Jeremy Cahill QC, a leading planning barrister from No5 Chambers, added, "With such major changes to the planning system, there is bound to be a period of uncertainty amongst all involved.

"The conference will bring together first class speakers who have been at the heart of the debate, and from the strong response received to date, it is evident there are many who share a common concern about what the future holds for the planning system."