Planning Convention and Parliamentary reception huge successes

The RTPI's Planning Convention 2012: Making it work! and our Parliamentary reception (27 June and 26 June respectively) were both judged to be huge successes by attendees.

Planning Convention

Supported by headline sponsor Bircham Dyson Bell, the Planning Convention's innovative one day format was a sell out  and brought together big picture plenaries and special interests sessions focusing on RTPI members' professional training and development needs. Leading speakers tackled some of the most difficult and pressing issues including, the new planning agenda in England, cities in the UK, national infrastructure planning and RTPI’s new “Map for England”.

Pictured right: Robbie Owen from Bircham Dyson Bell at the drinks reception after Planning Convention.

Listen to Decentralisation and Cities Minister the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP's speech.

Listen to a ten minute podcast by Angus Walker and Robbie Owen on whether the National infrastructure planning system is fit for purpose.

Listen to a 50 minute recording of the special interest session sponsored by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners, titled 'Neighbourhood planning - making it work!'.

Delegates who completed our questionnaire were entered into a draw to win £100 worth of RTPI Plus benefits. The winners are Ray Yorke and Claire Victory – congratulations!

See pictures from the Convention and the Convention drinks reception.

Parliamentary reception 

The highlight of the Parliamentary reception at the House of Commons, kindly hosted by the Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP and sponsored by British Land, was a speech by the Secretary of State for DCLG, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP who thanked the Institute for its constructive approach to the National Planning Policy Framework and for suggestions the RTPI made which the Government adopted.

Pictured left: The Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government speaking at the reception.

Colin Haylock, RTPI President said: "Both events were extremely well attended. We want to continue to ensure the voice of the RTPI is heard at every level enabling us to influence the policy debate."

Pictured right: Miles Price from British Land shares a word with Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP.

See more pictures from the Parliamentary drinks reception.