Building Sustainable Towns and Cities

The revised national Planning Policy Framework introduces a number of important changes to help deliver the Government’s housing ambitions, but is just one part of a much bigger jigsaw. How is the new NPPF being implemented, and what other changes can we expect?

Dr Michael Bingham

Head of Planning Strategy, MHCLG

With the current trends in population growth and economic development set to increase the demand for housing is becoming even more critical. The current Government has pledged its commitment to build more homes. Through the  25 year environment plan the Government will ensure that they support development and the environment by embedding the principle that new development should result in net environmental gain – with neglected or degraded land returned to health and habitats for wildlife restored or created.

Lindsay Roome

Net Gain Policy, Natural Environment Directorate, Defra

Beyond Lump Sum Remediation focuses on the industries changing attitude towards ‘risk’ and how successful remediation can be delivered without winners or losers. Joe draws upon his extensive experience within the industry help bring to life some examples of how appropriate contract selection and early contractor engagement can result in equitable solutions for both clients and contractors alike.

Joe Jackson

Managing Director, Keltbray Remediation

City centres do not have unlimited supplies of land so accommodating continually growing numbers of residents and businesses requires difficult policy choices about which properties to prioritise. Cities must ensure the commercial heart of the city is not squeezed by housing development if they are to continue to provide jobs for people who live in and around them.

Anthony Breach

Analyst, Centre for Cities

Launched in 2013 with just 12 areas the One Public Estate has grown into an established national programme delivered in partnership by the LGA and the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit (GPU). The programme is now working with more than 250 councils on projects that are transforming local communities and public services across the nation. Gain an insight into how through the programmes three core objectives of:

• creating economic growth (new homes and jobs);
• delivering more integrated, customer-focused services; and
• generating efficiencies, through capital receipts and reduced running costs.

The programme is now set to generate 44,000 jobs, releasing land for 25,000 homes, raising £615 million in capital receipts from sales, and cutting running costs by £158 million.

Michael O’Doherty

Regional Programme Manager, Cabinet Office/LGA, One Public Estate

TBC

To extend a famous quote: “Design is not just what something looks like, how it feels & how it works, it is also how it makes a place more sustainable.”.  Increased investment in urban infrastructure is a welcome necessity for our growing towns and cities.  But to maximise the contribution of infrastructure to liveability and placemaking, as well as making a place work, it needs to be the right option delivered at the right quality.  In this context design approaches are evolving rapidly such as through digitalisation, offsite modular design and the need to address emerging challenges such as resilience to a changing climate.  

Chris Fry

Managing Director, Accelar Limited

Located on a brownfield site, the Malings project in Ouseburn Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a groundbreaking collection of seventy-six homes designed by Ash Sakula Architects carried out for Newcastle City Council and Igloo.  Highly environmentally sustainable including measures; fabric first approach, MVHR in all homes, south facing sloping roofs with PV panels, ingenious SUDS design and an eco-friendly approach including ample cycle storage and micro-allotments. 

The most exciting part of this project, however, it’s not just its environmental sustainability but its community sustainability. Ash Sakula Architects have conducted a post-occupancy study with a difference called ‘The People of the Malings’. Having interviewed many of the new residents to find out what they like and dislike about living at The Malings, they discovered things which have not only informed the clients next briefing processes but have allowed them to understand what elements of architecture have created a close-knit community.

Sarah Beth Riley

Associate, Ash Sakula Architects

Marcus Adams, JTP’s Managing Partner, will explain the approach and design for the masterplan for the regeneration of an inaccessible, underutilised and heavily contaminated former gasworks into a multi-
award-winning urban quarter.

3,750 homes, leisure and retail will be set in 5.6ha of public spaces, including a kilometre of revitalised canalside, cycle and footpaths, and connections to Minet Country Park.

Marcus Adams

Managing Partner, JTP