LEADING MINDS WEBINARS
Our programme of webinars has been designed to help you rise above the challenges of development. Our technical experts will guide you through legislative challenges, development risks and sustainable solutions to maximise the profitability of current and upcoming schemes. Each virtual session will be delivered live and will feature a Q&A session.
Series programme
2022
Bugs, bushes and basins: an integrated approach to green infrastructure masterplanning - Tuesday 12th July
Past series
Planning for the future: reforms in a masterplanning context - Tuesday 7th June, 11am
Correctly assessing the risk of UXO on UK sites - Tuesday 26th April, 11am
What lies beneath: Assessing the risk from abandoned mine workings - Tuesday 1st March, 11am
Building near trees - Tuesday 18th January, 11am
Planning for better air quality - Tuesday 7th December, 11am
Development constraints management - Tuesday 21st September, 11am
Ancient woodlands and aged trees: planning and design risks - Tuesday 17th August, 11am
An introduction to cycling, micro-mobility and assessing sustainable travel - Tuesday 13th July, 11am
Is your site water tight? - Tuesday 8th June, 11am
The future of EIA after Brexit and changes to the planning regime - Thursday 20th May, 11am
Reducing heritage risk – Tuesday 4th May, 11am
Avoiding and managing waste on development sites – Tuesday 30th March, 11am
Bugs, bushes and basins: an integrated approach to green infrastructure masterplanning
Tuesday 12th July 2022, 11am
The integration of Landscape, Ecology and Hydrology into the early masterplanning process is fundamental to the quality of proposals and maximising development viability. This presentation outlines the key considerations and drivers of taking this approach and what the value of an integrated approach can add to projects.
Mike Barker & Jonathan Stewart
Mike Barker
Operational Director - Ecology, RPS
BSc Environmental Sciences, MSc Environmental Management
BarkerM@rpsgroup.com
+44 1480 466335
Jonathan Stewart
Associate Director - Urban Design, RPS
BA (Hons) Town & Country Planning, PGDip Urban Design
jonathan.stewart@rpsgroup.com
+44 1235 432166
Mike is an environmental scientist with more than 20 years of ecological experience. Mike has a proven track record of delivering ecological solutions for complex developments.
Jonathan has over 15 years’ experience working across the public and private sectors as an Urban Designer and Masterplanner. Throughout this time, he has gained a vast amount of experience across a comprehensive range of projects covering a wide range of scales. This includes strategic land promotion, residential and mixed-use developments, commercial, leisure and employment schemes, regeneration, and public realm projects.
Previous webinars
View recordings and explore our top tips from our previous webinars.
Planning for the future: reforms in a masterplanning context
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 7th June 2022, 11am
Since the publication of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commissions (BBBBC) report ‘Living with Beauty’ in early 2020, there have been several responses and changes to planning policy and guidance around design and placemaking, including the release of the Governments ‘Planning for the Future’ white paper. This presentation will provide an overview and timeline of those changes and what it means in a masterplanning context.
Jonathan Stewart
Director of Urban Design, RPS
BA (Hons) Town & Country Planning, PGDip Urban Design
jonathan.stewart@rpsgroup.com
+44 1235 432166
Jonathan has over 16 years’ experience working across the public and private sectors as an Urban Designer and Masterplanner. Throughout this time, he has gained a vast amount of experience across a comprehensive range of projects covering a wide range of scales. This includes strategic land promotion, residential and mixed-use developments, commercial, leisure and employment schemes, regeneration, and public realm projects.
Correctly assessing the risk of UXO on UK sites
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 26th April 2022, 11am
Without accurate, early and pragmatic assessment and management, UXO risk can often cause developers considerable and unnecessary expense and delays to the development programme. This presentation will provide you with an understanding of the risk UXO presents and the correct method to assess the risk and subsequent additional costs and delays to programme.
Ray Gargan
Principal UXO Consultant, RPS
ray.gargan@rpsgroup.com
+44 1291 621 821
Ray has 30 years’ experience within the UXO industry and specialises in the assessment and mitigation design for clients looking to undertake projects in areas that may or may not have been subjected to military occupation or enemy activity.
What lies beneath: Assessing the risk from abandoned mine workings
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 1st March 2022, 11am
Historical coal mine workings can have significant implications for your development. Significant abnormal development costs can relate to mine seam grouting and shaft treatment. Recent updates to core guidance (CIRIA C758) mean that the approach to assessment has to change. This webinar sets out how you should consider the risk from coal mine workings and the implications of the updated guidance for your development.
Jason Tose
Operational Director
CGeol Chartered Geologist, MA Oxford University
toseJ@rpsgroup.com
+44 1454 853 000
Jason has over 20 years' technical and project management experience dealing with abandoned mine workings including coal mine works, metalliferous workings and limestone extraction. Jason acted as technical advisor to English partnerships in relation to the stabilisation of the Combe Down stone Mines.
Building near trees
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 18th January 2022, 11am
On greenfield sites the presence of trees can have significant impacts on foundation design and associated costs. This webinar will provide you with an understanding of the technical guidance, approach to assessment and the implications for foundation depths, allowing you to consider how trees may impact your development.
Glynn Jones
Senior Consultant
BSc (Hons), MSc
glynn.jones@rpsgroup.com
+44 1454 853 000
Glynn has over 9 years experience in the field of engineering geology and geotechnics dealing with development sites. Glynn has a detailed understanding of foundation appraisals for both commercial and residential developments.
Planning for better air quality
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 7th December, 11am
Air pollution has been a regular topic in the media for some time. In December 2020, 9 year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah made history as the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. This presentation provides an understanding of when air quality may be a material consideration and how with good design principles, emissions can be minimised and future occupants can be protected from unacceptable levels of harmful pollutants, enhancing prospects for planning and/or permit applications.
- Key sources of air pollution and key pollutants
- ‘Dash for Diesel’, VW ‘diesel-gate’ and real-world driving emissions tests
- The UK’s plan to bring about compliance with health-based objectives and limit values including the introduction of Clean Air Zones
- Cases where air quality was a major deciding factor, including Wealden
- Emerging issues – the Environment Bill, the new London Plan (PM2.5 and domestic wood burning), COVID-19
- Techniques used to assess air quality impacts – modelling and monitoring
- How the results of air quality assessments are used to inform development design
Fiona Prismall
Technical Director, RPS
BSc (Hons) Pure Mathematics, CEnv (Chartered Environmentalist), MSc Applied Meteorology
PrismallF@rpsgroup.com
+44 1273 546 800
Fiona is a Fellow of the Institute of Air Quality Management and was the committee secretary until November 2020. She has over 17 years’ experience assessing air quality impacts of planning and permit applications using advanced dispersion models and monitoring techniques.
Development constraints management
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 21st September 2021, 11am
Ground conditions, flooding and ecology are three issues that have the potential to significantly increase development costs and programme and in severe circumstances prevent development altogether. This presentation will provide you with an insight into the key risks associated with these issues and how to quantify and mitigate them.
- Overview of development constraints vs development costs
- Discussion of key risks - ground conditions, flood risk and ecology
- How risk can be proactively managed
Philip Thomas
Technical Director, RPS
BSc, CGeol, MSc, SiLC - Specialist in Land Condition
thomasP@rpsgroup.com
+44 1454 853 000
Phil has over 20 years' technical and project management experience in the assessment and remediation of contaminated land. Phil supports clients in the appraisal and redevelopment of challenging Brownfield sites for a range of residential and commercial end uses, regularly providing support to design and build contractors in relation to the management of ground related construction.
Ancient woodlands and aged trees: planning and design risks
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 17th August 2021, 11am
The presence of ancient woodland and aged tress can present significant development constraints on greenfield sites. This presentation will empower you to understand when you have ancient woodland / aged trees and the protection that they are afforded under the planning regime and statute. You will learn how to design around potential planning issues and how the trees and woodland can be integrated into a development scheme in a positive way to add value and meet other planning requirements.
- What are aged, veteran and ancient trees/woodlands?
- Planning and Legislation relating to aged trees and woodlands
- Issues relating to planning and designing around these
- Opportunities for good design and integration
David Cox & Brian Wallis
David Cox
Director - Landscape, RPS
BA (Hons), DipLA CMLI, Tech Cert (Arbor.A), M.Arbor.A
coxD@rpsgroup.com
+44 23 8081 0440
Brian Wallis
Technical Director - Arboriculture, RPS
CEnv (Chartered Environmentalist) ,DipArb
brian.wallis@rpsgroup.com
+44 1908 669 898
David is an Arboriculturist and Chartered Landscape Architect with over 18 years of experience in tree and woodland management, surveying and constraint issues, arboricultural method statements, tree condition assessments and tree related negotiations.
Brian Wallis is a Chartered Forester, Chartered Environmentalist, Fellow of the Arboricultural Association and holder of the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture and also a Member of the Landscape Institute. He has worked in the private and public sectors notably for the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, the largest construction and landscape project in Europe at the time. He has worked on major projects with RPS involving estate land management, Environmental Impact Assessments, historic landscapes and other numerous projects for RPS concerning trees and woodlands.
An introduction to cycling, micro-mobility and assessing sustainable travel
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 13th July 2021, 11am
Sustainable travel is a very hot topic which is rapidly evolving. Keeping up to date with current developments and understanding your options is key to the promotion of your scheme through the planning system. This presentation will provide you with an understanding of the key guidance with respect to cycling and current micro-mobility trials, the options that are available and how these are assessed – enabling you to win support from planning officers through the promotion of innovative optimal solutions for new developments.
- Overview of the updated Cycle Guidance and how this will affect development planning
- Overview of micro-mobility, current trials and its place in sustainable travel
- How the new cycling guidance and micro-mobility will affect development proposals
Ian Dimbylow
Director - Transport, RPS
MEng CEng MICE MCIHT
ian.dimbylow@rpsgroup.com
+44 20 3691 0500
Ian is a Chartered Civil Engineer with 20 years’ experience in transport matters relating to the assessment and delivery of development projects. He has appeared as an expert witness, working on a variety of sites from large urban extensions to inner London regeneration projects.
Is your site water tight?
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 8th June 2021, 11am
Flooding and drainage are highly topical issues in the UK at the moment and are key considerations under the planning regime. Flood risk can often constrain the type and scale of development that will be permitted at a site. This presentation will help you understand how sites interact with water, including how to ensure a development will be safe from flooding, the need to improve water quality in the wider environment and how water is a cornerstone for healthy ecological habitats.
- Identifying potential risk and when a Flood Risk Assessment is needed
- Climate change allowances and their application
- Key flood risk considerations and mitigation options
- Surface water drainage / Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
- Taking a holistic approach to water environment issues (e.g. new London Plan, WFD)
Jonathan Morley
Associate Director - Hydrology, RPS
Jonathan.Morley@rpsgroup.com
+44 1132 206 190
Jonathan is an experienced flood risk assessor specialising in the provision of Flood Risk Assessments and drainage strategies. Jonathan has provided these assessments for a wide range of schemes, from small scale residential to airport extensions.
The future of EIA after Brexit and changes to the planning regime
(Previous webinar) Thursday 20th May 2021, 11am
This presentation will discuss how the industry should respond to the Government’s desire for “a quicker, simpler framework for assessing environmental impacts and enhancement opportunities." We will also review the potential for UK law to diverge from EU law on environment assessment following the end of the Brexit transition period.
- Overview of the likely changes envisaged in the Government’s Planning for the Future White Paper and the Environment Bill
- EIA principles, practice and case law
- Why have Environmental Statements become so 'complex and defensive' rather than 'concise and informative'?
- The role of IEMA and other professional bodies
- How can EIA be made more user friendly
- The role of stakeholder and public participation in EIA
- The future of EIA under two regimes – Town & Country Planning vs. NSIPs
- EIA as a tool for sustainability
David Thomson
Senior Director - EIA, RPS
BSc (Hons) Biology, MSc Environmental Impact Assessment
thomsonD@rpsgroup.com
+44 20 3691 050
David has over 25 years’ experience working in the environmental consultancy market, specialising in EIA management and related roles. He has worked across a wide range of sectors including major urban regeneration schemes, commercial, retail and leisure projects, ports, nuclear, airports and renewable energy. David is an experienced Expert Witness and also advises several local authorities on EIA and related matters.
Reducing heritage risk
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 4th May 2021, 11am
Without early and proactive assessment and management, the historic environment can often catch developers out, presenting significant delays and additional costs to the development programme. This presentation will provide you with an understanding of archaeological risks and the best approach for proactive management to ensure a smooth planning process and minimise the implications for the development.
- Understanding commercial / programme risk
- Planning policy for historic environment
- How risk can be reduced
- Sources of uncertainty
- Case studies
Mick Rawlings
Director - Heritage, RPS
BA Hons - Archaeology and Geography
rawlingsM@rpsgroup.com
+44 1235 821 888
Mick has 30 years' experience within the historic environment sector across a wide range of sectors, acting as expert witness on a number of schemes.
Avoiding and managing waste on development sites
(Previous webinar) Tuesday 30th March 2021, 11am
This presentation will provide you with the knowledge to appropriately manage your construction waste, avoid regulatory requirements and minimise development costs through CL:AIRE COP, exemptions and bespoke permits.
- Definition of what constitutes waste, description of the waste hierarchy and waste classification vs WAC
- How waste regulatory requirements can be avoided through CL:AIRE COP
- Exemptions, standard rules permits and bespoke permits for waste reuse
- Financial implications of any illegally placed waste
Jason Tose
Technical Director, RPS
CGeol Chartered Geologist, MA Oxford University
toseJ@rpsgroup.com
+44 1454 853 000
Jason has over 20 years' technical and project management experience in the development sector and is a Qualified Person under the CL:AIRE DoWCoP scheme.
Related services
Environmental permitting and compliance
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Archaeology and heritage
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Environmental Impact Assessment
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Flood catchment management
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Sustainability and climate resilience
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Transport planning
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Landscape architecture
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Air quality
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