Planning Conference 2026 Programme

The planning landscape in Scotland is undergoing major changes. As the UK Government drives forward its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and the development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), expectations and ambitions for the pace, scale and certainty of planning decisions are now centre stage. The Planning and Infrastructure Act has introduced new powers to streamline consenting processes, building on work initiated by the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal, and the grid build-out is changing planning priorities.

These changes are not just tweaks. The Scottish planning system is being fundamentally re-engineered to manage the volume and complexity of renewable energy generation and transmission projects needed to hit 2030 targets and beyond.

In this session, you’ll hear from leading government and industry experts on what’s changing and what it means for your projects.

You’ll learn:

• How the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition is influencing Scotland’s planning system
• What reforms are designed to accelerate planning decisions – and where challenges remain
• How the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) programme is changing planning in Scotland
• How to successfully navigate this evolving system and keep your projects moving forward

Speakers
Melanie MacRae, Deputy Director Clean Power 2030 Unit, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Scott Ferrie, Chief Reporter, Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), The Scottish Government
Marcus Trinick KC
Greg Clarke, Head of Corporate Affairs, SSEN Transmission 

Sponsored by SLR

Since the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal was signed, the conversation around planning reform has moved on. The challenge is no longer about shaving months off determination timelines, it’s about creating a common-sense planning system that works efficiently, keeping all stakeholders focused on delivering Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions for 2030 and beyond.

Efficiency now means more than speed. It means clarity of process, collaboration and smarter systems that keep projects moving without unnecessary friction.

In this session, you’ll hear from experts on how planning reforms are reshaping not just timelines, but the entire planning experience.

You’ll learn:

• How determination timelines are evolving – and the biggest challenges facing renewable energy projects today.
• What the proposed statutory pre-application process for Section 36 applications means for your projects.
• How these changes will impact your ability to deliver projects on time and on budget.

Speakers
James Gibson, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland
Michaella Drummond, Senior Planning and Aviation Analyst, ScottishPower Renewables

Scotland’s planning system is at a pivotal moment. What began with the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal has grown into a broader conversation about removing the barriers that hold back not only onshore wind but also a wide range of renewable energy and transmission projects. As Scotland pushes towards its Clean Power 2030 ambitions, the urgency to update these policies to allow for delivery has never been greater.

In this session, you’ll hear from experts on how policy is changing to balance renewable energy development, cultural heritage and nature.

You’ll learn:

• How the new biodiversity metric is reshaping expectations for nature restoration within planning.
• Where opportunities lie to modernise cultural heritage policy in line with NPF4.
• What these policy changes mean for your upcoming and future projects.

Speakers
Neil Collar, Partner, Brodies
Darren Hemsley, Head of Supporting Good Development, NatureScot
Laura Garcia, Senior Director for Heritage, Pegasus Group

Sponsored by Fred. Olsen Renewables

Renewable energy and grid infrastructure are central to delivering the clean, secure and affordable energy that will power Scotland’s future prosperity. Yet these projects sit at the crossroads of national priorities and local concerns.

Local voices matter. Community engagement is essential to a fair, transparent and democratic planning system. But effective decision making must carefully reflect what is in the national interest, whilst ensuring local communities have their voice heard.

In this session, we’ll explore how Scotland can strike the right balance: empowering communities and strengthening trust in the planning process – while ensuring that essential renewable energy projects can move forward in a world of misinformation.

You’ll learn:

• How the landscape of local development plans is shaping up across Scotland
• How the Scottish Government’s Battery Storage Policy Statement will help communities support Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in planning
• How developers can have constructive conversations about delivering socio-economic benefits on the ground
• How the Scottish Government is supporting local planning authorities

Chair
Euan Hutchison, Development Director (UK), Fred. Olsen Renewables 

Speakers
Carolyn Wilson, Onshore Head of Consents & Environment UK & Ireland, SSE Renewables
Barry Stalker, Head of the National Planning Hub, Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate, Scottish Government