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 will introduce new powers to streamline consenting processes, building on work initiated by the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal, as we guide how Local Planning Authorities will engage with the planning system in future.

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 to successfully navigate this evolving system and keep your projects moving forward

The future of Scotland’s planning system is being reshaped by the urgent need to expand and reinforce the grid at an unprecedented pace. The Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) programme projects must be consented in 2026 if the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan is to be delivered.

With the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) and Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) also on the horizon, the rules are changing. For the first time,  the Scottish and UK governments have agreed that the SSEP will become a material consideration in planning decisions – overturning the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) position that grid connections sit outside the planning process.

These early conversations could redefine how projects are assessed, prioritised and approved. For developers, understanding how changes will influence future consents is critical to project success.

In this session, we’ll explore how these plans are influencing planning policy – and what this means for projects currently in development.

You’ll learn:

• How the SSEP could influence planning decisions and consent strategies
• How the RESP may shape planning processes, infrastructure priorities and local outcomes
• How Local Authorities could integrate spatial energy planning into development plans and decision making

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
• How changes to Public Local Inquiries could accelerate decisions
• 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

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