Heads of Planning Scotland Conference 2026

The conference theme this year is The Future of Planning. It will be held at The University of the West of Scotland’s Ayr Campus, one of the UK’s most modern, environmentally friendly, and sustainable higher education learning facilities.

Highlights of this year’s conference include:

• A panel discussion on leadership in planning with heads of planning from across the UK.
• Sessions on housing delivery with insights from ALACHO, The Land Development Agency in Dublin, and Scottish Futures Trust.
• Workshops focusing on net zero, development viability, child poverty and planning, and more.
• A closing speech focusing on the future of planning with both long-time practitioners and emerging professionals.
• Opportunities to network with other planners and built environment practitioners.

This conference is open to all who have an interest in the built environment in Scotland.

HOPS members can also book onto the AGM on the 5th of June from this page.

Info: Hear from a panel of heads of planning across the UK.

Info: This session will focus on different approaches to housing delivery and development agreements, followed by an audience Q&A.

Info: Lunch will be served. There will also be an opportunity to visit the stalls of our sponsors.

Info: A series of workshops on pressing planning matters. The time will be split into two workshops, and delegates will be able to choose two topics from the following list:
Child Poverty and Planning, Net Zero and Delivery on Climate Change, Place Informed Planning
Development Viability, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies, and Development Impact Modelling.

Info: The closing speech will focus on the future of planning, with views from long-time practitioners and emerging professionals. This will be followed by closing remarks from Chris Cox and Paul Macari, the outgoing and incoming chairs of Heads of Planning Scotland.

Info: We will close the day with a drinks reception that all delegates are welcome to attend.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ayr Campus, University of the West of Scotland (UWS), University Avenue, Ayr, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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