PNPR has been doing PR for Boyer since 2021 and as the planning consultancy celebrates its 40th birthday, I’ve been looking back on a fascinating four years.
We’ve covered the big themes shaping planning and development – from Green Belt and new towns to housing delivery, environmental policy, design, devolution and funding. And alongside that, we’ve charted the appointment (and departure) of four prime ministers, seven housing ministers, and more iterations of the NPPF than it’s worth counting.
Here are some of the key topics we’ve addressed:
Housing delivery
At the heart of planning lies the question of how to deliver more homes. We’ve looked at whether local authority trading companies could help achieve 1970s-level output, whether the government’s pledge of 1.5 million homes this Parliament is realistic, and how mechanisms such as Section 106 obligations, compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) and measures against landbanking might accelerate – or delay – housing delivery.
Environmental policy
Development now sits at the intersection of economy and ecology. Covering nutrient neutrality, water scarcity, BNG and energy efficiency, we’ve analysed the opportunities and challenges of new policies.
Planning reform and process
Reform is a constant in the planning world, yet uncertainty persists. We’ve considered the implications of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the growing role of digital tools such as AI, and the changes to local plan-making. One of the biggest questions is whether the system is becoming more top-down or bottom-up and what that means for delivery.
Design and placemaking
Design has risen steadily up the political agenda. From Michael Gove’s proposed ‘beauty calculator’ to the National Model Design Code, we’ve explored how design standards can be applied consistently. We’ve also reflected on placemaking trends, such as a preference for natural over landscaped spaces, the rise of community hubs and “third spaces”, and the link between design and wellness.
Strategic land and Green Belt
Land remains the most contested issue in planning. We’ve argued for a reasoned approach to Green Belt release, questioned whether the new “Grey Belt” has real policy weight, and explored ideas such as brownfield passports. At the same time, the debate about new towns has re-emerged, prompting reflection on whether they are a vision for the future or a relic of the past.
Governance and funding
Finally, planning is as much about governance as it is about design and delivery. Local authority resources remain stretched, while new funding mechanisms such as the Infrastructure Levy and land value capture are reshaping the economics of development. Devolution and legislation such as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will also influence where power sits in decision-making.
Looking ahead
Across all these themes, one constant emerges: planning is never static. The interplay between national ambition, local delivery and market realities ensures that debate remains lively – and necessary. Working with Boyer, we will continue to engage with these issues, contributing to the discussion on how planning can support sustainable, well-designed communities and unlock the homes and infrastructure the country so urgently needs.
Always changing and always interesting, Boyer is a great company to work with – and a pleasure to celebrate 40 years of thought leadership, growth and success.