Royal Town Planning Institute

RTPI warns Housing Minister of major threat to planning profession from apprenticeship restrictions The RTPI has warned the Housing Minister of major threat to planning profession from apprenticeship restrictions.

RTPI warns Housing Minister @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social of major threat to planning profession from level 7 apprenticeship restrictions.

Read more about the impact and possible solutions:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...

New director of careers and education to join RTPI The institute has appointed Professor John Sturzaker to lead its careers and education division.

📣BREAKING NEWS: Professor John Sturzaker FRTPI is joining RTPI as the new Director of Careers and Education in October 2025.

Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ju...

Thrilled that our strategic planning research has been shortlisted!!

Congratulations all! A fantastic showcase of planning research. It was a pleasure being on the judging panel for the Patsy Healey Award and reading the entries - and tough to narrow them down into a shortlist

I am pleased to share that I have been selected as a finalist for the RTPI Early Career Research Award this year for a chapter of my thesis. Thank you very much to my co-authors!

Congratulations to the 18 finalists announced today for the 2025 RTPI Awards for Research Excellence.

Are you on the list? Find out https://www.rtpi.org.uk/events-training-and-awards/awards/rtpi-awards-for-research-excellence/

Purple background and white text with National Planning Conference as the main title. Arrow leading off to a bubble with New Towns and Settlements.

What are the opportunities & challenges for the Govt's new town's initiative?

Hear more at a designated session at the National Planning Conference this autumn.

Secure your ticket now:
www.rtpi.org.uk/npc

How English devolution will impact planning On 10 July 2025, the Government introduced its long-awaited Bill on devolution – newly named the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Aisling Byrne has written about how the long-awaited English devolution bill will impact planning:
www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ju...

Milestone devolution bill offers new powers for mayors but resourcing concerns remain, says RTPI

Today's milestone English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill offers new powers for mayors — but resourcing concerns remain.

Read our statement for more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/july/milestone-devolution-bill-offers-new-powers-for-mayors-but-resourcing-concerns-remain/

London skyline outline at the bottom with Orange and blue text overlay: Young Planners' Conference Planning for good health 5-6 September 2025 book now: www.rtpi.org.uk/ypc

London Calling: Learn how the ‘good health’ theme has been put into planning practice around the capital city.

Chloe Selwood previews the Young Planners' Conference:
rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/july/...

Times Radio Breakfast with Chloe Tilley and Peter Cardwell | Times Radio | The Times and the Sunday Times Listen to Times Radio live for the latest breaking news, expert analysis and well-informed discussion covering the biggest stories of the day.

In case you missed it, RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills was on Times Radio last week talking about Keir Starmer’s first year in Office, and the impact his Government has had on housing and planning reform.

Listen from 8:35 am:
https://www.thetimes.com/radio/show/20250704-31820/2025-07-04

📣BREAKING NEWS: @victoriartpi.bsky.social, who has led the RTPI for nearly eight years, is to step down from her post as CEO.

She will be moving on to take up the role of CEO at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ju...

Olivia Gibson: Spending, strategy and spatial planning June has been a busy month for government policy announcements, with the Chancellor’s spending review, the release of the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy

What do the Government's new Infrastructure and industrial strategies mean for planning?

Learn from our Policy and Data Analyst Olivia Gibson 👇

www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ju...

#PlanningReform #SpatialPlanning #InfrastructureStrategy

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill had its 2nd reading in the House of Lords last night.
"The real reason why planning has been in difficulty is that there have not been enough staff to do the work necessary, and too few chief planning officers with the necessary clout to drive progress & outcomes."

A comprehensive workforce and skills strategy needed to support the Government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy The Government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy outlines a new approach aimed at ensuring planning and delivery is joined up.

The Govt’s 10 year Infrastructure Strategy outlines a new joined-up approach. However, the RTPI warns that further support is needed.
Read more:
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/june/a-comprehensive-workforce-and-skills-strategy-needed-to-support-the-government-s-10-year-infrastructure-strategy/

"For planners, this means advocating for design literacy, leading the way in asking for more and engaging communities early in the process."

Read Katie's reflections on the Suffolk Design Festival: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/june/katie-fowler-reflecting-on-the-suffolk-design-festival/

We re-affirmed our commitment to advancing diversity, equity & inclusion in the built environment by signing a new 5 yr MoU & welcoming additional signatories.
Read more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/june/built-environment-professional-bodies-deepen-commitment-to-edi-with-two-new-signatories/

National Planning Conference - secure your ticket today. In a white box with purple text - 9 October 2025 at Hilton Deansgate, Manchester The go-to event to engage with industry leaders and changemakers

The National Planning Conference brings together voices from across the planning & development landscape such as planners, architects, developers & LPAs.

Hear from sector leaders, policy makers and innovators as they dive into critical themes that will define the coming years:
www.rtpi.org.uk/npc

Senior Public Affairs Officer Lazaros Tsenekidis reflects on RTPI's presence at #UKREiiF this year👇
rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ma...

"Planning is not just a backdrop to growth and investment – it's the engine driving it."

"We can only support the proposed delegation reforms if they are accompanied by the establishment of a Chief Planning Officer in every planning authority."
www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-r...

Planning reforms must be matched by local leadership The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has acknowledged the government’s efforts to boost housing supply through new planning reforms

RTPI acknowledges the government’s efforts to boost housing supply but cautions that local leadership and oversight must not be left behind.
Read the full statement: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

Route into planning profession hit by Government restriction The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has voiced deep concern following the Government’s decision to restrict funding for Level 7 (L7) Chartered Town Planner

RTPI has voiced deep concern following the Government’s decision to restrict funding for L7 Chartered Town Planner apprenticeships to those aged 16-21.

The Institute warns that the decision will put the future pipeline of planners at serious risk.

Read more:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

A diverse group of people are standing and chatting in a bright room with wooden chairs. One man in a plaid jacket holds a red cup, while another in a green hoodie laughs. A woman with glasses holds a tablet, engaging with a man in a geometric sweater. A woman and a man sit and work at a table nearby.

We have launched an open invitation to tender for a major public awareness campaign aimed at reshaping public perceptions of the planning profession and the planning system.

Read more:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

Áine McBeth explains how her community-focused coffee kiosk in Belfast was born out of planning principles and is now a creative and social hub:

https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/may/%C3%A1ine-mcbeth-planning-pour-overs-and-passion/

📷 credit: Maritime Belfast Trust

The MIMBY Majority: How do we engage the public to unlock housebuilding? Join Demos as we launch an exciting new report 'The MIMBY Majority'.

To livestream the launch event from 6pm on 15 May, register here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mimby-...

#CommunityEngagement #PublicConsultation #Housebuilding #EconomicGrowth #NIMBY #YIMBY

The report recommends a new approach to public participation to ensure it is done at an early stage and includes a representative group of residents to give voice to this “Mimby majority” and power forward the housebuilding agenda.

The government should instigate a new wave of public participation in the planning process to unlock its housebuilding programme by giving the “Mimby Majority” a voice, according to new research from RTPI and @demos-uk.bsky.social

Read the report:
demos.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Dr Victoria Hills: Shaping the future of planning at UKREiiF Planning is set to take centre stage at the upcoming UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) – and rightly so.

From the shop floor to private discussions, we’re keen to ensure planning is a part of every conversation at this year's #UKREiiF and ensure our members’ voices are front and centre.

Read more:
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/may/dr-victoria-hills-shaping-the-future-of-planning-at-ukreiif-2025/

The 2025 RTPI Planning Enforcement Conference One of the key outputs of the RTPI’s practice-focused networks are their annual conferences.

The 2025 RTPI Planning Enforcement Conference:
Responding to resourcing challenges, ‘closing the loop’ and recruiting the best.

Claire Stafford reports from this year's event:
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/may/the-2025-rtpi-planning-enforcement-conference/

#Enforcement #NAPE

Why do women cycle less than men in the UK?

@vanfh.bsky.social investigated whether participatory budgeting can contribute to fairer active travel.

Read more :
www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-r...

📷 Vanessa Harrison