S4 Ep3: Carly Vince - Data Centres and Planning for the Future
In this episode, we explore how the planning system approaches data centres, what their designation as Critical National Infrastructure means, and the emerging proposals for AI Growth Zones.
Other key topics we discuss include:
- The Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to remove planning barriers for data centres.
- The Government’s recent classification of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure.
- The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its impact on data centres.
- The AI Opportunities Action Plan and what it means for future development.
- The challenges of energy consumption, the role of nuclear power, and how data centres benefit local communities.
You can listen to it here!
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S4 Ep2: Cllr Rezina Chowdhury: Lambeth's Race to Net Zero
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast. Account Director Siddo Dwyer sat down with Lambeth’s Cllr Rezina Chowdhury – Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air).
The episode focused on current challenges and policies that she has overseen not just in Lambeth but ones that have had a London wide effect. This included:
How Cllr Chowdhury’s upbringing and decade of experience in local government have shaped her policy outlook
Her message to developers about helping shape the borough of Lambeth and it being open to sustainable development
Lambeth’s race to achieve Net Zero by 2030
Its groundbreaking Climate Action Plan
The borough’s transformative approach to the Kerbside
Innovative policies addressing air quality and active travel
The role of retrofitting in achieving Net-Zero goals
We do hope you enjoy this insightful conversation, you can listen to the episode here.
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S4 Ep1: Simon Ricketts - Unpacking Planning Changes in 2025
We are delighted to share with you the first episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast for 2025. Our Managing Director Nick Dines sat down with the country’s highest rated planning solicitor – Simon Ricketts, Partner at Town Legal.
In this latest episode of the Better Places podcast Nick and Simon sought to summarise the key planning and local government changes announced by the Government in the run-up to Christmas, discussing:
The 12-week requirement for local authorities to commit to a new timetable for Local Plans
What the presumption in favour of sustainable development must have real teeth means for councils without a Plan in place
The Five-Year Housing Land Supply implications
Clarity on the ‘Grey Belt’ definition
The impact of the London Plan being used as a model for Mayoral Strategic Authorities in developing Spatial Development Strategies
Whether councils can manage the workload given all the announced changes
For more information about Concilio, visit our website here - https://conciliocomms.com
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S3 Ep18: Cllr Kieron Williams - Leader of the London Borough of Southwark
On the latest edition of the Concilio Better Places Podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sat down with the Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Kieron Williams.
The interview focussed on the Southwark Council’s recently published Securing the Future of Council Housing report. Over 100 councils formed an unprecedented coalition to identify five practical solutions for a fairer funding deal and reforms to kick-start the construction of new homes.
This surrounds an ongoing debate about plans to retrofit council properties and measures to bring their stock up to decent standard. We also discuss his journey as Leader of the Council, tackling the housing crisis, and the planning policies shaping Southwark today.
To hear this compelling discussion with Cllr Williams you can listen here!
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S3 Ep17: Meet the Experts: Building Britain and Navigating Planning Policy
On the latest edition of Better Places, we sat down with leading industry professionals across the property and planning sectors. We were delighted to interview Andy Cox - Director at Trigon development managers, Cat Fraser – Director at Turley planners, and Arron Taggart – Head of UK Investment at Cheyne Capital on their perspective as professionals in the field.
Hosted by our very own Siddo Dwyer, this was a fascinating discussion that sparked a lively debate on how our panel have shaped award-winning places and buildings across London, examining scheme viability, the need for community engagement and dynamics dominating the real estate investment market. The panel also dived into what they wanted to see from the new Labour government’s long-awaited planning policy changes in the United Kingdom.
We hope you find it as insightful as we have!
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