RICS in West Midlands: Could Worcestershire Parkway Unlock Housing Growth?

Overview

Join us in Worcester for this event in collaboration with ICAEW, Worcester Law Society and RTPI.

This event brings together experts from across disciplines to explore the real challenges and opportunities associated with town scale development. Using Worcestershire Parkway as a live example, the discussion will address critical issues including infrastructure led growth and funding, coordinating land assembly across multiple ownerships, and achieving long term planning certainty. It will also consider viability, phasing, and how developments are absorbed by the market over time.

Worcestershire Parkway stands at a pivotal moment within the national growth agenda. With validated outline planning applications already in place and strong public sector involvement, the site presents a rare opportunity to examine how large scale development can be delivered in practice.

Designed for members of ICAEW, Worcester Law Society, RICS and RTPI, the session will move beyond abstract policy to offer practical insight relevant to day to day professional work. 

Schedule

• 08:30 – Arrival for teas, coffees and breakfast sandwiches
• 09:00 – Welcome and Introduction
• 09:25 - Panel discussion
• 10:00 - Close

Key topics

• A practical exploration of how national New Towns policy translates into real delivery on the ground, using Worcestershire Parkway as a live case study.
• Professional insight into the financial, legal, planning and delivery challenges behind large scale, town level development.
• Engaging discussion that brings together multiple professions to share perspectives and collaborate, rather than working in isolation.
• A high quality, impartial forum led by partner institutes to debate one of the region’s most significant strategic opportunities.

Panelists

• Chair: Robert Elliot, Director of Business Engagement and Policy, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
• Keynote speaker: Ian MacLeod, Director of Planning and Infrastructure, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils
• Gary Woodman, CEO, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership
• Emily Barker, Head of Planning and Transport Planning, Worcestershire County Council
• Chris Walklett, Office Lead, Bishop Fleming in Worcester
• Rebecca Warren, Strategic Development Consultant, Pinsent Masons