Rise and Fall - The Tensions Between Planning, Land Value and Housing Delivery

Ian Barnett - Chair

Group Land and Development Director, LRG

Ian joined the business in 2012 and is now the Group Land and Development Director. After graduating from UCL with a Master’s degree in International Town Planning, Ian began his career with Vail Williams in Guildford, before joining Broadway Malyan where he worked on a number of major urban extension projects in the UK as well as projects in Canada. As a ‘dual-qualified’ Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) and a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), Ian has built a reputation for identifying development sites and providing landowners with honest, informed, professional advice, informed by his understanding of the planning system, commercial awareness and extensive network of contacts in the development industry.

Karen Charles

Executive Director, Boyer

Karen is an Executive Director and Head of Boyer’s Wokingham office. Karen joined Boyer in 2016, prior to which she was the Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s (formerly DTZ) London Planning Team. Karen has advised on a wide range of projects across many different sectors but more recently has predominantly advised on residential development in the Thames Valley and surrounding area. Karen has experience managing a wide range of complex projects including development within the Green Belt, brownfield regeneration, and heritage projects. Karen also advises on site promotion through the local plan process, has given evidence at Local Plan examinations, and has advised on litigation and appeal work.

Paul Brocklehurst

Chairman, Land Planning & Development Federation

Paul has chaired the LPDF since its founding in 2018. Formerly CEO of Catesby Estates, he now focuses on the Federation’s policy influence while remaining active in planning. Passionate about boosting housing delivery and affordability, he advocates for addressing generational unfairness in the UK housing market.

Grant Leggett

Executive Director, Boyer

Grant is an Executive Director with responsibilities for the leadership and management of the whole of Boyer, which he joined in 2011. In that time he has overseen the growth of the office from its original two foundation staff to a team of over 14. He also brings a wealth of experience in developments of all scales, from bespoke and small-scale high-value developments to medium- and large-scale regeneration projects throughout London. Grant has commanding experience in residential development, student housing, education and community projects, and commercial developments. Grant is committed to the success of his clients and his team. He is passionate about creating a positive can-do working environment and attitude at Boyer London.

Jan Bessell FRTPI

President, Royal Town Planning Institute

Jan is RTPI President, a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute (FRTPI). Jan chairs the Global Planners Network and has been recognised as one of ‘the most influential women in UK planning’. She is immediate past Board Chair of the National Infrastructure Planning Association and is a member of the Building with Nature Standards Board. Jan is also a Strategic Planning Adviser at Pinsent Masons law firm and has significant experience of examining (former Examining Inspector at the Planning Inspectorate) and advising on a wide range of nationally significant infrastructure and major development projects across the full range of organisations and sectors including new settlements and urban regenerative extensions, energy, water and waste water, transport, business and commercial, ports and airports dealing with a wide range of issues from development consent orders, strategic plans, EIA, biodiversity, design, Water Framework Regulations, Habitats Regulations Assessment, community engagement and compulsory purchase.

Dawn Wylie

Group Land Director, Taylor Wimpey

Dawn leads Taylor Wimpey’s land acquisition strategy, supporting the Company’s land teams across the UK to deliver on our excellent land investments and strategic pipeline projects. She works closely with CEO Jennie Daly, Divisional Chairs, Managing Directors and local Land & Planning teams. She is a regular on industry panels and represents the Company in discussions with Government. She is passionate about supporting young people to find careers in housebuilding, and a strong advocate for apprenticeships and training programmes, having been supported through a Management Trainee scheme herself. Over her 20-year career in residential development, she has overseen the acquisition of smaller and large-scale redevelopment schemes, both greenfield and brownfield, and has negotiated significant forward fund deals in recent years.

Lord Charlie Banner KC

Keating Chambers

Ranked as Great Britain’s No 1 planning silk in Planning Magazine’s Legal Survey 2025 and in Band 1 of planning silks in Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025. Listed as a leading silk in 8 practice areas in C&P and Legal 500. The Times' Lawyer of the Week, April 2024. Highly Commended in the “Barrister of the Year” category at the Lawyer Awards 2025. Recipient of multiple legal industry awards. 250+ reported cases - 19 in the UK Supreme Court & 13 in the EU Courts.