Labour Party Conference: Reflections for the built environment

One hundred days into Andy Burnham’s premiership, what has changed for Britain and the built environment? Camargue’s Ashley Rudge and Thomas Parfitt examine the Budget, affordable housing and data centre policy, assess the implications for industry, and look ahead to the political battles to come, including a possible snap election

The Planning and Infrastructure Act (2025) is the biggest change to the DCO regime since its inception in the Planning Act (2008). In this latest episode of the Camargue podcast, Grace Hartman is joined by Greg Phillimore and Simon Gill to unpack what the newly-released consultation guidance means in practice, both for our clients and the industry as a whole. Talking shortly after the guidance was released, Grace, Greg and Simon provide a clear, practical view of how the Planning and Infrastructure Act creates new opportunities for consultation, as well as reflecting on existing good practice on how consultation is delivered now, the impact of this guidance on feedback and our take on where this could create risk for projects. You can watch the webinar discussed in the podcast here. You can read the blog discussed in the podcast here. For more information on Camargue’s approach to digital engagement, from AI and interactive avatars to improving accessibility and mapping tools, click here.

Wales has entered a new political era.  In this episode of the Camargue podcast, Bethan Proctor is joined by Jess Blair, Director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru, to unpack one of the most significant periods of political change in Wales since devolution. Following the first Senedd election under Wales' new electoral system, Bethan and Jess explore what has changed, how the new voting system has reshaped campaigning and representation, and what the election results tell us about the political direction of Wales.  They also discuss what a minority Welsh Government means for policy-making, and whether key priorities such as housing, infrastructure and renewable energy can be delivered with political certainty. 

The results from local elections are in, with a patchwork quilt of competing colours across England, Scotland and Wales.  Reform made major gains at Labour’s expense in former heartlands and the Conservatives also endured a bruising set of losses, while large tracts of London fell to no overall control (NOC) thanks to a Green surge across the capital.  In Scotland and Wales, the balance of power now sits with nationalist parties, in Plaid Cymru’s case for the first time. In this episode, colleagues from across Camargue unpack some of the standout races, the issues that mattered on the ground, and what they reveal about the country’s increasingly fragmented political landscape. 

Women in Planning is a network campaigning for gender equality in the planning sector. It has a membership of over 4,000 individuals, with 16 branches across the UK establishing a local community for women in the sector to connect, learn and relate.  In this episode we chat to Coco Mandra and Lorraine Neve from the Women in Planning South West branch about the workings of the organisation, what it means to be a part of the community and how we can extend principles of equality and inclusivity in the workplace through allyship. We also touch on one of the most significant developments in the planning industry as of late, the Planning & Infrastructure Act 2025.  The Act re-envisions how we approach the consenting and delivery of infrastructure, with Coco and Lorraine providing their own expert insights as senior partners. 

In this episode, Hannah Robinson from James Ford Design talks with Liam Gullis to explore the expanding opportunities for interactive online experiences, and what they mean for the built environment.As digital tools become central to how infrastructure projects communicate, the challenge is no longer adopting new tech, but understanding how it can genuinely improve community engagement.With recent examples, they discuss how features including layered GIS mapping, audiovisual explainers and dynamic information hubs help people navigate complex proposals—while considering how these tools complementthe traditional methods still essential for meaningful consultation.

Economic growth, and how to achieve it, has become a fixation of politicians from across the political spectrum.However the role that heritage can play in supporting growth and placemaking has often been overlooked.In this episode we talk to Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, cabinet member for planning and placemaking at Swindon Borough Council, and discuss how the conservation of heritage assets can bring cascading benefits to community, business, and place.Using Swindon as a case study, we explore how conservation has paved the way for wider brownfield regeneration and leveraged new investment in under-resourced communities and places.

As the Labour party conference closes for another year, what do those in the built environment need to know? Did the substance live up to the slogans, or was ‘build baby build’ all bluster? Has net zero been forgotten? And what was the mood music like in the secure zone?In conversation with Catherine Grindley, we talk to Ashley Rudge, associate director, and Thomas Parfitt, account director, as they dissect the discussion among ministers, members and delegates in Liverpool.

As Keir Starmer's government marks a year in office having entered Downing Street with a landmark majority and a 'Plan for Change', getting the economy firing has proved harder than he hoped. But we now have an Industrial Strategy, an Infrastructure Strategy, some Sector Plans and a potential framework to shift the needle on productivity, investment, confidence and growth.In this episode we talk to Nigel Tipple, chief executive of Enterprise Oxfordshire and Chris Smith, founder of think tank The Centre for the New Midlands for their perspectives on that question: where's the growth going to come from? In conversation with Ben Copithorne, they discuss everything from views on foreign direct investment and skills to devolution, disruption and the biggest opportunities they see in their regions to accelerate business opportunity.

Life is changing. Our towns, cities and rural spaces are evolving, and technologies such as electric vehicles and cleaner heating are becoming a more visible – and more necessary - part of our day-to-day lives. But is it right to assume that many people will be opposed to change, or is the picture more nuanced?  In this episode, Max Hammond is joined by Dr Chris Jones to discuss what the field of environmental psychology can tell us about attitudes towards development and new technologies. Can a deeper understanding of the things that both worry and motivate us support effective communication over new developments?