BOOK NOW | Lancashire Development Update
Opportunities for development, regeneration, and growth abound across the county’s urban centres. Come and learn who is doing what in Blackpool, Lancaster, Preston, and beyond – and find out how you can get involved.
Armed with a fresh devolution deal, the future looks bright for Lancashire’s towns and cities. This event will shine a light on how the county plans to make the most of its new-found freedoms to improve the lives of its residents and breathe new life into forgotten places.
Our expert speakers, including Lancashire County Council Leader Phillippa Williamson, will also discuss where the opportunities for development lie in the region, what the priorities are for local authorities, and how the built environment can help deliver on those ambitions.
Lancashire Development Update will take place starting at 8am on 8 February at the Invincibles Pavilion at Deepdale Stadium in Preston.
The event is sponsored by Blackpool Council, Muse, LUC, and Maple Grove Developments.
Expect a series of dynamic panel discussions and presentations, as well as the networking opportunities we know are important for your business. In addition to the pre-panel breakfast, you can also expect breaks in between sessions and a post-panel lunch.
What you’ll take away from the conference
- Intel on the state of the resi, commercial, and industrial markets in Lancashire
- A session dedicated to discussing the future of a more devolved Lancashire with the council leaders who made it happen
- Details on where opportunities lie in the area
- An overview of how Lancashire is changing and the major projects in the pipeline
- New contacts for your business
Confirmed speakers
Cllr Phillippa Williamson is the leader of Lancashire County Council and as well as providing an update on development across the borough, she will join the leaders of Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council for an in-depth discussion about the future of the county following the devolution deal.
Nicola Rigby is a principal at Avison Young Working on various schemes across Lancashire, including in Blackpool and Accrington, Rigby is well-placed to comment on the relationship between the public and private sector when it comes to regeneration priorities. Last year, Avison Young was appointed by the Blackpool Council and Homes England to lead the preparation of a plan that will see living standards in in the town, which has some of the poorest neighbourhoods in the country, improved.
James Scott is a director at Maple Grove Developments – Maple Grove is delivering large-scale commercial schemes in Preston, Blackburn, South Ribble, and Burnley. Scott will provide an update on these projects and talk about how developers are tackling the biggest challenges of the day from sourcing funding to plugging gaps in the workforce.
Kate McClean is the senior strategic land and planning manager at Taylor Wimpey – As an experienced planning expert, McClean will be able to discuss what is being done to tackle one of the biggest issues facing the development industry in 2024 – the state of the planning system. She will also provide up-to-date market insight on the factors impacting housing delivery and discuss what the recent changes to the NPPF mean for Lancashire.
Cllr Phil Riley is the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and as well as providing an update on development in his area, he will join the leaders of Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council for an in-depth discussion about the future of the county following the devolution deal.
Si Bellamy is the chief activation officer at Eden Project – Eden Project Morecambe is one of the most exciting projects in the UK, let alone Lancashire. Bellamy will provide an update on the project, billed as a gamechanger for the Morecambe, and go into detail about the catalytic impact the scheme could have on the seaside resort.
Mark Kitts is the managing director of Tawd Valley Developments – West Lancashire Council’s development arm has recently branched out from housing delivery to commercial, submitting plans for a 100,000 sq ft industrial scheme in Skelmersdale. Kitts will tell us about the developments coming down the track in West Lancs, as well and discuss the challenges and opportunities for developers that are wholly owned by cash-strapped local authorities.
Jonathan Noad is the chief officer of sustainable growth at Lancaster City Council The historic city of Lancaster is not lacking when it comes to development proposals. The largest pipeline scheme in the city is the redevelopment of its Canal Quarter. Will 2024 be the year this scheme takes flight? Noad will answer that question and more.
Cllr Lynn Williams is the leader of Blackpool Council and as well as providing an update on development across ther borough, she will join the leaders of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council for an in-depth discussion about the future of Lancashire following the devolution deal.
Adrian Phillips is the chief executive of Preston City Council – Preston is experiencing a boom in high-density residential development. Phillips will explain how this fits into the wider strategy for the city, as well as giving an update on the huge regeneration opportunity around the train station.
