The RTPI described the Government’s new towns announcement as one of the most ambitious development initiatives in more than 50 years – and one that must be built on lessons from the past if it is to succeed. Read the RTPI's response: www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the...

RTPI has signed a joint letter with more than 30 organisations calling for £6.8m in urgent funding to support Planning Schools to continue to recruit and train apprentice planners. Read the joint letter: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/letter-to-matthew-pennycook-mp-minister-for-housing-and-planning/

This blog explores a landmark decision last autumn in which Gloucestershire County Council approved the county's largest-ever mineral development project. Read the blog: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the-rtpi/the-pivotal-role-of-planning-in-gloucestershires-largest-mineral-development/

🏘️🗺️🏙️The @rtpiplanners.bsky.social has confirmed the re-accreditation of our MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration. 💬RTPI President @helenfadipe.bsky.social said, "Cambridge's MPhil ... demonstrates the mix of academic rigour and real-world relevance we look for in RTPI-accredited programmes."

We are delighted to re-accredit the University of Cambridge’s MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration. It means graduates of the spatial planning programme will be eligible to begin the Licentiate Assessment of Professional Competence, a key step toward becoming a Chartered Town Planner.

The 2025 round of RTPI Research Grants is open for applications. The programme funds new, innovative, high quality, and impactful planning research. Learn more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-research/research-and-practice/rtpi-research-grants/practitioner-research-fund-grant-applications/

The RTPI has launched Empower 2030, its strategic plan for 2025–2030, setting a route to strengthen the planning profession, enhance member value, and grow its membership. Read more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/about-the-rtpi/who-we-are/our-strategic-priorities/empower-2030-the-rtpi-strategic-plan/

A big congratulations to the editors of 'The Future for Planners' on winning the Royal Town Planning Institute Patsy Healey award! 🌟🎉 @rtpiplanners.bsky.social 🔶Find out more about the award: buff.ly/E981TeS 🔶Find the book: buff.ly/dFCv38J

Congratulations to the 5 winning entries for the 2025 RTPI Awards for Research Excellence. 🙌 Discover the winners 👇 https://www.rtpi.org.uk/events-training-and-awards/awards/rtpi-awards-for-research-excellence/

Introducing the new RTPI brand. Empowering planners. Connecting people. Championing the planning profession. Explore the thinking behind the brand – https://www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the-rtpi/our-fresh-new-brand-is-here/

The RTPI has warned that the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which passed its Second Reading on 2 September, could leave rural communities behind. Read more https://www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the-rtpi/rural-areas-risk-being-left-behind-in-drive-for-devolution/

Great to see Issue 201 of the #ScottishPlanner out this week - it’s a wee festival of planning celebrating this year’s winners in the Awards for Planning Excellence plus all the usual contents, including the latest episode of my Podlicious recommendations… www.rtpi.org.uk/media/21122/...

A survey from the RTPI and YouGov reveals that the UK public has serious doubts about whether the next generation of new towns will meet future needs. These findings echo recommendations in RTPI’s Futureproof New Towns interim report: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...

RTPI warns Housing Minister @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social of major threat to planning profession from level 7 apprenticeship restrictions. Read more about the impact and possible solutions: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...

📣BREAKING NEWS: Professor John Sturzaker FRTPI is joining RTPI as the new Director of Careers and Education in October 2025. Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ju...

Thrilled that our strategic planning research has been shortlisted!!

Congratulations all! A fantastic showcase of planning research. It was a pleasure being on the judging panel for the Patsy Healey Award and reading the entries - and tough to narrow them down into a shortlist

I am pleased to share that I have been selected as a finalist for the RTPI Early Career Research Award this year for a chapter of my thesis. Thank you very much to my co-authors!

Congratulations to the 18 finalists announced today for the 2025 RTPI Awards for Research Excellence. Are you on the list? Find out https://www.rtpi.org.uk/events-training-and-awards/awards/rtpi-awards-for-research-excellence/

What are the opportunities & challenges for the Govt's new town's initiative? Hear more at a designated session at the National Planning Conference this autumn. Secure your ticket now: www.rtpi.org.uk/npc

Aisling Byrne has written about how the long-awaited English devolution bill will impact planning: www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ju...

Today's milestone English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill offers new powers for mayors — but resourcing concerns remain. Read our statement for more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/july/milestone-devolution-bill-offers-new-powers-for-mayors-but-resourcing-concerns-remain/

London Calling: Learn how the ‘good health’ theme has been put into planning practice around the capital city. Chloe Selwood previews the Young Planners' Conference: rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/july/...

In case you missed it, RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills was on Times Radio last week talking about Keir Starmer’s first year in Office, and the impact his Government has had on housing and planning reform. Listen from 8:35 am: https://www.thetimes.com/radio/show/20250704-31820/2025-07-04

📣BREAKING NEWS: @victoriartpi.bsky.social, who has led the RTPI for nearly eight years, is to step down from her post as CEO. She will be moving on to take up the role of CEO at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ju...

What do the Government's new Infrastructure and industrial strategies mean for planning? Learn from our Policy and Data Analyst Olivia Gibson 👇 www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ju... #PlanningReform #SpatialPlanning #InfrastructureStrategy

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill had its 2nd reading in the House of Lords last night. "The real reason why planning has been in difficulty is that there have not been enough staff to do the work necessary, and too few chief planning officers with the necessary clout to drive progress & outcomes."

The Govt’s 10 year Infrastructure Strategy outlines a new joined-up approach. However, the RTPI warns that further support is needed. Read more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/june/a-comprehensive-workforce-and-skills-strategy-needed-to-support-the-government-s-10-year-infrastructure-strategy/

"For planners, this means advocating for design literacy, leading the way in asking for more and engaging communities early in the process." Read Katie's reflections on the Suffolk Design Festival: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/june/katie-fowler-reflecting-on-the-suffolk-design-festival/

We re-affirmed our commitment to advancing diversity, equity & inclusion in the built environment by signing a new 5 yr MoU & welcoming additional signatories. Read more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/june/built-environment-professional-bodies-deepen-commitment-to-edi-with-two-new-signatories/

The National Planning Conference brings together voices from across the planning & development landscape such as planners, architects, developers & LPAs. Hear from sector leaders, policy makers and innovators as they dive into critical themes that will define the coming years: www.rtpi.org.uk/npc

Senior Public Affairs Officer Lazaros Tsenekidis reflects on RTPI's presence at #UKREiiF this year👇 rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ma... "Planning is not just a backdrop to growth and investment – it's the engine driving it."

RTPI acknowledges the government’s efforts to boost housing supply but cautions that local leadership and oversight must not be left behind. Read the full statement: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

RTPI has voiced deep concern following the Government’s decision to restrict funding for L7 Chartered Town Planner apprenticeships to those aged 16-21. The Institute warns that the decision will put the future pipeline of planners at serious risk. Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

We have launched an open invitation to tender for a major public awareness campaign aimed at reshaping public perceptions of the planning profession and the planning system. Read more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ma...

Áine McBeth explains how her community-focused coffee kiosk in Belfast was born out of planning principles and is now a creative and social hub: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/may/%C3%A1ine-mcbeth-planning-pour-overs-and-passion/ 📷 credit: Maritime Belfast Trust

The government should instigate a new wave of public participation in the planning process to unlock its housebuilding programme by giving the “Mimby Majority” a voice, according to new research from RTPI and @demos-uk.bsky.social Read the report: demos.co.uk/wp-content/u...

From the shop floor to private discussions, we’re keen to ensure planning is a part of every conversation at this year's #UKREiiF and ensure our members’ voices are front and centre. Read more: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/may/dr-victoria-hills-shaping-the-future-of-planning-at-ukreiif-2025/

The 2025 RTPI Planning Enforcement Conference: Responding to resourcing challenges, ‘closing the loop’ and recruiting the best. Claire Stafford reports from this year's event: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/may/the-2025-rtpi-planning-enforcement-conference/ #Enforcement #NAPE

Why do women cycle less than men in the UK? @vanfh.bsky.social investigated whether participatory budgeting can contribute to fairer active travel. Read more : www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-r... 📷 Vanessa Harrison

New research summary published by RTPI shows that half of required nature enhancement features are missing in new builds due to enforcement gaps Learn more https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research-rtpi/2025/may/are-developers-in-england-delivering-ecological-enhancements-required-by-planning-permissions/

RTPI is taking a leading role at #UKREiiF and partnering with ICE, RIBA, & RICS to co-host a series of events from our dedicated Built Environment Lounge on the theme of “Collaborating for Growth”. https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/may/rtpi-to-raise-profile-of-planning-at-ukreiif-2025/

Bringing the 2025 Scotland Young Planners Conference to a close with a keynote from John Alexander from SSEN Transmission solution. Focussed on ‘The purpose of planning’ the whole day has been a fabulous insight into the variety of career paths open to planners.

Very excited to receive this in the post today - working with the @rtpiplanners.bsky.social myself John Sturzaker, Mark Scott, Nick Gallent, Gavin Parker and Amy Burnett have considered with the future holds for rural planning in the UK and Ireland - well worth checking out

Claire Stafford reflects on the international collaboration in action at the European Council of Spatial Planners' spring general assembly: www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/ma...

Book your place now for this year’s hybrid Minerals Planning Conference titled 'Planning Reform and Minerals Planning – Mind the Gap.' This conference will reflect upon the opportunities and challenges that the planning reform agenda presents for mineral planning. Book now: www.rtpi.org.uk/mpc

⏰ Hurry time is running out to submit your entry for the Awards for Research Excellence. There are 5 categories to choose from. The closing date for entries is 18 May 2025: www.rtpi.org.uk/researchawards #RTPIResearchAwards #ResearchExcellence

🏠 The MIMBY Majority - we're launching a new report on how to engage the public to unlock #housebuilding. Join us for the launch event exploring how we shift the conversation from NIMBY to MIMBY and build support for new homes. 📅 15 May, 18:00 📍 In person & online 🎟️ Register here ⬇️

RTPI Fellow @richardblyth.bsky.social has been elected to the Executive Committee of the European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTP-CEU) Executive Committee. Learn more: www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/ap...

Where next with land value capture and planning obligations in England? Robbie Calvert defines what land value capture is and how it can be refined 👇 https://www.rtpi.org.uk/blog/2025/april/robbie-calvert-land-value-capture/