Parks should be accessible & welcoming to all. Yet in Britain, women are 3x more likely than men to feel unsafe in a park during the day. We must create a community of active bystanders to make our parks safer & more inclusive, writes Dr Anna Barker on the launch of a new campaign. shorturl.at/kti7o

A new generation of New Towns is not a silver bullet to achieving the government’s housing targets. But, if done well, it's an important part of the solution to increasing the delivery of much needed, quality homes in sustainable, healthy communities. Blog series: www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/th...

I'm now vanishing down a new towns rabbit hole with this brilliant 200-page book from 1974.

🦋 Stewardship is essential for the long-term success of healthy thriving new communities. 🌿 This webinar on 16 Oct will explore the management & stewardship of large-scale new communities, plus wider placemaking & governance. Register: www.tcpa.org.uk/event/stewar... Sponsored by ADAM Architecture

As we await the findings of the New Towns Taskforce report & watch the Planning & Infrastructure Bill progress through Parliament, we should ponder the role of public participation in delivering new large-scale communities, says Charlotte Llewellyn. TCPA 'From the Archive' blog: shorturl.at/r8800

Join the launch of our Community Planning Guides on 21 Oct 7-8pm! This free webinar will introduce 3 guides: on flood risk, overheating & retrofit. You'll also hear from speakers working with communities including Local Trust, National Flood Forum & Shade the UK. www.tcpa.org.uk/event/launch...

#WorldCarFreeDay A few decades ago, it was the norm for children in the UK to play out. Now, parked cars & moving traffic restrict opportunities for outdoor play. This report highlights the need to to prioritise young people & move away from car-centric urban design www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/ra...

We're hiring! The Events and Projects Assistant helps us deliver our programme of high quality, high profile in-person and virtual events including webinars, conferences & parliamentary receptions. The deadline for applications is 11am, Monday 6 October. Apply: www.tcpa.org.uk/vacancy-even...

Today is #WorldCarFreeDay. Too many neighbourhoods & cities are designed around cars, & prioritise vehicle movement on our streets. This blog explores how changing & reducing how we use cars can bring a huge range of benefits for people & the planet. www.tcpa.org.uk/low-traffic-...

London's Green Roots Fund is open for applications from local authorities and charities until 22 Jan - funding projects that promote green and blue infrastructure around the capital @thetcpa.bsky.social @habsandheritage.bsky.social www.london.gov.uk/programmes-s...

Do you have excellent organisational skills & are you calm under pressure? We're looking for an Events & Projects Assistant to help us deliver our programme of high quality, high profile in-person & virtual events. Apply by 11am on 6 October. Find out more: www.tcpa.org.uk/vacancy-even...

Prof Ben Wheeler & Dr Mark Ferguson, PhD will lead this free webinar on green & blue infrastructure. They'll explore opportunities & risks that planners face when integrating green/blue space & reveal how a systems approach can maximise health benefits. 23 Oct: 12 – 1:30 pm 🎫 shorturl.at/e6ZEM

🧱 The Housing Secretary has issued a 'call to arms' to 'build, baby, build'. 👉 But new homes must be of the right quality, in the right place, at the right price. The TCPA white paper 'Our shared future' sets out the practical steps needed to unlock housing delivery. www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/ou...

September marks the return to school and university. Did you know that the TCPA offers discounted memberships for students & young people? This includes free digital membership for under 18 year olds. View our membership packages: www.tcpa.org.uk/join/

We want to broaden the skills & range of perspectives on our Policy Council & Board of Trustees. Expertise in town planning is not essential. > www.tcpa.org.uk/voluntary-ro... > www.tcpa.org.uk/trustee-town... Voluntary positions but reasonable travel expenses will be paid. Deadline 12pm 3 October.

The TCPA Annual Conference '25 will explore: > Community action in sustainable development > The Planning & Infrastructure Bill's impact on the environment > Ambitious approaches to nature recovery + more Join us in London on 27 Nov for lively discussion & future-focused thinking shorturl.at/eyVV7

We've produced a wealth of guidance & resources to support those interested in long-term stewardship. On 16 October our webinar will explore the practical realities of ongoing management & stewardship of large scale new communities, & wider placemaking and governance. www.tcpa.org.uk/event/stewar...

Vacancy (voluntary) TCPA Policy Council We are interested in people with experience in/knowledge of: >Healthy place-making >Planning law >Affordable homes >Economic development, investment, viability >Heritage >Energy efficiency, building design, retrofit www.tcpa.org.uk/voluntary-ro...

🍍 The entries are now open for the Pineapples Awards 2026 & the Healthy Homes category returns for a second year! It celebrates best practice & raises awareness on the impact of housing quality on health, taking inspiration from the TCPA's 12 Healthy Homes Principles. www.tcpa.org.uk/will-you-be-...

We're looking to appoint new Trustees. You don't need experience in planning/the built environment. We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in: Fundraising & business development Governance Operational elements of running a small charity Campaigning & comms shorturl.at/G0OQ3

The Housing minister says the NPPF addresses people's health but this means little in practice - as paragraph nine of the NPPF states these policies ‘are not criteria against which every decision can or should be judged’. @dluhcmedia.blog.gov.uk.web.brid.gy

🗣️ 'Planning has been described by some, rather mischievously, as a ‘system without a purpose’. But we argue that the planning system can be transformational.' Lachlan Anderson-Frank reveals what to expect from this year's Annual Conference: The purpose of planning. www.tcpa.org.uk/announcing-t...

Baroness Warwick (Lab) agrees PDR reform is needed. RICS found that office to resi conversions were worse quality under PDR than through planning. She calls for the HealthyHomes Principles to apply as a minimum #housing @local.gov.uk @dluhcdigital.blog.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @thetcpa.bsky.social

Baroness Thornhill (Lib Dem) has called on the government to reform Permitted Development Rights to ensure that we build more good quality homes through the planning system #housing #Planning @lgbtqreads.bsky.social @dluhcmedia.blog.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @thetcpa.bsky.social

'Quiet sense of pride': Large majority of Brits back ambitious climate action Vast majority of British public are concerned about climate change and proud of UK's efforts to tackle it, according to new landmark survey of more than 7,000 people. @james-bg.bsky.social

⚠️ Flood risk management in England is being fatally undermined by recent appeal & legal decisions. These set a dangerous precedent which risk allowing an increase in housing permissions in areas at high risk of flooding. Read our new briefing: 🖇️ www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/a-... #FloodRisk #Planning

Join us at 2pm today! Tickets: www.tcpa.org.uk/event/planni...

It's #AccessibleHomesWeek (AHW): celebrating what an accessible home can do for a person's wellbeing, independence & quality of life. Ensuring that homes are inclusive, accessible & adaptable is one of 12 Healthy Homes Principles: www.tcpa.org.uk/inclusive-ac... AHW: www.habinteg.org.uk/fah/

The impacts of flooding, overheating & other consequences of climate change stand in the way of the creation of vibrant communities. Tomorrow's webinar will explore the practical ways to address climate impact & mitigation in large-scale new communities. 🎟️ www.tcpa.org.uk/event/planni...

There's still time to get your ticket for 'Planning for climate change in new communities' (9 October, 2-3.30pm) The webinar will offer insight for local councils, planners & communities. We’ll explore the practical realities of addressing climate impact & mitigation www.tcpa.org.uk/event/planni...

⏳ The New Towns Taskforce's report is expected very soon. Last year, we published 'Health, hope and prosperity: a vision for healthy new towns'. It demonstrates how visionary outcomes for new communities can be made practically deliverable. www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/he...

✅ Research shows that the public see parks & green spaces as priority issues. ❌ But this message has failed to reach politicians. 👉 A new research project is hoping to demonstrate that if governments want votes, they should back nature, not neglect it: gipartnership.org.uk/a-call-for-n...

'Let’s stop this phony war on nature & focus on delivering practical solutions that work for business, the economy & communities' In this guest blog Sally Hayns (CIEEM) explains why Pt 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill may not be the answer to developers’ dreams www.tcpa.org.uk/planning-and...

Local Plans shape the future of boroughs, from housing & green space to transport. But the process can feel complex. Planning Aid for London's guide demystifies the process of creating a Local Plan & explains how communities can be involved from the start. planningaidforlondon.org.uk/planning-lib...

💡 Have you heard of a TimeBank? Unlike traditional volunteering, it's a system of reciprocal exchange. You can share anything that can be measured with time. The skills & support shared through TimeBank Hull range from from guitar lessons to tech support. Case study: www.tcpa.org.uk/resources/ti...

By joining the TCPA you'll receive discounts on events & exclusive copies of Town & Country Planning journal. Support our vital work to help ensure that everyone can thrive in a socially just, healthy, sustainable & resilient environment. A range of memberships are available: www.tcpa.org.uk/join/

Stewardship is a vital ingredient to ensure the success of new communities. Our webinar for local councils, planners & communities will explore the practicalities of ongoing management & stewardship of new developments. Discounted tickets available for TCPA members www.tcpa.org.uk/event/stewar...

🚨 Tickets are available for our annual conference! 🚨 📅 Thurs 27 November, 10am – 3:30pm 📍 London 💡 The Purpose of planning Join us to explore the transformational potential of the planning system. 🎫 Agenda and tickets: lnkd.in/e4WeqpSx We are grateful for the support of Greenbelt Group

The Pineapples champion projects that tackle urgent challenges & create spaces where communities flourish. The Pineapple for Healthy Homes returns for a second year! This award celebrates best practice & raises awareness of the impact of housing quality on health. Enter: thepineapples.co.uk

Webinar: Planning for climate change in new communities (09/09) ✅ Embedding sustainable infrastructure policies in development plan documents ✅ Salt Cross Garden Village’s Net Zero policy ✅ Enabling Water Smart Communities Project ✅ New National standards for SuDS www.tcpa.org.uk/event/planni...

Forecast for accessible homes 2025: one decade on… milestone or millstone? Habinteg is hosting a webinar during Accessible Homes Week to discuss its 2025 forecast for accessible homes. Date: Weds 10 September Time: 11am-12pm Where: Online (Zoom) Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/forecast-f...

‘Yet for many people, life is so hectic that a glimpse of beauty on the walk to the office or a tranquil spot for a hasty lunch break may be as important to quality of life as the creation of large specialist havens.’ - Dr Sally Cairns New: From the archive blog archive.tcpa.org.uk/posts/news/2...

💻 Webinar: Stewardship for New Communities 📅 16 October 10 - 11.30am The ongoing stewardship of large scale new communities - from community facilities & shops, to greenspaces - is a vital element of maintaining high quality new places. 🎫 Agenda & tickets: www.tcpa.org.uk/event/stewar...

There's still time to apply for this position: Osborn Research Assistant (New Towns & Garden Cities)!

Webinar: climate impact & mitigation in large scale new communities Agenda: ✅ Embedding sustainable infrastructure policies in development plans ✅ Salt Cross Garden Village Net Zero policy ✅ Enabling Water Smart Communities Project ✅ New National standards for SuDs www.tcpa.org.uk/event/planni...

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Developers' friend or foe? In this guest blog, Sally Hayns (CEO, CIEEM)) discusses why Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill may not be the answer to developers’ dreams. 🔗 www.tcpa.org.uk/planning-and...

'New communities must be founded on a robust economic model that allows for upfront investment in infrastructure to de-risk development... The current model sees profits from development privatised, while most costs of infrastructure are socialised.' Hugh Ellis, TCPA www.tcpa.org.uk/paying-for-a...

Do you want to help shape the future of play? Join Playful Places: Designing for Movement on 9 September at Coventry University. Hosts Prof Michael Duncan & Dr Amy Stringer bring together thought leaders from Sport England, Urban & Civic, Jupiter Play & Bradley Murphy Design. 🎫 lnkd.in/dXsi43VA

The TCPA Study Tour visited 5 new communities in Cambridgeshire. Strategies like early collaboration via detailed design codes, prioritising public realm by relocating cars to the periphery, & phase-1 planting have been effective in establishing new communities. www.tcpa.org.uk/learning-fro...

We have an exciting opportunity to join the TCPA as the Osborn Research Assistant! This role works on a wide variety of projects but has a particular emphasis on large-scale new communities including New Towns and Garden Cities. Deadline: Monday 1 September 2pm www.tcpa.org.uk/osborn-resea...