Annual Surrey Development Conference 2026

Wednesday 4 November 2026 | Hilton Woking

With just few dayss until the Surrey Development Forum Annual Conference, we’re pleased to reveal the agenda for Wednesday 4 November at Hilton in Woking.

With Surrey facing significant changes to local government and planning, this year’s conference brings together senior local government leaders, the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate and leading development professionals to examine what lies ahead for the county.

Tickets

All attendees, including member delegates, should register in advance through Eventbrite using the link below. Tickets are £350 + VAT and booking fees.

Register for the Annual Conference

Places are limited, secure your place now.

View the full conference agenda below:

09:00-09:30: Registration, refreshments and networking

09:30-09:35: Conference welcome by Katie Lamb, Chair of Surrey Development Forum and Head of Planning, Strutt & Parker

09:35-09:45: Keynote: John Tarvit, Director of Planning, Wates Developments

09:45-09:55: Welcome from Cllr Steve Wotton, Leader of East Surrey Council

09:55-10:15: The view from the Planning Inspectorate, Graham Stallwood, Chief Executive, the Planning Inspectorate

10:15-11:00: Unlocking Growth: How LGR can accelerate development in Surrey

• Chair: Julian Seymour, CEO, Cratus Group
• Cllr Bradley Nelson, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Growth, East Surrey Council
• Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Place and Economy, West Surrey Council

11:00-11:30: Refreshment Break

11:30-11:50: Top 5 considerations for planning 2027, Nick Grant, Barrister, Landmark Chambers

11:50-12:35: Latest changes to development management

• Chair: Fiona Howie, Director of Communities and Placemaking, Cratus Group
• Simon Ricketts, Partner, Town Legal
• Claire Upton-Brown, Joint Head of Planning for Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils
• Joe Maphosa, RTPI South East Regional Management Board Member, South East Nations and Regions representative and Regional Activities Committee Policy Lead

12:35-13:00: The Strategic Authority picture beyond Surrey, Catriona Riddell, Director, Catriona Riddell & Associates

13:00-14:00: Lunch

14:00-14:50: Can Surrey still make development viable? Sponsored by Savills

• Chair: Daniel Formston, Residential Research Associate, Savills
• Tom Hegan, Senior Partner, Turner Morum
• Final panellists to be confirmed shortly

14:50-15:00: Spatial Development Strategy, Caroline McKenzie, Director of Environment and Planning, Surrey County Council

15:00-15:50: Planning through Fresh Eyes

• Chair: Samantha Wilkinson, Senior Associate, Savills
• Two Surrey Youth Cabinet Representative
• Imogen Clark, Co-Founder, Make Space for Girls

15:50-15:55: Close of Conference, Craige Burden, Vice Chair of Surrey Development Forum and Town Planner, Architect and Urban Designer, Barratt Redrow

15:55-16:00: Final remarks with Andrew Whittingham, Director, Motion

16:00-18:00: Drinks reception at Hilton Sky Bar, Sponsored by Motion

Please note: The agenda is subject to change, including speakers, sessions and timings, up until the day of the event

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters

Sponsors:

1. Wates Developments – Conference sponsor
2. Motion – Drinks sponsor
3. Savills – Panel sponsor

Exhibitors (bronze):

1. English Estates
2. Surrey County Council