I would have put the title of the event in the header: Ten Years’ Time. However, it may have confused you given that the event will be this year rather than in 2036. To explain:
I had the sobering thought a while ago that this blog is ten years’ old at the beginning of June. I wanted to do something to mark that.
Why not bring together in one room for one time only some other opinionated planning and planning law bloggers, podcasters and writers?
And, in so doing, why not help London youth charity XLP?
So from 4.30pm until 7pm on Monday 1 June (followed by an informal drinks reception), the following people have all kindly agreed to be panellists at what I hope will be a unique, thought/smile/frown provoking, event:
- Angus Walker (TLT, Infrastructure Planning Blog)
- Catriona Riddell (Catriona Riddell and Associates, Planning After Dark podcast)
- Hashi Mohamed (Landmark Chambers, author People Like Us & A Home Of One’s Own)
- Jennie Baker, Lichfields, Lichfields’ Planning Matters blog)
- Nick Cuff (Urban Sketch, Prop Views blog)
- Nicola Gooch (Birketts, Planning and Pink Crocodiles blog )
- Philip Barnes (Savills, the Philip Barnes Blog )
- Sam Stafford (LPDF, 50 Shades of Planning blog and podcast)
- Zack Simons KC (Landmark Chambers, #Planoraks blog)
Instead of looking back over the ten years and 508 posts so far of Simonicity, what I want to do is to look forward. We’re now 10 years on from 2016. So much has changed and yet so little. What can we expect in our planning and planning law world for 2036? How can we influence it for the better? What we all do as planners and planning lawyers boils down to trying to predict and influence future outcomes – but for most of us (certainly not the lawyers) not looking ahead so long. We are going to arrange those mentioned into two panels which I will chair. I want some unique and challenging perspectives from them – and from those of you in attendance.
Priority access tickets will be on sale from 2 April to subscribers of any of the blogs and podcasts mentioned – I will be circulating an Eventbrite link that day with details also of the City venue for the event which only has a 120-seat capacity.
Any remaining tickets will go more generally on sale from 7 April.
All proceeds will be in aid of XLP and the amazing work they do for young people in London. Tickets will be priced at £40 with a discounted price of £25 for those in the public sector and students.
Do look out for the notification on 2 April and in the meantime do save the date in your diaries if his is of interest.
Finally, a few sponsorship opportunities are still available. The event’s confirmed sponsors so far are Town Legal and Lichfields. If this is of interest do contact me.
Simon Ricketts, 15 March 2026
Personal views, et cetera
SIMONICITY 