This seminar brought together over 185 members to explore Westminster’s evolving planning and development landscape – with a focus around new and emerging local, regional and national planning policy, a constrained commercial development pipeline, the formation of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, and upcoming local elections.
The event opened with a keynote from Cllr Geoff Barraclough (Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, Westminster), reflecting on the Labour administration’s key achievements. This was followed by a panel of industry and political leaders discussing how the events of 2026 will shape one of London’s most important economic and cultural hubs and its built environment.
Our speakers included:
- Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, Westminster City Council
- Charles Begley, Chief Executive, WPA (panel chair)
- Jerry Bell, Planning Area Team Leader (North), Westminster City Council
- Giles Easter, WPA Board & Chief Executive Officer, BEAM
- Richard Howard, Executive Director – Office Leasing & Lease Consultancy, CBRE
- Andrea Merrington, WPA Planning and Development Committee Chair & Director of Planning and Place, The Howard de Walden Estate
- Helena Morris, WPA Planning & Development Committee & Senior Development Director, Stanhope
- James Wickham, WPA Planning Consultants’ Group Vice Chair & Partner, Newmark
