Planning Inspectorate – News and updates about the Planning Inspectorate A journey of a thousand miles A journey of a thousand miles One of our senior female planning inspectors reflects on nearly nine years at the Planning Inspectorate - from trainee to Band 3, juggling family life, navigating imposter syndrome, and finding support from colleagues along the way. What does a career as a planning inspector really look like? of A journey of a thousand miles Interim Chief Executive Graham Stallwood looks forward to working together across the planning sector in a busy and exciting 2026. Interim Professional Lead for Appeals, Claire Searson, reflects on a recent webinar into professional conduct at planning inquiries. Chief People Officer Hayley Kelly talks about the inspiration she has drawn from the recent CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition and her pride in helping make PINS a great place to work. Inspector manager Louise Gibbons talks about the most recent programme officer training offered by the Planning Inspectorate, and the importance of the role within the local plans examination process. With Planning We Can! This World Town Planning Day, hear how Planning Inspectorate colleagues are building fairer, more sustainable communities—and how you could help shape planning's future. Graham Stallwood, Chief operating officer for the Planning Inspectorate, reflects on the practical impact of the Planning Inspectorate’s work and gives his insights into our most recent performance update. Interim Chief Planning Inspector, Rebecca Phillips, reflects on the opportunities and challenges for housing development following changes to national planning policy on Green Belt. Andrew Megginson is Head of Service for Local Plans at the Planning Inspectorate where he leads the operational delivery of local plan examinations across England. Together with Simon Berkeley, Professional Lead for Local Plans, they recently delivered a comprehensive webinar on preparing local plans for successful examination. With the introduction of the new Appeal A Planning Decision Service, the Appeals Casework Portal closure will be happening by April 2026. What does this mean for appellants and LPAs? Hafren Thomas reflects on her transformative placement year as an Environmental Impact Assessment Advisor at the Planning Inspectorate. From hands-on experience with planning appeals to navigating hybrid working, discover how her year in government helped bridge the gap between academic study and career aspirations. Related content and links About this blog This blog helps customers understand the role of the Planning Inspectorate in the planning system, and shares insights about our work. Find out more Sign up and manage updates Email Atom