Joint Webinar Series
APRS and Planning Democracy are teaming up again this Winter to run another series of Webinars. Starting in November 2025 the events will run monthly ending with an in-person event in April 2026.
APRS and Planning Democracy rely on donations to keep our work going and so we have a suggested donation for participants, however we don’t want anyone to be unable to attend due to the cost so there are also free tickets available.
Please see the 2025-2026 programme below for more information on dates and topics.
2025-2026 Programme
All webinars will run 7:00-8:30pm
How ‘Freedom of Information’ can help your campaign
Wednesday 25th Feb 2026
This webinar looked at how to write and appeal Freedom of Information requests (FoI) and how to use the information received to best effect. Featuring Preslava Todorova of the Environmental Rights Centre Scotland (ERCS), and Suzanne Cross from Invergordon who has used FoI in their local campaign.
Accessing Environmental Justice
Tuesday 10 March 2026
This webinar looked at what routes there are for Environmental Justice currently in Scotland, particularly related to planning issues, and how they can be improved.
We heard from the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) and Planning Democracy. In the run up to the Scottish General Election in May, we heard about Planning Democracy’s Manifesto Asks. And explained how you can get involved in the campaigns.
Campaigning for your Countryside
IN PERSON EVENT – 25th April 2026
A day of workshops, talks and networking for campaigners. Combined with the APRS AGM.
Location: Beechbrae, Blackridge, West Lothian
Time: 10am – 4:30pm
Protecting our local historical and archaeological sites
Monday 10th Nov 2025
This webinar looked at the historic and archaeological environment and how that interacts with the planning system, looking particularly at Policy 7 of NPF4.
We hear from Historic Environment Scotland, the public body responsible for this area.
Battery Storage and Planning
Recorded Wednesday 3rd Dec 2025
This webinar will be the launch of a report and research that APRS has been carrying out on Battery Storage Policy and decision making in the Planning System.
We will hear some of the findings from the report, look into concerns about how Planning Conditions are being applied, and hear from a community group who has also been researching this and been campaigning in their local area.
See 2024-2025 Webinars
Last year we delivered four webinars on Biodiversity and Planning. To see videos and resources from these webinars click the link below.
- Monitoring Biodiversity for Planning
- Biodiversity and new development – Recording what is in our areas
- Nature Networks, LDPs and planning decisions
- Planning Conditions and Enforcement
2024/2025 Winter Webinar Series
Biodiversity and Planning was the theme of our Winter Webinar Series of four webinars culminating in an in-person day event in March 2025. They looked at how communities can better understand, and have a voice in, planning decisions near them, particularly around the area of protecting local biodiversity and nature.
We all know how important access to nature is for people and communities and that we are in a nature crisis. It is important that communities have a say in developments in their area and in these webinars we heard from experts and those with experience of this in their own communities.
Choose one of the webinars below to watch a video of the event or to download the resources.
2024-2025 Programme
Monitoring Biodiversity for Planning
Recorded Wednesday 6th November 2024
This webinar will help you to understand the role of planning in protecting and enhancing biodiversity, the laws around nature protection and the policies designed to prevent further loss of biodiversity.
Biodiversity and new development – Recording what is in our areas
Recorded Wednesday 4th December 2024
In this webinar, we heard from The Wildlife Information Centre about its role in building an understanding of what nature exists in different areas and how it works with communities.
Nature Networks, LDPs and planning decisions
Recorded Wednesday 15th January 2025
The National Planning Framework 4 mentions the importance of Nature Networks in the Green Belts Policy and the Biodiversity Policy but what does this mean for development planning? What are Nature Networks and how do they fit into the planning system?
Planning Conditions and Enforcement
Recorded Wednesday 5th February 2025
This webinar looks at what planning conditions are, how they work and how they are enforced. Developments inevitably affect nature, so how do planners limit the damage, and how effective is this approach?
Drainage, Ditches & Buzzing Biodiversity
Recorded Thursday 28th August 2025
This webinar explored how Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) – the shallow channels, grassy basins, and ponds built into modern developments – can do far more than manage rainwater and prevent flooding. When designed with nature in mind, SUDS can become vital habitats for birds, amphibians, and pollinators like bees and hoverflies – bringing wildlife right to our doorsteps.
See Previous Webinars
In Winter 2023-24 we delivered five webinars on National Planning Framework 4 and Local Development Planning. To see videos and resources from these webinars click the link below.
- Understanding Scotland’s new planning system
- NPF4: how things have changed
- Navigating Local Development Plans
- Having a say in the future of your area
- Green Belts and NPF4
The Nature of Planning: In-person event – 22nd March 2025
To round up our biodiversity and planning series we held an in-person event on the nature of planning, focusing on how communities can take the lead on protecting local biodiversity. Participants were able to take part in panel discussions, have some hands on workshops and discuss in more depth some of the issues covered in the webinar series. Read more about the day at the link below.
Previous Webinars
Choose one of the webinars to watch a video of the event or to download the resources
Navigating Local Development Plans : Insights from Local Authority Planners
Recorded on March 6th 2024
Support APRS
Although these webinars were free to attend, we do ask that people consider supporting us so we can continue to provide information and support as much as possible
Donate to Planning Democracy
Planning Democracy is a grassroots organisation who campaign for greater public and environmental voice in Scottish planning as these webinars were a joint venture so please consider donating.