Claire Bennie and Lorraine Hughes explore - How dense should we plan? What are the principles of good high density housing? Why do big developments take so long in the planning system? What makes a good masterplan? 

Claire Bennie is Director of Municipal, a new consultancy which helps visionary people put thought, care, ambition and quality back into housing. Amongst other projects, Municipal is working with igloo and Nationwide Building Society to direct a new housing development in Swindon. Claire spent 11 years at London housing association Peabody, latterly as Development Director, leading an award-winning programme of 5000 new build homes. Claire pioneered smarter procurement at Peabody to achieve high quality built results as well as nurturing SMEs. Claire previously worked as an architect at Proctor and Matthews Architects on several housing schemes, including a phase of Greenwich Millennium Village. Claire is a panel member at Design South East and chairs Design Review at Brighton and Hove as well as Kingston councils. Claire is also a Mayor’s Design Advocate.

Lorraine Hughes is a Senior Director in CBRE’s Planning Team and has over 23 years’ experience as a planning consultant.  She had advised on a number of large and complex development projects navigating successful outcomes through the planning system, formulating appropriate strategies, negotiating applications and acting as an expert witness. Previous projects include a number of Crossrail’s Over Sites in central London and also Wood Wharf to the east of the Canary Wharf estate, securing permission for a high density masterplan scheme for a mixed use development of over 650,000sqm.