Taking the fear out of developing near rail.
Join us for a practical, insight-led and action-focused session designed to help developers confidently navigate projects near the railway.
Developing near the railway can feel like one of the most complex challenges in the planning and construction process.
This focused 2.5-hour session is designed to demystify those challenges and give you the confidence to move forward with your projects.
Real, applicable insight you can take back to live projects.
Four practical takeaways from a 2.5-hour session built around your real planning and construction questions.
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A clearer view of risk
Understand the key risks and constraints when developing near rail, from possessions to land interfaces.
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Practical guidance
Learn how to prepare and avoid the common pitfalls that derail planning timelines and budgets.
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Confidential discussion
A Chatham House setting to put your own live projects in front of expert eyes.
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Valuable connections
Meet developers, land promoters and investors working on schemes that share your constraints.
Real-world experience from making projects happen.
Our speakers will share their 65+ years of combined experience — real-world examples, the common problem areas, and actionable strategies you can apply immediately.
Giles Clifford
Regeneration Partner and Joint Head of Rail - Chair of the event
Giles has over 30 years experience advising clients on the interface between rail and the built environment, working for both developers and transport bodies on asset protection, over station development and other types of interaction, from major schemes such as Crossrail and the Thameslink upgrade to single-point railway issues on individual development schemes.
Ian Walters
Managing Director
SLC
Ian specialises in rail and infrastructure delivery that enables new housing and mixed-use development, with a proven track record on rail-adjacency projects where development interfaces directly with operational rail. Having delivered 20+ new stations, he helps developers navigate the technical and regulatory challenges and works with partners to secure the funding, approvals and commercial agreements that unlock sites and connect communities.
Richard Green
Construction & Engineering Partner
Gowling WLG (UK)
Richard has 29 years' experience in the construction and infrastructure sector, working on numerous multi-million-pound, large-scale, complex rail-based developments — negotiating with major commercial developers, major contractors and Network Rail. That experience allows him to advise clients on, and negotiate with, bodies (such as Network Rail) that are not funded to take the risk of third-party developments and are therefore incredibly risk averse.
How the session runs.
A relaxed, lunch-led format with focused expert input and time for live discussion.
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12:30
Arrival drinks
Welcome and introductions.
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13:00
Lunch
A relaxed lunch with the speakers and other attendees.
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13:30
Informal presentations & Chatham House discussion
Richard and Ian share concise, real-world insights on the recurring problems they see, followed by an open, confidential discussion of live challenges in the room.
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14:20 - 15:00
Closing refreshments & networking
Wrap-up and time to follow up with speakers or other attendees on anything raised.
Built for the people doing the work.
- Developers
- Land promoters
- Investors