Planning Solutions for Society’s Biggest Challenges

We live in an era of complex, overlapping challenges — from the housing crisis and public health concerns to climate resilience and social inequality. The good news? Planning has a key role to play in addressing them.

When used strategically, the planning system can help create healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient places that benefit society at large.

At Boyer, we believe planners aren’t just facilitators of development — we’re partners in solving some of the UK’s most urgent problems.

The housing crisis: planning is part of the answer

The UK’s housing shortage is well documented — but less discussed is the role of planning in creating solutions. Planning is the mechanism through which:

• Affordable homes are secured via Section 106 contributions
• Mixed-tenure communities are designed to support integration
• New sites are allocated and guided through the system
• Delivery is unlocked through evidence-based Local Plans and housing needs assessments

At Boyer, we work with developers, local authorities and registered providers to shape housing strategies that not only meet targets but respond to local demographics, viability and market need.

Planning for public health and wellbeing

The way places are designed and developed has a direct impact on health — from the air we breathe to the stress we experience.

Planning can influence health outcomes by:

• Ensuring walkable neighbourhoods with access to open space
• Promoting active travel through safe cycling and pedestrian routes
• Securing health infrastructure like GP surgeries and community clinics
• Designing out crime and antisocial behaviour
• Improving access to healthy food and social connection

We work with clients to incorporate these principles early in the planning process, creating healthier environments by design.

Building climate resilience into communities

Climate change isn’t a future problem — it’s a current reality. Planners have a vital role in ensuring developments are resilient to flooding, heatwaves, and other climate risks.

Our work includes:

• Supporting sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and flood mitigation
• Promoting green infrastructure networks
• Advising on low-carbon design and energy strategies
• Considering the long-term performance of buildings and materials
• Encouraging compact, connected development that reduces car dependency

Planning is one of the few tools that can shape both mitigation and adaptation — and we believe every development should do both.

Supporting stronger, more equal communities

Good planning can also reduce inequality — when it’s designed to ensure access to opportunity, inclusive public space, and affordable transport and amenities.

That’s why we advocate for policies and proposals that promote:

• Social mix in housing
• Access to education, jobs and services
• Digital and transport connectivity
• Civic pride and place identity

At Boyer, our team helps bring forward schemes that reflect this thinking — creating places where people not only live, but thrive.

Planning isn’t just reactive. It’s proactive.

Too often, planning is seen as a barrier. But in truth, planning is one of the few systems that can anticipate and respond to social challenges at scale.

Whether it's allocating land for schools, integrating new healthcare facilities, or guiding energy-efficient design, planning can — and must — be a lever for change.

We’re ready to be part of the solution

At Boyer, we bring together policy insight, strategic thinking, and on-the-ground experience to help clients use planning as a tool for good.

If you’re grappling with a major challenge — housing delivery, infrastructure needs, resilience planning — we’d love to help you develop a solution.