Top planners from across Scotland are set to gather in Kilmarnock this month for the prestigious annual conference of Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS).

The event, themed "The Power of Planning – a Force for Good," will be held on Thursday, 19th June, at the Centrestage venue, a fitting choice given its transformation of the historic former Kilmarnock Academy into an inclusive community hub.

The conference will feature a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions. This will be followed on Friday 20 June, by a guided walk around Kilmarnock’s main development sites, offering practical insights into local regeneration efforts.

Open to both professional planners and anyone with an interest in planning, the conference runs from 10:00 BST (doors open 9:30 BST) until 16:30 BST, with an evening reception to follow. Tickets are priced at £60 and are available on Eventbrite.

Delegates will gain valuable insights into the crucial role planners play in delivering quality homes in appropriate locations across Scotland. The programme includes contributions from the Scottish Government’s Chief Planner, Local Authority Chief Planning Officers, and speakers from Homes for Scotland, Persimmon Homes, and the Head of Housing at East Ayrshire Scotland.

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Sessions will also delve into how training can empower elected members to enhance the planning process through sound decision-making, led by the Chief Executive of Planning Aid Scotland, alongside a panel of experts in local authority planning. Other topics for discussion include Digital Placemaking, Carbon Balance, Drainage Partnerships, Youth Engagement, Masterplanning, and Centrestage’s own compelling planning story.

Councillor Graham Barton, Cabinet Spokesperson for Planning, Property and Environment, East Ayrshire Council, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the conference: "For us it’s very exciting to have been chosen to host this year’s conference. It gives us a chance to share our own experiences of planning and regeneration and showcase some of that knowledge in this wonderful venue." He lauded the collaborative work that transformed Centrestage, describing it as proof that "regeneration and planning is about more than buildings and spaces, it’s about what wise decision making brings to those who benefit from their design and use."

Fiona McKenzie OBE, Founder of Centrestage, added: "We are honoured to welcome planning leaders from across Scotland to CentreStage for this year’s HOPS Conference. The transformation of the former Kilmarnock Academy has been made possible through a shared vision and sustained, cross-sector collaboration... It is a privilege to host this significant gathering and to contribute to the national conversation on how inclusive, people-centred planning can drive meaningful and lasting change."