General

IWA’s Planning Advisory Panel operates in parallel with the Restoration High Level Panel and the Heritage Advisory Panel  in both providing general advice on planning matters and in advancing the understanding of planning issues affecting all areas of waterways.  It contributes towards the keynote IWA objective Protecting the Waterways.

Definitions

Planning in this context covers all areas of development policy and control including Local Plans, planning applications, planning appeals, national planning policy, major infrastructure projects, neighbourhood plans, nature conservation designations, listed buildings, conservation areas, etc.

Remit of IWA Planning Advisory Panel

1. To provide professional and experience-based advice to IWA branches, members, waterway groups and others on specific planning issues referred to the Panel relating to navigable waterways and those under restoration, liaising respectively with the IWA’s Navigation Committee and Restoration Hub as required.
2. To identify, consider and respond to government and other national planning consultations as appropriate to protect and promote the interests of waterways and their users.
3. To encourage IWA branches to appoint one or more planning officers to monitor, receive consultations on, and respond to planning matters affecting their local waterways.
4. To promote a greater understanding of, and provide advice on, the planning system as it affects waterways, and to suggest additional research required on the subject under IWA’s Value of Waterways research programme.
5. To support trustees in making a case for the importance of the planning system in protecting and promoting the waterways at the highest levels in government, navigation authorities and other agencies.
6. To represent IWA in liaison with Canal & River Trust, other navigation authorities and other organisations concerned with waterways planning.

Procedures of the Planning Advisory Panel and Membership

Communicating
The core members of the Panel will meet periodically but will primarily liaise by email, telephone or video conferencing.

Reporting
The Panel will report on its activities annually to trustees, and may submit papers on specific issues if it considers that high level involvement is required.

Advice Requests
Information to and requests for assistance of the Panel members may be communicated directly through Panel members or made through Head Office, generally by the Policy & Campaigns Officer for navigation related matters or the Restoration Hub co-ordinator for restoration related matters.

Administration
The Panel will be administered internally with the designated main contact being responsible for ensuring appropriate liaison with Head Office.

Funding
Information and advice will be provided without charge but in the event of the need to incur costs (e.g. travel to a meeting or site) this should be borne by the beneficiaries of the service if they are not part of IWA.  Where advice is given to other parts of IWA then expenses will be reimbursed from central funds.

Membership
See the Committee Membership page

The Panel may co-opt other members with expertise and/or experience of the planning process, subject to agreement by trustees.
Branch planning officers and others may also be invited to be corresponding members of the Panel.

Terms of Reference approved by IWA Trustees, August 2019
Amended December 2025