SolR Update
- Simon Harth
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
May 2025
Welcome to the May 2025 edition of the SoLR Update. We share the last of our current career spotlight series (massive thank you to Ben Anderson for coordinating and editing these). We're looking for someone to coordinate the next series. If you fancy building your network and helping share land referencing careers, please get in touch: hello@solr.org.uk. We also share a summary of the latest Waterfront event at which land referencing featured heavily, and update on Land with Certainty Conference preparations, and links to the recordings of our most recent webinars.
Careers
The last in our current career spotlight series features Gabriela Frank, a land referencing consultant with Blackhall & Powis in Glasgow. Having started her career in England, Gaby has experienced the variety that a career in land referencing can bring, and tells us why people should join the industry.
Professional Engagement
The Professional Engagement sub-committee is making great strides in planning the Land with Certainty Conference 2025. We've established working groups comprising members from other SoLR sub-committees to ensure this year's event is as successful as the last. We're currently reaching out to potential speakers and finalising the day's program. We'll provide updates once everything is confirmed, including the ticket release date.
This year has already seen some fantastic webinars and there are more on the way, please keep an eye out for dates booked in. If you have any topic suggestions or potential speakers in mind, please contact Sarah Joss.
Additionally, we're planning an in-person CPD event to bring SoLR members together regionally. Stay tuned for more details and visit our conference page here to register your interest in attending or sponsoring.
On May 1, 2025, Chris Simpson represented the Society of Land Referencers (SoLR) at the annual Waterfront, Land Assembly and Compulsory Purchase for Major Infrastructure event, hosted by Burges Salmon in London. Chris joined industry leaders Guy Russell (UK Head of Infrastructure, Savills) and John Sayer (Chair of the Compulsory Purchase Association and Head of Regeneration at Ardent) to address critical issues in the land referencing and assembly sector.
The Planning Inspectorate emphasised the need for common data standards and secure data handling, linking town planning and stakeholder engagement to create a single source of project truth. Experts highlighted the importance of starting early in the project lifecycle to benefit acquiring authorities.
Acknowledging the shortage of professionals, the event stressed attracting and retaining talent, learning from past projects, and promoting careers in land assembly. Building rapport with landowners was deemed crucial for better outcomes and consent through negotiation, with bespoke communication methods tailored to landowners' preferences. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and safeguarding projects through best practices and lessons learned. Land referencing was a recurring topic throughout the day.
SoLR member Peter King from Terraquest reiterated the need to start land referencing early to unlock its full benefits across the consents lifecycle. He also highlighted SoLR's role in uniting practitioners to collaborate on best practices and standards, raising the profile of land referencing.
Catch-up:
National Underground Asset Register Webinar
Come to this webinar to hear from Dave Hodkin from the Government’s Geospatial Commission who are leading on the development of the NUAR, who provide further insight on the work undertaken on the NUAR so far and its plans for moving forward.
Introduction to the ecological survey calendar. What, why, when?
CPD for land consultants negotiating land access for ecological surveys and coordinating fieldwork. Join Dominic Woodfield from Bioscan UK and hear about the constrained ecological survey calendar and the range of species surveys which must be undertaken within these timeframes.
Can you contribute to the SoLR newsletter?
We'd love to share your professional experiences, insights and endeavours. Get in touch: hello@solr.org.uk
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