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Podcast #18: Design of Transfer slabs and efficient structures

Articles by: Piers Rowell
View of a busy construction site with cranes and building structure under clear sky.

As development sites become more constrained and expectations around multi-use building designs continue to rise, structural engineering choices are playing an increasingly important role in successful delivery. In our latest podcast, “Design of Transfer slabs and efficient structures,” Ben is joined by Chris Vivian and Devi Varatharajan to explore current industry trends in concrete design. The discussion focuses on how transfer slabs impact construction efficiency, carbon footprints, and why early-stage engagement is critical to optimizing building design.

View of a busy construction site with cranes and building structure under clear sky.

June 2, 2026

Podcast #18: Design of Transfer slabs and efficient structures

As development sites become more constrained and expectations around multi-use building designs continue to rise, structural engineering choices are playing an increasingly important role in successful delivery. In our latest podcast, “Design of Transfer slabs and efficient structures,” Ben is joined by Chris Vivian and Devi Varatharajan to explore current industry trends in concrete design. The discussion focuses on how transfer slabs impact construction efficiency, carbon footprints, and why early-stage engagement is critical to optimizing building design.
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Group of students and teacher walking in a school courtyard with modern architecture and playground.

May 22, 2026

Delivering Education Infrastructure: Direct Delivery or Section 106 Contributions?

Education facilities play a vital role in shaping successful residential communities. Alongside providing essential school places for growing populations, they help create well-connected neighbourhoods, support long-term community wellbeing and contribute positively to placemaking outcomes. For developers bringing forward significant housing schemes, deciding how education infrastructure obligations should be delivered is rarely straightforward. In most cases, this involves either directly delivering a new education facility as part of the development, or making a financial contribution through a Section 106 Agreement to support provision elsewhere. Each approach carries implications for cost, programme, planning strategy and the long-term success of the development.
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Aerial view of various vehicles driving on asphalt road near typical residential houses in suburban district on sunny day

May 20, 2026

Podcast Episode #17: Moving Places, Managing Noise

As development sites become more constrained and expectations around placemaking continue to rise, the interaction between transport planning and acoustics is playing an increasingly important role in successful design. In our latest podcast, “Moving Places, Managing Noise,” Ben Wakling is joined by Melanie A’Lee and Tom Quaife-Jones to explore how these two disciplines come together in practice. The discussion focuses on how early coordination between transport and noise specialists can improve scheme viability, reduce planning risk and ultimately create better places to live.
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Electrician in a bucket lift repairing power lines from a utility pole in a suburban neighborhood.

January 29, 2026

Quick Tips: How can clients ensure successful integration of utility infrastructure?

Utility infrastructure is a critical component of any development project, yet it’s often one of the most complex and time-sensitive elements to manage. To help clients navigate this challenge, we asked members of the Brookbanks team to share their top tips for ensuring successful integration of utilities into development sites. Here’s what they said...
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Scenic view of Principality Stadium by River Taff in Cardiff, Wales during sunset.

January 23, 2026

Brookbanks Cardiff Office Launch

Brookbanks has expanded its local presence with a new Cardiff office, bringing multidisciplinary planning, engineering and development expertise to support projects across Wales and the UK. With strengthened capabilities in acoustics, SuDS, civil engineering and environmental services, our Cardiff‑based team provides integrated, practical solutions aligned with Welsh planning policy and technical approvals.
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Close-up photo of red and green Monopoly game houses on a reflective surface.

January 21, 2026

LDC Webinar: Making Policy Work on the Ground

When it comes to large-scale development, policy is the easy part. The real challenge? Turning planning requirements into deliverable masterplans that survive detailed design and actually work on the ground. That was the focus of our recent webinar, where we shared practical insights from the Brightwell Lakes project near Ipswich, a 2,000-home scheme shaped by complex ground conditions, mineral extraction, and sensitive transport corridors.
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Close-up of a modern hospital emergency room entrance with prominent red letters.

January 8, 2026

Podcast Episode #9 Healthcare Development

In this episode of the Brookbanks podcast, Danny Lloyd-Jones and Jack Kenny from Brookbanks join Guy Kippen of Prime Plc to explore the evolving landscape of healthcare development in the UK. Together, they discuss innovative approaches to improving NHS infrastructure and creating better environments for staff and patients.
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January 5, 2026

Autumn Budget 2025 – BCIS Webinar Summary (Richard MacLean & Dr David Croswaithe)

The 2025 Autumn Budget has delivered a mix of infrastructure commitments, planning system reforms and skills funding, but alongside persistent cost pressures for construction businesses. The overall outcome is mixed: some medium-term pipeline clarity, but little relief for inflationary cost pressures or immediate sector-wide growth.
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From above electronic calculator and notepad placed over United States dollar bills together with metallic pen for budget planning and calculation

December 17, 2025

Webinar Summary: Section 106 Contributions: Purpose & Recovery

Section 106 (S106) agreements play a vital role in shaping sustainable communities by ensuring that developments contribute to essential infrastructure and services. However, recent research highlights a growing challenge: billions of pounds in developer contributions remain unspent by local authorities. At Brookbanks, we believe understanding the purpose of these agreements, and how to recover unspent funds, is critical for developers and stakeholders alike.
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December 15, 2025

Building Smarter from the Start

At Brookbanks, we know that time and budget are often the defining factors in any project. That’s why we focus on delivering timely, value-driven outcomes through smarter design strategies.
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Close-up of a modern hospital emergency room entrance with prominent red letters.

December 11, 2025

Engineering in Healthcare – M&E Thought Leadership

Attendance at the IHEEM Healthcare Estates Conference 2025 in Manchester offered critical insights into the evolving landscape of NHS estates management and engineering, with a renewed focus shaped by recent government funding allocations to this sector. The event’s 2025 theme, “Prevention Is Better Than Cure,” resonated across discussions, placing proactive strategic planning, compliance, and innovation at the heart of future estates improvement, particularly regarding net zero commitments and sustainability.
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Stunning view of a towering power line against a vibrant sky, showcasing energy infrastructure in nature.

December 4, 2025

Podcast Episode #6: Industrial Energy Security

In our latest podcast, Grant Vasey, Director for our Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Group, and Mat Capper, Director of Utilities, delves into one of the most pressing challenges facing UK industry today: Industrial Energy Security.
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