Development projects often begin with a clear vision, a well-considered masterplan and ambitious objectives for the future of a site. As schemes progress, planning, infrastructure, engineering and commercial considerations all play a role in shaping how that vision is ultimately delivered. In the latest episode of the Brookbanks Podcast, Lee Witts, Group Director, and Richard Moorcroft, Chief Technical Officer, discuss the relationship between planning aspirations and delivery realities, exploring how projects evolve as they move through the development lifecycle. Drawing on their experience across planning, infrastructure and project delivery, Lee and Richard share their perspectives on why plans can sometimes look different on paper than they do when a scheme reaches delivery, and how greater collaboration between disciplines can help create stronger outcomes for clients and stakeholders.
The Building Safety Levy (BSL) is fast approaching, coming into operation in England on 1 October 2026. Much of the industry discussion so far has understandably focused on the rate of the levy, and its potential impact and importance as part of development planning. However, for many developers, the timing of the payment may be as important, if not more, than the amount itself.
Residential As the UK continued to face pressure to deliver more homes, the housebuilding sector was operating in a complex and fast-moving environment. From policy reform and planning uncertainty to skills availability and new regulatory requirements, the conditions shaping residential development remained firmly in focus. The latest episode of the Brookbanks Podcast our Head of Cost & Commercial, Ben Wakeling sat down with Neil Jefferson, CEO of Home Builders Federation to discuss the current policy and initiatives HBF are in conversation with the Government about. Drawing on their experience across residential build planning, Ben and Neil share their perspectives on where the UK housebuilding industry currently stands, whether there is enough labour force to keep up with property building demands and the opinion of how the building safety levy will affect the industry.
Requests for drainage verification reports from local authorities as part of development approval have become increasingly frequent, as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) have been introduced as guidance across England, following their mandatory introduction in Wales in 2019. Planning authorities are placing greater emphasis on demonstrating that the designed drainage system for a development has been built in accordance with the approved design, is performing as intended, and will operate effectively once the development is occupied. In our latest webinar, Toby Crayden, Civils Technical Director, explored what a good drainage verification report should look like, the common hurdles that need to be overcome, and how early engagement and good record-keeping can make the process more straightforward, reduce delays and costs.