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The Brookbanks Difference / News

Welcome to our News page. Here, you’ll find the latest updates on all things Brookbanks, as well as industry news, guides, expert advice and more. Make sure to check in regularly to stay informed.

Two pale cream coloured dethatched houses, with grey roofs. Built by SME developers in the UK under the guidance of Brookbanks.

March 3, 2026

The Real Challenges Facing SME Housebuilders

The UK’s housing delivery challenge is well-documented. Yet amid the national conversation about planning reform, infrastructure, and build-out rates, one group consistently punches above its weight: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) housebuilders. SMEs are a vital part of the solution, but they face very real and persistent hurdles development strategies.
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three electric vehicle chargers attached to a red brick wall in an outside car park

February 25, 2026

Delivering EV Charging Infrastructure: Helping Developments Meet Today’s Demands and Tomorrow’s Expectations

At Brookbanks, we know EV charging becomes far more manageable when it’s approached as part of a wider development picture rather than an isolated task. Rising regulatory demands, limited capacity, cost pressures and the realities of underground or enclosed parking all interact in ways that can affect programme, viability and long‑term performance. This article looks at the recurring challenges we see across residential, commercial and mixed‑use projects and the practical steps that help developments meet Part S requirements, manage grid limitations, integrate load‑balancing and smart‑charging systems, and plan for solar PV and battery storage. The aim is to provide clear, grounded insight that helps teams design EV strategies that genuinely stand up to modern development demands.
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A street of Brookbanks residential houses

February 23, 2026

Our February 2026 Newsletter

Welcome to our February 2026 newsletter. In this issue, we will be sharing what’s been happening over the past month, including our two new podcasts highlighting the common pitfalls around S278 and S38 highway approvals, and what the Planning & Infrastructure Bill means for developers in England and Wales, with special guest Mark Harris from HBF Wales. We’re also looking back on our latest article, which explored how unspent S106 and CIL funds create opportunities to review, challenge and optimise legacy obligations, and why combining planning expertise with commercial insight is key to unlocking value. Plus, we are rounding off by showcasing one of our team's achievements.
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An aerial view of a Brookbanks construction site.

February 18, 2026

Brookbanks Webinar: De-risking Infrastructure Design

Earlier this month, we hosted a lunch-time webinar exploring how infrastructure design can be strengthened well before construction begins. Led by our Civil Engineering specialists Ryan Meade and Toby Crayden, the conversation focused on the practical steps that help to reduce uncertainty and make the transition from design to delivery smoother and more predictable. Their session looked at the real‑world challenges that commonly appear between early drawings and activity on site. Ryan and Toby shared their experience of how early awareness, clearer coordination and the right conversations at the right time can make a measurable difference to project outcomes.
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A row of red brick houses with blue sky and a field in front of them.

February 18, 2026

Two Years On: Billions Still Sitting in Unspent Developer Contributions and What That Means for Developers

Two years after the Home Builders Federation (HBF) first highlighted the scale of unspent developer contributions, more than £8 billion in S106 and CIL remains unused across England and Wales, with a significant portion dormant for over five years. For developers, it raises a critical question: if infrastructure isn’t being delivered, are these obligations still proportionate or commercially justified? This article explores why the issue persists and how reviewing triggers, outdated requirements and opportunities for modification or claw-back can turn S106 from a fixed liability into an actively managed commercial tool that protects viability and unlocks value.
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February 16, 2026

Podcast Episode #11: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, are EPDs the key?

Explore nutrient neutrality, EDPs, the Planning & Infrastructure Bill, legal timelines, mitigation challenges and how we help unlock housing delivery across England and Wales.
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A Brookbanks site plan of the Bourn Airfield development

February 14, 2026

Bourn Airfield: Delivering Commercial Certainty for a New Community in Cambridgeshire

At Brookbanks, we understand that large‑scale new settlements only succeed when commercial thinking, engineering insight and planning strategy are fully aligned from the outset. On sites such as Bourn Airfield, the scale with challenging ground conditions, major infrastructure requirements, extensive SuDS networks and long‑term planning pathways, every technical decision has a financial, phasing and delivery implication. This article explores how our one integrated Brookbanks team managed those interdependencies across this large multi‑phase development, and how our cost & commercial specialists in particular helped maintain certainty on such a complex project.
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February 5, 2026

Making Education Projects Actually Deliverable

At Brookbanks, we’ve seen how education projects move more smoothly when constraints are treated as an interconnected system rather than a list of separate technical tasks. Early integrated due diligence, honest planning strategies, realistic phasing and programmes shaped around the school calendar all help reduce surprises and strengthen confidence. This article explores the recurring pinch points we see and the practical steps that lead to consents, programmes and budgets that genuinely withstand the demands on this sectors projects.
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An aerial view of houses surrounding a road featuring a roundabout

February 3, 2026

Podcast Episode #10: The Highways Technical Approval Process

Explore our expert insights into the Highways Technical Approval process, including S278 and S38 approvals, common challenges, timelines, and how we help streamline safe, compliant and efficient delivery.
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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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January 28, 2026

Brookbanks CPDs: Expert Insights for 2026

Explore our new programme of 30+ CPDs, sharing practical insight across planning, design and delivery in sectors from education and healthcare to infrastructure and residential. Hosted by our specialists and shaped by real project challenges, sessions are available online or in person for teams of any size. Contact Owen Smith to book your CPD.
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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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