The latest news from Brookbanks, February 2026

A street of Brookbanks residential houses

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.

Webinar: De-risking Infrastructure Design

Earlier in the month, during our lunchtime webinar, De‑risking Infrastructure Design, Ryan Meade and Toby Crayden talked through how to close the gap between design and construction to keep projects moving.

They shared practical tips and live‑project insights on:

Gap analysis to spot delivery risk early
Real site visits and what desktop reviews miss
Early stakeholder engagement to cut late friction
Contractor support during design, not just at handover
Pre‑start drawing reviews that actually reduced rework
Sensible, proportionate RFIs that kept decisions flowing

If you missed it, you can watch it back now to see how to make infrastructure designs stand up once construction begins, so projects progress with greater confidence, fewer surprises, and clearer routes to delivery.

Watch back now

Brookbanks De-risking Infrastructure Design Webinar Cover Slide

Billions Sitting Unspent in Developer Contributions

Two years after the Home Builders Federation (HBF) first raised the alarm, more than £8bn in developer contributions are still sitting unspent with local authorities. For developers, that isn’t just a policy issue, it’s a commercial one.

Triggers that no longer align with real build programmes, duplicated obligations, outdated viability assumptions and overlooked claw-back provisions all mean many S106 agreements are carrying more cost and risk than they should.

In our latest article, Tori Hall and Ben Wakeling explore 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.

Read the full article

A Brookbanks site plan of the Bourn Airfield development

February Podcasts by Brookbanks

Catch-up on this month’s podcast episodes!

Our first podcast episode of the month featured one of our highways specialists, Mark Baldwin, in conversation with host Ben Wakeling. They broke down the Highways Technical Approval process. Mark explained the common pitfalls around S278 and S38 approvals, why technical compliance is so important, how delays impact programmes and costs, and how developers can help streamline approvals by working proactively with local authorities.

The second episode explored nutrient neutrality with our specialist Dean Swann and special guest Mark Harris from the Home Builders Federation (HBF). They discussed why nutrient neutrality continues to shape planning decisions, how Environmental Delivery Plans could change the landscape, and what the Planning & Infrastructure Bill means for developers in England and Wales. They also share how we assess impacts, reduce nutrient loads, and support stalled schemes.

Watch the episodes back via our YouTube channel to learn more about how you could streamline your technical approval process or how changes to Environmental Delivery Plans could be impacting your future projects.

Brookbanks Achievements

Annabel Le Lohe achieves Associate Membership

We’re pleased to share that Annabel Le Lohé has recently achieved Associate Membership (AISEP) with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), a fantastic step that reflects her continued commitment to high‑quality environmental practice.

Our Environmental Impact Assessment specialists support a wide range of major UK developments, including large urban expansion schemes of 1,000+ homes, business parks, and significant physical and social infrastructure projects. Maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge and professional accreditation is an important part of ensuring the advice we provide remains robust, well‑informed and aligned with industry expectations.

Well done to Annabel on this achievement, and to all our specialists who continue to invest in their development alongside busy project workloads. If you’d like to talk more about planning or EIA matters, Annabel is always happy to connect on LinkedIn or via email.

Meet Annabel Le Lohe

Associate Director

Annabel Le Lohé

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Let’s Have a Catch-up

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

We work across the UK and are always happy to connect, either in person or online, to chat about industry challenges, policy updates, or how we can help with a project.

Drop Rachel Appleby, our Group Business Director, an email and she will happily introduce you to any of our team.

Email: rachel.appleby@brookbanks.com

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

Podcast #18: Design of Transfer slabs and efficient structures

June 2, 2026

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.

Group of students and teacher walking in a school courtyard with modern architecture and playground.

Delivering Education Infrastructure: Direct Delivery or Section 106 Contributions?

May 22, 2026

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.

Aerial view of various vehicles driving on asphalt road near typical residential houses in suburban district on sunny day

Podcast Episode #17: Moving Places, Managing Noise

May 20, 2026

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.

Our February 2026 Newsletter