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This month, we explored more of the key themes that have been shaping the development sector in recent weeks, from unlocking grid capacity and navigating infrastructure constraints through to improving structural efficiency and long-term project viability. In this month’s newsletter, take a look back at our latest webinar, where we were joined by Ed Hurford from the Local Energy Markets Alliance to discuss how smarter, more coordinated energy approaches could help bring forward development for constrained sites. This month’s podcasts also shared more practical insights: episode one focused on the relationship between upfront costs and long-term value in project delivery, while episode two explored the role of transfer slabs and how early design decisions can drive more efficient structural outcomes. Plus, our latest thought leadership article highlighted why land strategies should be reviewed regularly to stay aligned with changing policy, infrastructure and market conditions. And finally, if you missed our exciting news, read more about our new partnership with CBPE Capital and what it means for Brookbanks’ continued growth.

The importance of reviewing land strategies:

With planning policy, infrastructure provision and viability pressures constantly evolving, keeping land strategies under regular review is becoming increasingly important to maintain momentum and certainty across developments.

In our latest article, we explore how a structured six-month review cycle can help landowners, promoters and developers stay ahead of change. From responding to shifting local authority priorities and utility constraints through to refining delivery strategy at key transition points, a proactive approach can help reduce risk, protect value and unlock opportunities as developments progress.

Read The Full Article

Webniar: Unlocking Grid Capacity

This month, our lunchtime webinar was hosted by our Head of Utilities, Mat Capper, who was joined by special guest Ed Hurford from the Local Energy Markets Alliance (LEMA) to explore how we can unlock grid capacity for developments.

With insights from both a utilities and industry perspective, they talked through:

  • The growing challenge of securing grid connections as demand increases and networks become more constrained
  • Why traditional reinforcement works can delay development and impact site viability
  • How smart local energy systems can help manage demand and unlock capacity across constrained networks
  • The role of collaborating and emerging market-based solutions in accelerating delivery

If you missed it, watch back now via our YouTube channel to learn more about the grid constraints being faced across the industry and how smarter energy approaches can support development delivery.

Catch-up on the Brookbanks podcast!

This month we released two new podcast episodes, this time covering key sreas of structural design and project delivery.

In episode one, Design of Transfer Slabs & Efficient Structures, Chris Vivian and Devi Varatharajan explored what transfer slabs are, the challenges they present, and how early-stage design coordination can help reduce the need for their use.  They also discussed key considerations around carbon, constructability, and the delivery of more efficient structural solutions.

During episode two, Lift Cycle & Upfront Costs, Ben Wakeling and Gerrad Mukuyu discussed how initial capital investment and long-term operational costs interact across a project’s lifespan.  They highlighted the importance of early decision-making, material and system selection, and whole-life thinking to reduce risk, improve financial performance and support more sustainable outcomes.

Catch up on all episodes of the Brookbanks Podcast via our YouTube channel for more expert insights across planning, engineering, development and infrastructure delivery.

Brookbanks Partners with CBPE

Earlier this month, we were excited to announce that we have brought in a growth investment from CBPE Capita, one of the UK’s leading mid-market private equity firms.

This is a key moment for all of us here at Brookbanks and one that we’re really proud of, as CBPE’s investment is recognition not just of our exceptional team but of the work we deliver for our clients and their communities across the UK. This is an investment in our future, our leadership team, our culture, and is a commitment to our clients that we will be here supporting them with the added ability to now do even more. With shared values, a belief in what we’re building, and a thorough understanding of what makes our company different, we are excited to partner with CBPE to enhance our growth journey. Read more about it here

To our clients, thank you for your continued support and the trust you place in us every day to work alongside you as your partner with you on your projects.

If you would like to find out more about our new partnership, please see our news article.  Alternatively, if you have any questions, please email Rachel Appleby, our Group Business Director, at rachel.appleby@brookbanks.com or reach out via LinkedIn.

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 Owen Smith, our Client Relationship Manager, an email and he will happily introduce you to any of our team.

Email: owen.smith@brookbanks.com

Sign up for our newsletter here

More News

Development Viability: An Increasing Area of Focus for SME Housebuilders

July 10, 2026

The development landscape continues to evolve. Planning policy, infrastructure requirements, utility capacity, environmental obligations and market conditions are all influencing how residential schemes are assessed, planned and delivered. Against this backdrop, the Home Builders Federation's latest SME Developer Sentiment Survey highlights development viability as an increasingly important area of focus for SME housebuilders. For a sector that plays a critical role in delivering much-needed housing across the UK, the findings provide a valuable snapshot of the factors influencing investment decisions, land acquisition strategies and project delivery.

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Transfer Slabs Under the Spotlight

June 19, 2026

Transfer slabs are a key component in complex structural design, and evolving regulatory expectations are strengthening how their performance is understood and demonstrated. This article shares our perspective on the Building Safety Regulator’s focus on transfer slabs, outlining what it means for new and existing buildings, and highlighting the value of clear, evidence-led design and proportionate engineering judgement.

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