Our Monthly Newsletter: Summer Reflection

As summer draws to a close, Brookbanks is taking a moment to reflect on the past few months of progress, innovation, and transformation across the development and infrastructure sectors. With new policy shifts and industry reviews shaping the landscape, we’re also looking forward to the opportunities ahead and how we can help our clients stay ahead of the curve.

Introducing our Brookbanks Podcast

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Brookbanks Podcast, a new platform where our experts share insights on the latest industry developments and practical strategies for navigating change.

In our debut episode, Ben Wakeling (Commercial Director) and Jack Lynch (Planning Manager) unpack the recent updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). They explore:

What’s changed in the NPPF
The motivations behind the reforms
Implications for developers, local authorities, and infrastructure projects

Whether you prefer to watch, read, or listen on the go, the Brookbanks Podcast is your go-to resource for staying informed and prepared. Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel or read the accompanying blog on our website.

Spotlight on the Cunliffe Review: Transforming the Water Sector

In July, the Government’s Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, released its long-awaited review of the UK water sector. With 88 recommendations for reform, the report marks a pivotal moment for developers and infrastructure planners.

Key changes include:

Mandatory engagement with water companies
New statutory requirements for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
A re-evaluation of the ‘right to connect’

These reforms will directly impact planning applications, project timelines, and long-term infrastructure strategies. At Brookbanks, we’re already working with clients to interpret the findings and adapt their plans to remain compliant, mitigate risks, and unlock new opportunities.

You can read our full breakdown of the recommendations and our strategic advice in our blog

Future-Proofing Your Projects

Now is the time to review your development strategies and ensure your projects are resilient to upcoming changes. Our team is here to help you:

Assess how policy changes could affect your current or future schemes
Develop integrated strategies for water, utilities, and infrastructure delivery
Prepare early-stage planning approaches to keep projects compliant and on track

Partnering for Success

The development landscape is evolving rapidly, but with the right preparation and expert guidance, change can be a catalyst for growth. At Brookbanks, we’re committed to providing the insights, strategy, and support you need to navigate these shifts successfully.

If you’d like to explore how our team can support your projects, visit our website or reach out directly to Rachel Appleby, Group Business Director, at rachel.appleby@brookbanks.com.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to working with you through the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Check out our services....

Civil Engineering Group

Our dedicated Civil Engineering and Infrastructure teams are trusted designers and deliverers of major developments including new towns, major urban extens...

Cost & Commercial Group

Infrastructure/Abnormal/Site-Wide Cost Planning. We have vast experience in structuring, maintaining and managing budgets of hundreds of million pounds, en...

Development Management Group

We are one of the UK's leading partners to blue chip developers, funders and land promoters. From securing planning consents for major house building schem...

Land, Development and Communities Group

Our Land, Development and Communities Group (LDC) has built an enviable reputation across our industry as leading providers of a variety of services with t...

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Group

Our Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Group has a renowned team of award-winning, energy-centric building services specialists. We are a creative te...

Our work on the Development Cycle

Our services are available for specific stages of a project or for a projects' entire lifecycle – it all comes down to what you need and when. We are adapt...

Structural Engineering Group

Our Structural Engineering Group can trace its origins back to its formation in 1984. From the outset it quickly gained a reputation for producing practica...

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three electric vehicle chargers attached to a red brick wall in an outside car park

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

February 25, 2026

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.

A street of Brookbanks residential houses

Our February 2026 Newsletter

February 23, 2026

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.

An aerial view of a Brookbanks construction site.

Brookbanks Webinar: De-risking Infrastructure Design

February 18, 2026

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.