The Government has announced several major amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which further streamline the planning process. They include reducing the length of consultation, stripping uncooperative councils of the right to make certain decisions, and paring back the impact and ability to raise legal disputes. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders said: “Planning reform was never going to be a quick endeavour because our sclerotic, siloed system needs careful analysis to unpick and understand. The Government should be commended on recognising this and taking a proactive approach to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill because it will be an integral piece of legislation in ensuring all projects can be delivered more quickly.” Proposed amendments to Planning and Infrastructure Bill, include: The Bill, announced as part of the King’s Speech in July 2024, is designed to fast-track major infrastructure projects deemed to be of national significance, make grid connections and pylon construction easier, and give greater compulsory purchase and planning fee setting power to local authorities. The Government believes these new tweaks will remove barriers to their plans for economic growth and fulfil their 1.5 million homes target by the end of the Parliament. Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight at the National Federation of Builders said: “Tweaks to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will help deliver the water and grid capacity that projects require to get planning permission. They will stop councils finding loopholes to avoid building homes. This is a clear indication that the Government understands that ‘Build, baby, build’ is a mantra, not a slogan.” The 11th-hour rewrite to the Bill was demanded by the Prime Minister, with ministers working over the weekend on drafting the amendments. The amendments, while backed by the Government, need to be approved by Parliament in a vote on Monday 20 October 2025. Once the Bill is approved by the House of Lords, it will go back to the Commons. Ministers hope it will become law by early November 2025, meaning that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will be able to consider the economic benefits that will come from it in time for the Autumn Budget. The amendments are laid out here. The Government’s press release is available here.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A £33.5 million expansion of film and television production facilities in Hartlepool has been approved, marking the start of a transformative development set to create over 130 new jobs and drive significant investment into the local economy. The project will see The Northern Studios expand with larger studios and state-of-the-art equipment, alongside the creation of a Screen Industries Production Village. The new village will repurpose nine disused buildings into modern pre- and post-production spaces, workshops, and collaborative hubs for creative professionals. Among the heritage properties to be revitalised is the Grade II-listed Shades Hotel, which will be restored as part of the scheme. Led by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and North East Screen, the development has secured funding from the UK Government and the Tees Valley Investment Zone. It is being delivered with support from industry specialists Leonard Design, Stace, and TIME + SPACE. The Northern Studios, which opened in 2022, have already hosted productions including ITV’s I Fought the Law, comedy series Transaction, and the feature film Jackdaw. The expansion aims to build on this success, attracting both national and international productions to the Tees Valley. With planning approvals now granted and funding in place, construction is expected to begin in the coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a major new housing development in Kings Langley have been given the green light, with 150 homes set to be built on the edge of the Hertfordshire village. Dacorum Borough Council has approved outline planning permission for the scheme, put forward by The Hill Group, which will create a new neighbourhood between Kings Langley Secondary School and the A41. The development will deliver a mix of one- to five-bedroom properties, with half designated as affordable housing. Developers say the range of homes is designed to cater for all stages of life, from first-time buyers to families and older residents, helping to address local housing needs. The site, north of Chipperfield Road, has been classed as “Grey Belt” land — an area within the Green Belt but judged to make only a limited contribution to its purposes. Plans outline a landscape-led scheme with extensive green and community spaces. Features will include woodland walks, meadows, ponds, play areas, and a community orchard, alongside new walking and cycling routes planted with edible hedges. The scheme promises a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%, with existing trees and hedgerows retained wherever possible. At the heart of the project will be The Farmstead, a new education and community hub. It will provide growing spaces, therapy gardens, and animal-assisted activities, as well as a café and farm shop offering training and employment opportunities. The facility is being developed in partnership with Kings Langley Secondary School and Sunnyside Rural Trust, a local charity supporting adults with learning disabilities. The homes will be built to high sustainability standards, using energy-efficient designs, air-source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging points. The company highlights the site’s location close to schools, existing housing, and transport links as key advantages. Construction is expected to begin following detailed planning approvals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major regeneration scheme that will transform Orchard Wharf on the north bank of the River Thames has been approved by Tower Hamlets Council. The plans, agreed at a council meeting on 3 September, will redevelop the safeguarded wharf into a new neighbourhood providing hundreds of affordable homes, purpose-built student accommodation, and the reintroduction of waterborne freight operations. The masterplan sets out seven buildings ranging from 8 to 24 storeys, with a mix of uses including: Seventy per cent of the affordable homes will be delivered at Tower Hamlets and Mayor of London Affordable Rent levels. The housing mix includes 65 family-sized units and 21 wheelchair-accessible dwellings. All homes will meet or exceed minimum space standards and provide private outdoor space, podium gardens, and views over the Thames and East India Dock Basin. At ground level, a flexible Wharf Box logistics facility will support the sustainable movement of goods by river. This will enable last-mile deliveries by low-emission vehicles in line with the London Plan’s commitment to low-carbon freight. The scheme will also operate on a car-free basis. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wiltshire Council has formally granted planning permission for up to 2,500 new homes at Ashton Park, south-east of Trowbridge. The Council’s Strategic Planning Committee resolved to approve the outline plans on 29 July, following the completion of legal agreements with developers Persimmon Homes and Barratt Redrow. The housebuilders will now bring forward detailed proposals covering design, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin early next year, subject to approval. The development represents one of the largest housing schemes in the county and will deliver significant investment in local infrastructure. Developers have committed £25.6 million in capital contributions, including £14.1 million for education, £3.3 million for healthcare, and £1.1 million to improve bus services. A further £7.5 million will be raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy to support local projects, with a share distributed to parish and town councils. A key feature of the plans is a £36.5 million relief road, including a new section of the A350 to bypass the congested West Ashton crossroads. The long-term vision for Ashton Park also includes new schools, early years facilities, local centres, and an ecology visitor centre. Around 13.6 hectares of land will be set aside for employment use, designed to support economic growth in Trowbridge and the wider county. Housing provision is also central to the scheme. Alongside 27% of homes reserved for local housing association partners, £5.4 million has been ringfenced to deliver affordable housing off-site. The development is expected to help address the needs of the more than 4,000 households currently on Wiltshire’s housing waiting list. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Oxford United’s proposed 16,000-capacity stadium has moved a step closer to reality after Cherwell District Council granted planning permission for the project. The new venue, planned for land north of Oxford, is intended to provide the club with a permanent home and serve as a hub for the wider community. The decision was made at a council planning committee meeting, following speeches from Oxford United Chief Executive Officer Tim Williams and lifelong supporter Roland Clements, who both highlighted the scheme’s potential benefits. Jonathon Clarke, Development Director at Oxford United, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured planning approval. We’re now one step closer to delivering on our goal of creating a once-in-a-generation venue for supporters and the wider community. “Getting to this point wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible stadium project team. I’d also like to place on record my thanks to the Cherwell District Council planning officers for their constructive engagement throughout this process.” Club chairman Grant Ferguson described the approval as a “crucial step forward” in safeguarding Oxford United’s future. “With approval secured, our focus can now move to the next phase of the project plan. I’d like to thank Jonathon Clarke and our stadium project team for their unrelenting dedication and professionalism to enable us to reach this stage. “Thank you also to Cherwell District Council for approving our application, and to all stakeholders, consultees and everyone else who has supported our vision.” The planning application will now be referred to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for consideration before construction can begin. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans to redevelop a deteriorated stretch of shops and housing at 4–16 Filwood Broadway have been granted permission, marking a major milestone in the wider ‘Transforming Filwood Broadway’ regeneration project. The approved scheme will see the demolition and rebuild of the site to deliver 18 new council homes, modern commercial units, community space, and a communal garden for residents. The development is designed by architects RCKa, drawing inspiration from the architectural character and heritage of Filwood Broadway. All homes will be built to national space standards, ensuring good-sized, high-quality accommodation. The site falls within the area covered by the Knowle West Local Lettings Policy, meaning that 50% of the new affordable homes will be prioritised for people with a local connection. The decision to rebuild rather than retrofit follows a thorough sustainability review, which concluded that new construction would provide better long-term energy efficiency and lower running costs for residents while balancing overall carbon impact. As part of the project’s community-led approach, the design of the retail units incorporated ideas developed with students from E-ACT Merchants’ Academy and Bedminster Down School. A new commercial lettings process is also being shaped with input from the Filwood Broadway High Street Working Group. Enabling works at 4–16 Filwood Broadway are scheduled to begin in late August 2025, with construction expected to start in spring 2026. This scheme is one element of the broader Transforming Filwood Broadway initiative, which includes: The regeneration programme aims to revitalise Filwood Broadway into a vibrant hub for housing, retail, and community life, while delivering affordable homes for South Bristol. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Heathrow Airport has submitted its proposals for a third runway, promising to deliver a 100% privately funded expansion that could be operational within a decade. The plan, which Heathrow describes as “shovel-ready”, aims to support the UK’s economic growth and secure its position as a leading global aviation hub. The expansion would increase flight capacity by 50%, enabling up to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers annually. It includes the construction of a 3,500-metre north-western runway, already backed by Parliament, a new terminal dubbed T5X, three satellite terminals, and significant upgrades to Terminal 2, while Terminal 3 would eventually be decommissioned. The proposed £48 billion investment is split across three major areas: £21 billion for runway and airfield infrastructure, £12 billion for new terminal and stand capacity, and £15 billion for modernising existing terminals. Heathrow says this investment would be fully funded by private capital, contingent on government policy support and a regulatory framework that encourages growth while keeping passenger charges affordable. Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye called on the Government to act swiftly, said: “It has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow. We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity. With the right policy support and regulatory model, we are ready to mobilise this year.” According to Heathrow, the third runway could boost the UK’s GDP by 0.43%, and enhance the airport’s role as Britain’s most valuable trading port, already facilitating over £200 billion in trade annually. It would also unlock tens of thousands of jobs across design, construction, and operations, with 60% of the supply chain spend going to businesses outside London and the South East. Heathrow also reaffirmed its environmental commitments, promising to reach net zero by 2050. The airport has already reduced ground carbon emissions by 15% and flight-related emissions by around 10% since 2019. Its expansion plan includes increased use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), further carbon-cutting measures, and improved noise and air quality standards. The airport’s noise footprint has shrunk by 41% since 2006, and all surrounding air quality monitors are reportedly within legal limits. A redesigned airspace under the new expansion would provide more reliable and predictable flight paths for communities. An expanded Heathrow would offer at least 30 new daily routes, improved domestic connectivity, and more flight options to key global destinations. The new infrastructure is expected to ease congestion, reduce delays, and offer passengers more competitive fares through greater airline choice. Plans also include upgrades to public transport, such as enhanced rail access, cycling and walking routes, and improved road links. Heathrow is proposing a new tunnel and two dedicated parkways, alongside enhancements to what is already the UK’s busiest bus and coach station. Heathrow is seeking government feedback by September to meet the current expansion timeline. If supported, the airport plans to begin formal consultation with airlines, communities, local authorities, and stakeholders in 2026, with a planning application scheduled for 2028. The expansion is backed by national and regional Chambers of Commerce, trade unions, educators, and construction firms, who see it as a transformative opportunity for both economic and employment growth across the UK. Without expansion, Heathrow warns, the UK risks falling behind international competitors, such as Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, all of which have room to grow. Currently, Heathrow connects UK exporters to 92% of the global economy via direct flights. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals