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

Oldham town centre regeneration has taken a major step forward, with planning consent now granted for all six sites earmarked for transformation through the partnership between Muse and Oldham Council. The approval represents a significant milestone in the long-term vision to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable town centre that respects Oldham’s heritage while addressing the evolving needs of its communities. The plans will see the development of up to 1,619 high-quality, energy-efficient new homes across the six sites. The housing mix will include one to three-bedroom apartments catering to families, older people, and young professionals, with a strong emphasis on social and affordable housing to ensure accessibility for local residents. “This is a huge moment for Oldham and a proud one for the whole team at Muse. We’ve worked closely with Oldham Council, local stakeholders and the community to shape proposals that deliver lasting value – not just new homes, but new energy for the town centre. We’re excited to move forward and bring these plans to life, starting later this year with Prince’s Gate,” said Alex Vogel, Senior Development Manager. As part of the wider regeneration effort, several underused and derelict areas will be brought back into productive use, supporting local businesses and helping to create a cleaner, greener future for Oldham. The project follows extensive public consultation held earlier this year, with hundreds of residents contributing feedback that helped shape the final proposals to reflect local priorities. With planning approvals now in place, site investigation work at the Civic Centre has been completed. Construction will begin at Prince’s Gate later this autumn, followed by work at the former Magistrates’ Court before the end of the year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Kirklees Council has announced that the West Yorkshire Archive Service (WYAS) will be moving into a new, purpose-built home within Huddersfield’s flagship library hub, part of the Our Cultural Heart regeneration scheme. The move marks a major milestone in the preservation and accessibility of the borough’s historical records, with the new archive facility set to house more than 20,000 boxes of documents dating back to the 12th century. To prepare for the transition, the current WYAS Kirklees office on Victoria Lane will close at the end of July 2025. Following the closure, specialist staff will begin the process of packaging, labelling, and barcoding the archives to ensure their safe relocation. The archive’s new home will form part of Phase One of the £210 million regeneration project, which is transforming the former Queensgate Market site into a vibrant cultural and social destination. The development will include a new food hall, library hub, and public square, with practical completion anticipated by spring 2026 and a full public opening expected in summer 2026. While the food hall will occupy the refurbished listed market building, the library hub will be located in a modern adjoining extension. Designed to serve a wide range of community needs, the new library hub will include group meeting rooms, quiet breakout areas, a children’s zone, a maker space, digital access points, and now a dedicated WYAS ‘history hub’. The new archive facility will be environmentally controlled to ensure the long-term preservation of the borough’s irreplaceable collections. The improved layout and public research areas are also expected to significantly enhance access for residents, researchers, and students alike. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said, “The relocation of the Huddersfield branch of the West Yorkshire Archive Service to Our Cultural Heart is a great way to connect Kirklees’ past and future. These archives tell the story of the region and deserve to be preserved and celebrated in the best possible setting, right in the heart of Huddersfield town centre. “We’re really excited about the new library hub – it’s far more than just access to books. With vibrant, welcoming spaces for children and families to spend time, areas for meetings and collaboration, quiet zones for working, opportunities to explore local history, and fun creative spaces, it will reflect what residents want from a modern library. “Together, the new archive and library hub, alongside the food hall and adjoining public square, will form a cultural and social centre that gives people more reasons to visit Huddersfield town centre and spend more time here – ultimately helping to support our local businesses too.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Government’s £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme signals a long-term approach to tackling the housing crisis. However, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) warns that, without sufficient planning capacity and access to specialist training, the delivery of sustainable, community-focused places remains at risk. Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “The Government has shown a serious commitment to addressing the housing crisis with long-term investment to deliver the homes communities across the UK urgently need. However, planning must be recognised not only as a key policy lever but also as a profession that requires sustained investment to help achieve these commitments. “While the overall increase in local authority core spending power is welcome, it does not guarantee the funding needed for planning services. Targeted investment in planning teams is essential to meet growing demand and deliver on national priorities. “We support the strong focus on education and training, but the key issues around resourcing are only exacerbated by the restriction of funding for Level 7 Apprenticeships to those aged 16 – 21. This will result in the loss of up to 200 future planners a year from RTPI-accredited universities. “With the profession already facing severe skills shortages, it is vital that access to advanced and specialist training, including postgraduate routes, remains open to both new entrants and those looking to upskill.” The RTPI also highlighted the importance of ensuring funding settlements for devolved governments translate into meaningful investment in planning, particularly in areas like Scotland and Wales where local authority capacity is under severe strain. The Institute welcomes the significant investment in public service delivery in Northern Ireland. But notes that infrastructure investment across the nations must also be matched by planning resource if delivery goals are to be achieved. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Prime Minister has announced a new AI-powered tool, “Extract,” aimed at streamlining administrative processes within the planning system and supporting the delivery of 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament. Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “While AI tools can help alleviate the pressures of a planner’s day-to-day work, they must support, not replace, planners’ local discretion, expertise, and judgement in decision-making processes. “We welcome the use of AI to make admin tasks faster and more efficient, build sound and consistent evidence bases for Local Plans, and free up planners to focus their time and expertise where it is needed most. “Planning decisions require professional expertise to consider subjective, creative and complex considerations. Whilst AI tools no doubt have a helpful part to play, they can be no substitute for professional advice, common sense and emotional intelligence. There’s no value in processing applications more quickly if the developments that follow are low-quality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals