Yondr Group has secured plans for a third building on its London campus in Slough. Located on the site of a former paint factory, the new data centre will follow the first facility which was completed in July and the second currently under construction. It will be part of Yondr’s proposed 100+MW capacity campus, continuing to position the West London location as one of the most prominent data centre hubs in Europe, with Yondr as a key player in that market. Yondr has worked collaboratively with Slough Borough Council and the Canal & River Trust to develop a design for the building that enhances the canal bank and biodiversity, improving both views and access for local residents. Despite limitations, Yondr was able to install a green wall on the facade, placing it on an independent structure. The green wall will face out towards the canal and provide visual and acoustic shielding, as well as enhancing biodiversity on the site. The design also includes additional landscaping beyond the border of the data centre site, with trees and shrubs selected to be sympathetic to local plant species and wildlife. Residents will benefit from a new walking and cycle route, creating a convenient cut-through that will shorten journeys and encourage active travel. Energy efficiency also lies at the heart of the design for Yondr’s BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rated data centre facility, in line with the company’s sustainability strategy and 2030 target for Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality. Solar panels will be installed on the building’s roof and the facility will boast industry-leading power utilisation efficiency (PUE). Carl Fisher, Design Director EMEA from Yondr commented: “With the design for the third building on our London campus we have taken learnings from the previous two buildings and considered challenges to develop an exceptional data centre design that will set the standard for environmental best practice in the data centre sector. “The design that has been approved will enhance the canal-side walks, protect the canal, and enhance both vistas and pedestrian/cycle access for local residents, while increasing data capacity with an energy-efficient and resilient data centre asset. “With this project, we are proving that data centre performance, environmental responsibility, aesthetics and sensitivity to local residents can all be factored into progressive data centre design, and we’re looking forward to delivering on every one of those objectives as this project advances.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The government has announced an overhaul of the planning system, proposing local planning authority resources be put on a sustainable footing, local plans for every area, mandatory housing targets for councils, and reviews of green belt land. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said the consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which opened today, has the potential to rebuild trust in the planning system. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of RTPI said: “The proposed changes to our planning system outlined today have the potential to rebuild trust in our planning system. We believe that the government’s goals for housing, energy, and transport can be accomplished through collaboration with planners in both the public and private sectors. “It is particularly encouraging to see the government placing a much-needed emphasis on strategic planning, which can help deliver more coherent – not piecemeal – urban expansions by integrating new housing with transportation, energy, and public services. “The RTPI will begin consulting our members widely across England immediately to guide our response to the government on these and other important reforms.”

Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), states national renewal of the planning system could have a significant impact on the planning profession and the UK economy. ​A recent report by Public First, commissioned by the RTPI, revealed that investing in planning could unlock £70 billion in additional value for communities and the UK economy. ​Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “The Chancellor has wasted no time in preparing plans that will have a positive impact on the planning profession and the UK’s economy. Her goals highlight the role of our planning system in boosting the UK economy, and mark a clear shift in the government’s understanding of what our system can provide. Our members should be under no illusion that this will put a focus on delivery across the planning system. ​“However, our members in local authorities are overworked and understaffed, and have faced years of severe strain. Economic success will therefore require proactive planning and an investment into our planning system.” ​On local plans and green belt: ​“It is promising to see the government begin its parliamentary term with policy changes keenly fought for by the RTPI, including universal coverage of local plans, and reviews of greenbelt boundaries. These changes will be essential for rebuilding trust and coordination in our planning system and for ensuring that new developments are done with local communities, rather than to them.”​ On reforming the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF): ​”The Chancellor outlined plans to reform the NPPF and restore mandatory housing targets. Our members have been clear that recent changes to the NPPF have left many councils, especially those with significant land constraints, with few incentives to deliver on existing housing targets. “Locally-determined housing targets that are well evidenced and aligned to a plan-led ‘vision’ can play a constructive role in planning for housing. However they must come with adequate investment in the infrastructure and planning services required to support them.” On onshore wind: ​“The minister has wasted no time in pushing forward reforms to the NPPF that the RTPI has long called for, including ending the ban on onshore wind and committing to consult on it’s return to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime. ​On the appointment of Matthew Pennycook as Housing Minister: ​ “We will now work closely with Mr Pennycook to support the government’s ambitions by unlocking the power of the planning system. Throughout his time in opposition, the minister demonstrated a clear understanding of the value of planning, playing a positive role during the Levelling Up and Regenerations Act’s passage through parliament, and championing many of the amendments supported by the RTPI.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has written an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, emphasising the potential value to the UK economy that could be lost without investments into planning, and outlined the importance of planning to kickstart economic growth and address the UK’s housing crisis. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “The Labour Party has made the UK’s housing crisis a top priority during their campaign and has shown a strong understanding of the importance of planning. This change in government presents a unique opportunity for planners to demonstrate their value to the economy. ​“I have written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss how planning can be a part of the solution, rather than the problem. I’ve outlined clear steps his government can take to help implement planning reforms that will help to ‘Get Britain Building’ quickly. This includes fast progress to restore funding for planning services, kick-starting stalled local plans, and ensuring the involvement of strategic direction at a mayoral level from day one. ​”We enlisted the services of economic experts at Public First to demonstrate the economic impact of well-resourced, proactive planning. Our letter outlines their findings, demonstrating how our profession has the potential to kickstart economic growth and generate over £70 billion in additional value over the next 10 years. This would be achieved by stimulating local economic activity and creating well-planned communities where people can thrive. ​ “We are at the beginning of Sir Keir Starmer’s first 100 days in government, and there is significant work ahead to address the key issues facing Britain today. Starmer’s party has emphasised the need for swift action on planning reform and the revision of the national planning policy framework. They will need to collaborate with planners to achieve their ambitions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals