The Government’s plan to make it easier to build on green belt is likely to have limited impact on North East housebuilding in the short term. Under changes introduced by Labour shortly after the election, lower quality green belt land will be designated so called ‘grey belt’ and released for
The UK Government has introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025, aiming to accelerate the delivery of new homes and key infrastructure projects. Published on 11 March 2025, with a second reading set for 12 March, the Bill reflects the Government’s commitment to streamlining planning processes to meet its ambitious
A scheme that includes a new 3 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) electric arc furnace at Port Talbot steelworks has gained planning consent following a detailed planning process, including environmental impact assessments (EIA). In September 2023, the UK government and Tata Steel UK Limited (Tata Steel) announced a £1.25 billion
Planning permission has been granted for a new Sand Sports Centre at Hove Beach Park, following a decision by councillors at the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, 5 March. The proposal, submitted by Yellowave Brighton, includes the development of three sand courts for beach volleyball, beach tennis and footvolley, as
Newcastle City Council planners have approved crucial enabling works that will unlock a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle. With One Public Estate brownfield funding already secured for the site, the unanimous decision today (March 7) now allows for the first phase of clearance and remediation within
Birmingham City Council has submitted a planning application to regenerate Druids Heath, proposing the construction of approximately 3,500 new energy-efficient homes. The development will also include enhanced green spaces, improved infrastructure, and revitalised commercial and community areas. A key focus of the project is the provision of affordable housing, with
Developers are facing construction delays of more than 18 months and additional costs of up to £49,000 per week due to safety regulations such as the Building Safety Act (BSA), according to new data from the Purposeful Finance Commission (PFC). A report published today by the PFC highlights how the
Plans for a cutting-edge new Extra Care scheme in South Shields have been submitted for approval. The much-needed specialist accommodation, developed and managed by housing association Karbon Homes in partnership with South Tyneside Council, would consist of 124 one and two-bed apartments, designed to help people with differing levels of
Persimmon Homes Wessex has submitted an outline planning application for the construction of up to 624 new homes in the Grove and Wantage area, further expanding its Wellington Gate development. The proposed development, located to the north-west of Grove, will be adjacent to the existing Wellington Gate site. In addition
By Robert Oates, CEO of leading UK ecology consultancy, Arbtech Having spent the last few weeks providing responses to the Government’s Planning Reform working paper ‘Development and Nature Recovery’ both in writing and in person at the House of Lords, one opportunity we keep pressing is the need for greater
The Government’s plan to make it easier to build on green belt is likely to have limited impact on North East housebuilding in the short term. Under changes introduced by Labour shortly after the election, lower quality green belt land will be designated so called ‘grey belt’ and released for construction as the Government seeks to build 1.5 million homes by 2029 to help tackle the chronic housing shortage. A creation of the current Labour Government, grey belt is defined as land which makes a ‘limited contribution’ to green belt objectives. This may include land that contains substantial built development or is enclosed by built form, does little to prevent the coalescence of settlements, is dominated by urban land uses, or does not protect a historic setting. The aim is to deliver more opportunities for development in rural areas and should open the door for residential, commercial and tourism development within the green belt that would otherwise have been prevented. However, the grey belt plan in its current format will have limited impact on housebuilding in the North East in the short term. This is due in part to the fact that most regional councils have a 5-year housing land supply or are already meeting their housing delivery test, which is one of the requirements for grey belt. There are one or two exceptions such as South Tyneside and Gateshead but on the whole the picture is fairly similar region-wide. While it was initially felt that the grey belt policy could make a positive contribution to meeting sustainable housing long term, now that detailed guidance has been published it is not quite as golden as hoped. Planning experts now consider that the subsequent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other parts of planning policy mean any impact is at best likely to be marginal in the short term. You can argue that the policy is not fit for purpose, with the changes to the NPPF making the concept of grey belt land largely redundant with land more likely be released from the green belt through existing channels instead. Those changes include a new requirement for councils to review green belt boundaries and propose changes if they cannot meet demand for housing or commercial land through other means. Tracking the effectiveness of grey belt policy amid uncertainty about the number of homes that could be built on such land is also difficult – media reports estimate ranges from 50,000 to four million, which suggests that the potential impact of the policy had not been adequately assessed before it was announced. In addition, housing within the grey belt will have to deliver a greater proportion of affordable housing than sites outside the green belt. Originally, one of the ‘golden rules’ linked to grey belt development was that 50% of the housing must be affordable. While this provision has been watered down to be 15% above the local authority’s policy position, and capped at 50% and subject to viability, the combination of more affordable housing and better household incomes will undoubtedly see positive outcomes as we push for growth. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. A properly thought through and executed grey belt policy could deliver more opportunities in rural North East areas, opening the door for residential, commercial and tourism development within the green belt that would otherwise have been prevented. Growth can be unlocked; new opportunities created. With the roll out of new superfast digital services in rural communities, increased flexible working practices with more people working online, and planning approvals in all the right places, the commercial opportunities for development within the grey belt could be highly significant with new jobs strengthening the rural economy and boosting household incomes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK Government has introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025, aiming to accelerate the delivery of new homes and key infrastructure projects. Published on 11 March 2025, with a second reading set for 12 March, the Bill reflects the Government’s commitment to streamlining planning processes to meet its ambitious targets, including the construction of 1.5 million homes and the fast-tracking of 150 major infrastructure projects. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) intends for the Bill to simplify decision-making, ease planning bottlenecks, and drive forward the ‘Clean Power 2030 Action Plan’. While the proposals signal a positive shift, challenges remain, particularly around under-resourced local planning teams and the complexities of project delivery. Key Changes in the Bill Major Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)The Bill builds on the Planning Act 2008, introducing measures to improve planning processes for critical infrastructure. National Policy Statements (NPSs) will require updates every five years, and Development Consent Orders (DCOs) will undergo streamlined pre-application consultations. The judicial review process will also be tightened, eliminating appeals for cases deemed without merit. Rob Asquith, Head of National Infrastructure Planning at Savills, noted: “Streamlining consultation will reduce complexity and cost, while updating National Policy Statements will provide better clarity. Achieving the acceleration in infrastructure and housing delivery is a long-term objective.” Planning Decisions and Local Authority ReformsA national scheme of delegation will ensure that small-scale planning applications and those aligned with local plans are determined by planning officers, rather than committees. Committee sizes will also be controlled to improve decision-making efficiency. Mandatory training will be introduced for planning committee members and mayors, ensuring decisions align with Government objectives. Additionally, local authorities will be empowered to set their own planning fees, with revenues reinvested into the planning system. However, given ongoing recruitment challenges, this measure is unlikely to be a quick fix for resource shortages. Strategic Planning and Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs)The Bill reintroduces strategic planning at a broader scale, mandating combined authorities, upper-tier county councils, and unitary authorities to produce a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). These strategies will address infrastructure and housing distribution but will not allocate specific development sites. The role of Local Plans remains central, though there is uncertainty over how they should progress while SDSs are in development. Nature Recovery and Environmental ConsiderationsA new Nature Restoration Fund will be established to support environmental projects through pooled contributions. The Bill introduces Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), overseen by Natural England, which will set levy rates for developers to fund conservation initiatives. Developers making levy payments will see certain environmental impact obligations streamlined under the Habitats Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Natural England will also gain Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers to acquire land for conservation. Development Corporations and Compulsory Purchase OrdersWhile development corporations will retain their role in regeneration and new town development, the Bill does not introduce additional planning powers. The proposed changes mainly address land assembly for infrastructure planning and transport functions. The Bill also seeks to improve the CPO process, enabling public sector-led schemes to acquire land more efficiently. Changes include allowing statutory notices to be issued electronically, simplifying information in public notices, and streamlining compensation assessments. The Government will also extend powers to limit ‘hope value’ in land acquisitions, particularly for affordable housing projects. Energy Infrastructure and Grid EnhancementsA key focus of the Bill is expediting clean energy projects to support the Clean Power 2030 targets. A ‘first ready, first connected’ system will prioritise grid connections for renewable energy developments, ensuring projects progress without unnecessary delays. Developers will be required to provide community benefits, including funding for local sports clubs and educational initiatives. A new compensation scheme will see communities receive £200,000 per kilometre of overhead electricity cable and £530,000 per substation, with some projects generating millions in local investment. Residents living within 500 metres of new electricity pylons will be eligible for up to £2,500 off their energy bills over ten years. Additionally, reforms will streamline the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Changes to Statutory ConsulteesThe Bill follows a Written Ministerial Statement on 10 March 2025, outlining plans to reduce the number of statutory consultees, including Sport England, the Gardens Trust, and the Theatres Trust. The scope and response timeframes for statutory consultees will also be reviewed to prevent unnecessary delays in planning decisions. Local authorities will be expected to limit statutory consultee involvement where appropriate, and national policy changes will take immediate effect to streamline decision-making. Looking AheadThe Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 introduces a suite of reforms aimed at accelerating the planning process and addressing long-standing inefficiencies. While the measures have been largely welcomed by industry experts, their effectiveness will depend on how they are implemented in practice. As the Bill progresses through Parliament, further clarity will be needed on several key areas, including funding allocations, Local Plan transitions, and the practicalities of new planning fees. However, if delivered effectively, these reforms could mark a significant step towards meeting the UK’s housing and infrastructure goals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A scheme that includes a new 3 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) electric arc furnace at Port Talbot steelworks has gained planning consent following a detailed planning process, including environmental impact assessments (EIA). In September 2023, the UK government and Tata Steel UK Limited (Tata Steel) announced a £1.25 billion joint investment in the development of electric arc furnace-based steelmaking at Port Talbot to replace the coal-fired blast furnaces that have been in operation for more than 50 years. The proposals reflect Tata Steel’s long-term commitment to the production of ‘green’, low-carbon steel at Port Talbot, securing the future of steelmaking in the region and making a significant contribution to the achievement of ambitious Welsh and UK government net zero policies. Data provided in the environmental statement (RSK, 2024) indicate that greenhouse gas emissions avoided with the electric arc furnace compared with the continuation of traditional steelmaking methods are equivalent to nearly 2% of UK and 23% of Wales emissions (2027 equivalent). RSK Environment Director Rob Edwards, who led the EIA process, said: “Environmental impact assessments are required to support planning applications for major infrastructure projects, ensuring that local councils, communities and consultees understand possible environmental impacts and proposed measures to mitigate these before approving the plans. RSK Environment has coordinated the EIA work as the environmental lead for Tata Steel, working closely with the Tata Steel team, planning consultant Turley, architects Lawray, and Temple Group and JBA Consulting, both of which contributed EIA technical chapters. “Approval of the planning application is the culmination of more than three years of work from the project team. At its peak, more than 20 specialists from across the business were working on-site at any one time – this has resulted in the submission of more than 250 documents in support of the application, highlighting the scale, complexity and level of detail involved in a planning application and EIA of this nature.” As part of the EIA, a wide range of information was gathered from site surveys and assessments covering matters such as ground conditions, habitats and species, traffic and noise levels, air emissions, views of the site and population and demographic data. Rob explained: “The EIA team was required to coordinate and present this huge volume of information in the form needed to support the planning application. This involved liaising extensively with Tata Steel, the wider planning team and the local council to identify where mitigation or amendments to the scheme were necessary to overcome identified environmental concerns.” RSK Group businesses involved in delivering the environmental assessments for the project included Stephenson Halliday (landscape and visual design), RSK Acoustics (noise and vibration), RSK Biocensus (biodiversity), RSK Geosciences (land, soil and groundwater), WRc (peat assessments), Headland Archaeology (cultural heritage), SCP (transport and access), EB7 (lighting assessment) and ADAS (tree surveys). CJ Associates, Ian Farmer Associates and RSK Ordnance Management supported the completion of the ground investigation. Rob added: “Because of the scale of the planning application boundary – well over 100 hectares – the area covered by the proposed development cannot readily be described as a single ‘site’. It includes land with a wide range of different characteristics, including agricultural land, brownfield land and the existing structures of the steelworks. The EIA needed to reflect this and describe the environmental effects across all parts of the site; these were not always the same across all areas. The relationship with the historic steelworks also added complexity, with the electric arc furnace proposals needing to be considered against the context of those activities and their associated environmental impacts. “In addition to the greenhouse gas savings, the project will also result in significant reductions of air emissions, as well as reduced road traffic and remediation of previously developed parts of the steelworks. RSK is proud to be associated with a project that delivers so many environmental benefits, while securing the future of steelmaking in Port Talbot and Wales”. The planning proposals allow for green infrastructure and re-landscaping of the surrounding site to deliver ‘biodiversity net benefit’ in line with Welsh national planning policy. This will involve a range of ecological enhancements and landscaping measures focused on the southern end of the site, which is generally the most visible to the public. This will include new areas of wetland, scrub and grassland. Rob said: “In advising Tata Steel on how it may address all environmental questions raised in the assessments, particular focus was given to biodiversity enhancements. This is reflective of the fact that the steelworks comprise a very large area of land with a wide range of opportunities for enhancement and linkage with other habitats in the local area, particularly the Margam Moors site of special scientific interest to the south”. Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK, said: “We are very pleased to have secured approval to build sustainable steelmaking facilities in Port Talbot. This £1.25 billion investment is the most significant investment made in the UK steel industry in decades. The facility will secure high-quality steel production, preserve thousands of jobs and safeguard steelmaking in Port Talbot for generations to come.” Natalie Young, Head of Legal – Property at Tata Steel UK, added: “You cannot overstate the importance of robust and credible EIAs in such complex submissions, and having the expertise of RSK was critical in the success of the application.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission has been granted for a new Sand Sports Centre at Hove Beach Park, following a decision by councillors at the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, 5 March. The proposal, submitted by Yellowave Brighton, includes the development of three sand courts for beach volleyball, beach tennis and footvolley, as well as a versatile multi-use area designed for 5-a-side beach soccer, life-saving training, and fitness activities. In addition to the courts and multi-use space, the new centre will feature a sports reception area, a small café, an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities, and a free kids’ sandpit. A Beach House room will also be available for hire, providing an indoor space for a variety of community activities such as school beach education days, yoga sessions, First Aid training, and parent and toddler groups. The planning application also includes the change of use of existing public toilets, the demolition of a detached accessible WC, and the construction of a single-storey detached community facility with associated perimeter fencing and a newly landscaped surface around the water fountain. New public toilets will be opened nearby as part of the Hove Beach Park development at the new Outdoor Sports Hub. Councillor Julie Cattell, the lead member for major projects, spoke at the Planning Committee, highlighting the significance of the project. “This proposal is the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle that will complete Hove Beach Park – the first new park in the city for more than 100 years,” she said. The committee considered feedback from 91 objectors and 111 supporters. Councillor Cattell noted that many comments highlighted the public health benefits of the proposed sporting facilities. Katie Mintram, director of Yellowave, expressed her excitement about the project, saying: “We are thrilled to be able to bring beach sports to Hove. We will be working with a whole host of local sports clubs, schools, and colleges to offer more beach volleyball, beach tennis, and beach soccer in the city, to complement the sports on offer at our Madeira Drive site.” The new Sand Sports Centre is expected to enhance Hove Beach Park and offer local residents and visitors a range of outdoor sports and community activities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Newcastle City Council planners have approved crucial enabling works that will unlock a multi-million pound mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle. With One Public Estate brownfield funding already secured for the site, the unanimous decision today (March 7) now allows for the first phase of clearance and remediation within the growing Founders Place scheme. Developed by igloo, the neglected and derelict site will evolve into the Orchard Yard housing scheme. The funding is to help build thousands of new homes as part of the Government’s plans to get the country building again, create jobs and grow the economy. This multi-million-pound boost is awarded to councils to unlock disused brownfield sites. Newcastle City Council were successful in securing £2,4m in the last funding round with £1.65m allocated to bring forward housing on Founders Place. The South Street site, once home to workshops of the Stephenson Engineering Manufactory, has seen various industrial uses over the decades but fell into disrepair after the last tenant, Doves Building Merchant, left in 2004. The Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop derelict shells are now deemed dangerous and inaccessible. The enabling work will now allow for the clearing out asbestos, removal of unsafe structures – largely added in the 20th Century with little or no historical value – and put in new retaining structures. This will also unlock millions of pounds of inward investment with the site eventually seeing circa 70 homes being developed. The phased plans will reinvent the Machine Shop whilst retaining and restoring the fabric of the earliest industrial structures. This will all help bring South Street back to life by providing family homes and apartments, along with business space, a public park and courtyard. Accessed from Sussex Street, the Smith’s Shop will complement its neighbour by providing further housing and public spaces. Combined, the two developments will once again be open to the public, enhancing the wider area. Insiyah Khushnood from igloo, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the enabling work which is the first essential step to breathing new life into this derelict site of the former Stephenson Works. Without these works the site would remain abandoned but now we have the opportunity to take the first steps in this important regeneration scheme that will create a thriving residential community within an unused and forgotten part of the city.” Cabinet member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, Cllr Dan Greenhough, said: “I am delighted that planning committee have approved this. “These are incredibly important buildings from a historic perspective, but they are also in a dangerous condition due to structural decay and asbestos. This work will enable the buildings to be made safe so work can begin restoring them to their original glory and turning them into much needed housing bringing more activity back to the site. “This will be another step forward for Founders Place development site which is also attracting good quality jobs to the city.” Work is expected to start on the site this summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council has submitted a planning application to regenerate Druids Heath, proposing the construction of approximately 3,500 new energy-efficient homes. The development will also include enhanced green spaces, improved infrastructure, and revitalised commercial and community areas. A key focus of the project is the provision of affordable housing, with the council committing to building around 1,785 affordable homes, representing 51% of the total development. Of these, 400 homes will be built directly by the council for social rent. The remaining affordable homes will be delivered through a partnership agreement with a developer and a Registered Provider, with the partnership expected to be finalised in early 2027. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “I am pleased that we now have a plan in place to deliver a regeneration of Druids Heath and to provide much need new affordable homes to the city. For the past two years, we have been working with the community in Druids Heath to develop a plan to regenerate the area, one that meets the needs of the people who live and work there.” She emphasised the importance of community involvement in shaping the plans and addressing residents’ concerns, particularly regarding timescales and affordability. “Residents have been vital to ensuring this plan delivers for Druids Heath. The most common comment was that the timescales for the plan were too long, so we have changed the plans to deliver faster,” Francis stated. The regeneration project aims to create sustainable and healthier living spaces, aligning with the city’s net zero ambitions. “This regeneration will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce residents fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions,” Francis added. Recognising the potential disruption for residents, the council has pledged to provide independent advisors to homeowners and hold regular drop-in sessions for questions. Furthermore, efforts are being made to explore financial models that will enable existing residents to remain in Druids Heath. “It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so,” Francis concluded. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developers are facing construction delays of more than 18 months and additional costs of up to £49,000 per week due to safety regulations such as the Building Safety Act (BSA), according to new data from the Purposeful Finance Commission (PFC). A report published today by the PFC highlights how the BSA has unintentionally caused significant setbacks in the construction sector. The independent body, which brings together public and private sector organisations, warns that the stringent regulatory process is creating major barriers to housing and infrastructure development. The report, Breaking the Cycle: Unlocking Infrastructure Investment, reveals that developers are waiting over 18 months for approvals from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before they can even begin construction. These delays stem primarily from the three-stage ‘gateway’ process that high-risk projects must navigate to secure planning consent, construction approval, and ultimately, occupancy. Since the introduction of Gateway 2 in October 2023, the number of build-to-rent (BTR) homes reaching the detailed planning application stage has dropped by 41%, falling to just 17,315 between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024. The PFC argues that these regulatory delays are making many schemes financially unviable, with one developer reportedly losing up to £49,000 per week due to prolonged waiting times at Gateway 2. In December alone, the BSR received 1,502 planning applications for high-risk buildings, yet nearly half remain undecided. Of those reviewed, more than 70% have been either rejected or deemed invalid. Meanwhile, construction starts on over 800 high-rise residential projects have been delayed, with Gateway 2 approvals now taking an average of 22 weeks—almost double the original 12-week target. Tracy Blackwell, chief executive of the Pension Insurance Corporation and chair of the PFC, acknowledged the importance of regulatory oversight but criticised the lack of resources that is slowing progress. She said: “Regulators play a critical role, particularly in ensuring resident safety, but there is no excuse for them to be under-resourced and effectively stalling vital infrastructure and housing projects. The regulatory burden is strangling growth, and I’m delighted the PFC is focused on how regulation can better align with the government’s growth mission and drive investment into the economy.” The report also found that nearly half (49%) of local authorities in England have reduced spending on planning, with overall planning department budgets increasing by just 3.85% per capita between 2018 and 2022. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for a cutting-edge new Extra Care scheme in South Shields have been submitted for approval. The much-needed specialist accommodation, developed and managed by housing association Karbon Homes in partnership with South Tyneside Council, would consist of 124 one and two-bed apartments, designed to help people with differing levels of care and support needs to live well and independently. The scheme, located on the corner of Galsworthy Road and Benton Road, on the site of the former Chuter Ede school and community association, has been designed to help address the lack of specialist, affordable accommodation options in the borough. 25 of the apartments are specifically designed for people living with dementia. Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “We’re pleased to be submitting this exciting planning proposal for our second Extra Care scheme in South Tyneside, bringing much-needed supported housing to the borough which will enable local people to remain living independently for longer. “We’re looking forward to working with South Tyneside Council to help us deliver the vision for scheme, to create a modern and welcoming place that helps empower people with additional care and support needs to live life to the full. and brings the local community together.” The scheme would be the second Extra Care facility developed by Karbon Homes in partnership with South Tyneside Council, the first being a 96-apartment scheme in Hebburn town centre, which started on site at the end of last year. The partnership supports the Council’s ambitions to build strong communities and help people in South Tyneside to stay well and healthy throughout their lives. Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “This development is a really exciting concept which would provide much-needed specialist accommodation for adults with care and support needs, as well as integrating modern facilities for local people to use. “Our residents have been clear that they would rather live as independently as possible than go into residential care, and this extra care facility would enable them to do just that, living right in the heart of their communities with the support they need.” Karbon has worked with Tyne and Wear based JDDK Architects on the design, which delivers a spacious, socially focused scheme, with high environmental and energy efficiency standards. The apartments would sit across four-storeys, laid out around a central communal courtyard. Ground floor apartments have access to private patio areas, with upper storey apartments benefitting from balconies. The wider scheme would include a variety of landscaped areas and small quiet gardens. The proposal is for the heating and hot water to be powered by air source heat pumps, with additional energy generated through roof mounted solar PV panels. The design has also been guided by the needs of the community. If approved, the scheme will be the first of Karbon’s Extra Care schemes to have an integrated Community Hub, alongside a bistro café and multi-use spaces for activities open to the general public and community groups, helping to facilitate community cohesion. Its delivery would be part-funded by Homes England, through Karbon’s Strategic Partnership with the Government’s housing delivery agency. This strategic partnership is supporting Karbon to deliver 2,200 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire over the next few years, 10% of which will be new homes for people requiring additional support needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Persimmon Homes Wessex has submitted an outline planning application for the construction of up to 624 new homes in the Grove and Wantage area, further expanding its Wellington Gate development. The proposed development, located to the north-west of Grove, will be adjacent to the existing Wellington Gate site. In addition to new homes, the plans include infrastructure for community amenities, such as allotments, youth play areas, public open space, and the expansion of Grove Cemetery. The development also aims to enhance local education by expanding primary school facilities and introducing equipped play areas, creating a more family-friendly environment. The application, initially submitted in 2020, has been revised after extensive discussions with local authorities to better align with community priorities and needs. A key part of the proposal is the inclusion of 35% affordable and social housing, which will be transferred to a housing association partner. This initiative is designed to address the housing shortage in the Vale of White Horse District, where there is currently a waiting list of around 2,000 families. Further financial contributions from the developer to support local services will be determined during the application process. If approved, more detailed applications will follow. The five-star builder is also currently selling two, three, and four-bedroom homes at its existing Wellington Gate site, with prices starting from £284,995. Persimmon recently held a community consultation to gather input on the local hub planned for the new development. Seb Spiller, deputy managing director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, commented on the submission: “Persimmon is very proud of the progress we have made at Wellington Gate and are delighted that our presence is bringing infrastructure to the community and opening up the dream of home ownership to so many local people. “So, we are delighted to have submitted this outline application to bring hundreds of more high-quality, low-cost homes to Wantage and Grove, especially after working closely with the Vale of White Horse District Council and Grove Parish Council to make amendments to the plan.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Robert Oates, CEO of leading UK ecology consultancy, Arbtech Having spent the last few weeks providing responses to the Government’s Planning Reform working paper ‘Development and Nature Recovery’ both in writing and in person at the House of Lords, one opportunity we keep pressing is the need for greater knowledge sharing and the exploitation of technology to drive decision quality. Any new measures to assist the process of simplifying the ecology workstream for developers to speed up housing delivery will depend heavily on the readiness of accurate data, and AI certainly has a part to play. Having worked with tens of thousands of developers around the UK for the past 20 years, we know that it’s not necessarily the requirement for ecological assessments that causes frustration, but rather the delays and uncertainty that often accompanies the processing of assessments once they have been submitted. In order for the right decisions to be made there has to be detailed baseline data across planning authorities so that the impacts of a particular development can be accurately assessed. Presently, Ministers are claiming that bats and newts are “blockers” to development, but there is a lack of clarity on where that information is coming from. In the last five years there have been almost 2,000,000 planning applications made. That is a colossal amount of data, all in the public domain, that is completely untapped. This data could be used to help drive up the quality of decision making and speed up policy reform. By having a model with all the data linked to particular planning applications, a ‘super baseline’ could be created to understand the matrix of species and habitats within each LPA, using the best available evidence. At Arbtech, we have existing proprietary data (taken from 12,000 planning applications in 2024 alone) that could be made available to speed up the creation of the new super-baseline understanding for decision makers; an essential pre-requisite for any change, let alone radical reforms. This is where AI will be a game changer. For example, it could be mandated that all ecology reports contain a strictly formatted summary appendix that a machine learning tool could easily exploit the constant stream of fresh data as it is generated by the sector. This would greatly assist data collection. In fact, at Arbtech we are developing an AI application to translate all our data into actional insights for the public and private sectors in the hope that this will speed up the planning process and avoid preventable outcomes such as the irreversible decline of habitats and species. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals