Henley Investment Management’s proposed 78-storey redevelopment at Regent Retail Park in Salford is set to return to the planning committee after a procedural complaint raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the original approval process. The scheme, which includes 3,300 homes and 660 social rent units, remains under consideration while the council addresses the issue.
Knowsley Council has unveiled plans to refurbish Grace Park in Halewood, with proposals including new sports pitches, a clubhouse, improved play areas, cycle routes and better pedestrian access. The scheme also addresses existing flooding problems through sustainable drainage measures and is due to be considered by the planning committee next month.
Redrow and Bellway have each taken early planning steps for substantial housing proposals in the Warrington area, both by seeking screening opinions to determine whether Environmental Impact Assessments will be required. Redrow is proposing up to 450 homes at Culcheth, while Bellway is seeking flexibility for a second phase of up to 250 homes at Winwick, adjacent to its existing St Oswald’s Place scheme.
The Environment Agency has published a consultation response on proposed standard rules permits for new cemetery developments and closed-loop ground source heating and cooling systems. Feedback generally supported the proposals, and the Agency now plans to update the draft permits and generic risk assessments before publishing final versions on GOV.UK by the end of June 2026.
Torus has applied to Liverpool City Council to amend the permitted opening hours for six vacant commercial units at its Hartley Docks scheme in Liverpool. The change is intended to make the space more attractive to prospective tenants, with supporting acoustic testing indicating the longer hours should not cause material harm to nearby residential amenity.
Construction has started on Tatton Services, a £65m motorway services scheme on the M56 between Junctions 7 and 8, with opening targeted for spring 2028. The development, led by Westmorland in joint venture with Tatton Estate, includes a farm shop, food hall, hotel, filling station and EV charging, and was approved after a planning call-in and inspector decision on grey belt status.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee approved an outline application for a 20MW solar farm with battery storage near Frodsham, while refusing outline consent for 70 homes off London Road, Davenham. The housing scheme was rejected against officer recommendation after members raised concerns about countryside encroachment, flood risk information, agricultural land loss and effects on Peckmill Farm.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is consulting on an Article 4 Direction that would remove permitted development rights for smaller HMOs, requiring full planning permission for conversions housing three or more people from more than one household. The council says the move is intended to manage rising complaints and allow closer scrutiny of location, design, accommodation standards and neighbourhood impact.
Strip-out and demolition have begun at the former Crompton Place shopping centre in Bolton, clearing the way for a proposed £250m mixed-use redevelopment led by Bolton Council and MEPC. The scheme is expected to create a new pedestrian link and could include homes, a hotel and office space, with demolition to be carried out in phases and mitigation measures for dust, noise and vibration.
Halton Council is expected to consider an outline application for 94 homes at Hilltop Farm, Preston-on-the-Hill, on land that has been removed from the Green Belt and allocated for housing. Officers have recommended approval, with no statutory consultee objections, although local opposition has been recorded and conditions are expected to address housing mix and biodiversity net gain.
Muller Property Group has submitted a hybrid planning application for the second phase of its Sandbach South masterplan in Cheshire East, proposing up to 452 homes alongside local centre uses, sports facilities, public open space and supporting infrastructure. The scheme builds on an approved first phase already being delivered by Anwyl Homes and is being advanced against the backdrop of a constrained local housing land supply position.
Demolition has begun on the Bristol Sporting Quarter scheme next to Ashton Gate Stadium, marking the first visible stage of a £162m mixed-use development. The project, which secured planning consent in 2022 after a legal challenge, will include a sports and convention centre, homes, a hotel, offices and associated public realm works.
