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Monitor Place North West 22 Oct 2026

Councils take on futile fight against national planning changes

The article reports that four local authorities, including Bolton and Tameside, have refused to amend their constitutions to align with the new National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions, which takes effect on 1 November. The scheme shifts more planning decisions from committees to officers and sets a national standard for referral, with councils warned that non-compliance could trigger judicial review, decision reversals and costs.

Planning Legal Updates Regulation

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Monitor Place North West 22 Oct 2026

FCHO replaces contractor for £3.7m affordable Royton flats

First Choice Homes Oldham has replaced Robwood Construction with John Southworth Builders on a £3.7m affordable housing scheme in Royton after significant delays and Robwood’s compulsory liquidation. The new contractor has identified defects in the existing works that will need correction, with completion now targeted for July 2027.

Defects & Pathology Housing Market Regulation

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Monitor Place North West 20 Oct 2026

Oval shapes up for start on Manchester mixed-use scheme

Manchester City Council has issued a formal decision notice for Oval Real Estate’s Albert Bridge House redevelopment, following completion of a Section 106 agreement. The scheme will replace the existing office block with two residential towers and a smaller office building, although start on site still depends on Building Safety Regulator Gateway 2 approval.

Planning Building Safety Regulation

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Monitor Place North West 19 Oct 2026

FCH promotes trio in North West

Falconer Chester Hall has promoted three staff members as the practice expands its focus on high-risk and tall-building work under the Building Safety Act regime. The firm says it has secured multiple Gateway approvals and consents and is positioning itself to provide both architectural and principal designer services for compliant delivery of tall buildings.

Building Safety Regulation Planning

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Monitor Place North West 19 Oct 2026

Glenbrook’s 44-storey Manchester tower clears Gateway 2

Glenbrook has secured Gateway 2 approval for its 44-storey, 364-home residential tower on Whitworth Street West in Manchester, alongside planning permission and funding arrangements. The scheme, designed by Sheppard Robson and due to be built by Domis, is now positioned to move toward a start on site in 2027.

Building Safety Regulation Housing Market

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Monitor Place North West 16 Oct 2026

Warrington decision paves way for £38m grant for 240 homes

Warrington Council has reapproved Habiko’s plans for a 240-home affordable housing scheme on the former DW Sports site off Academy Way, removing a planning barrier to a £38m Homes England grant. The council’s earlier Section 106 requirement was dropped after Homes England said the grant could not be allocated if the affordable provision was secured through that legal agreement.

Housing Market Regulation Conveyancing

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Monitor Place North West 15 Oct 2026

Manchester to create first new conservation areas since the 1990s

Manchester City Council has identified seven locations for potential new conservation areas as part of its local plan review, which would be the first additions since the 1990s. If approved, the city would increase its conservation areas from 35 to 42, with developers in the affected areas needing to demonstrate how proposals protect local character.

Planning Regulation Conveyancing

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Monitor Place North West 15 Oct 2026

Call-in request for 3.6m sq ft data centre campus

Gwelyfenai has proposed a 3.6m sq ft data centre campus on the former Ferodo site near Caernarfon, but the scheme may be called in by the Welsh Government for its own determination. The project includes demolition, regrading and a range of ecological mitigation measures, while attracting criticism over potential landscape and wildlife impacts.

Planning Regulation Environment & Flood Risk

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Monitor Place North West 15 Oct 2026

Nicholson Group sets out vision for historic Pilkington canteen

Nicholson Group has submitted plans to convert the vacant Grade II-listed former Pilkington canteen in St Helens into 45 flats. The adaptive reuse proposal follows an earlier, unimplemented 2008 approval for a smaller residential scheme and aims to balance heritage preservation with new housing use.

Planning Regulation Housing Market

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Monitor Place North West 15 Oct 2026

Plans in for RSPCA Mossley Hall

The RSPCA has submitted plans to Wigan Council for a 55,199 sq ft animal care facility at Mossley Hall Farm in Lowton to help address a regional capacity shortage. The proposal follows consultation and includes a low-rise, landscape-led design with biodiversity net gain, revised access and parking arrangements, and specialist veterinary, rehabilitation and rehoming spaces.

Planning Regulation Environment & Flood Risk

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Monitor Place North West 13 Oct 2026

No new regulation for three years, demands commission led by ex-housing minister

The Prosper UK Housing Commission, chaired by Gavin Barwell, has called for a three-year pause on new regulation affecting developers, alongside a commitment to rule out rent controls. Its report argues that housing delivery is being constrained by both buyer affordability and developer viability, and proposes measures spanning planning, demand support, and build-to-rent investment.

Regulation Housing Market Planning

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Monitor Place North West 12 Oct 2026

Preston approves city centre car park, 60 homes

Preston City Council has approved a permanent car park use for the former Odeon Cinema site on Church Street, while also supporting future redevelopment hopes for the wider Stoneygate area. The committee also approved a 60-home scheme east of Tabley Lane, subject to a Section 106 agreement, and a storage unit conversion at School Lane.

Planning Housing Market Regulation

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