A Construction Employers Federation survey reports that inflationary pressures are again weighing heavily on Northern Ireland construction firms, with 45% citing price rises as a serious financial concern. The sector also highlighted stagnant or falling margins, rising material costs and wider policy issues including budget uncertainty, housing supply constraints and planning reform.
Breck Homes and Northern Trust have lodged an appeal against St Helens Council’s refusal of a 52-home scheme at Parr, with an informal hearing scheduled for 14 October at the Town Hall. The original refusal cited Green Belt harm, policy conflicts, housing mix concerns, highway layout issues, and insufficient ecological and bat survey information.
The Environment Agency has published guidance for local planning authorities on preparing and maintaining a strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA). The guidance emphasises that SFRAs should be kept up to date as a living document and used early in plan-making to inform decisions on the type and location of development.
Prospect Homes GB is seeking a screening opinion for a proposed 103-home scheme off Northway in Maghull, within Sefton Council’s area. The developer argues the 15.3-acre site is unlikely to require a full Environmental Impact Assessment, citing its relationship to existing urban infrastructure and the inclusion of drainage, ecology and biodiversity measures.
Lewisham Council has appointed The Hill Group as strategic development partner for a housing and regeneration programme worth up to £1.5bn. The 10-year agreement, which may be extended by five years, is intended to speed delivery across multiple sites while the council retains control over site selection, timings and major delivery decisions.
The Environment Agency is advertising a permit application from BDW Trading Limited for Trows Farm, Cowm Top, Castleton, Rochdale, under reference EPR/ZP3528MJ/A001. The notice confirms a public consultation on activities that may include water discharge, groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant or specified generators.
Harworth is progressing plans for a second phase of its West of Wingates industrial scheme in Bolton, with an EIA scoping request submitted and a hybrid planning application expected. The next phase could deliver up to 215,000 sq ft of industrial units on a 15-acre site, following approval and funding for the first phase.
The government has allocated nearly £10 billion from its £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to 33 strategic partners, including councils and housing associations, to support delivery of 73,600 homes over the next 10 years. The package also includes funding to strengthen local authority capacity and expand planning-related training, with RICS welcoming the emphasis on professional skills across surveying, valuation and development.
The government has proposed expanding mayoral planning powers in England, allowing mayors to call in strategically important applications and, in some cases, grant development permission up front. The scope would include schemes above set national thresholds, while councils would still determine most applications under existing planning rules and local plans.
The article argues that the London residential market remains under pressure, with prime central London values weakened at the top end and apartments facing excess supply. It also notes that developers are using increasingly aggressive incentives to move unsold stock, while planning reform and housing delivery targets remain uncertain.
Everton FC is seeking planning permission to increase the number of full-capacity non-football events at Hill Dickinson Stadium from four to eight per year and to broaden the wording of the relevant planning condition. The club argues that the current limit reduces potential economic benefits for Liverpool and the wider city region, while comparable stadiums have secured greater event flexibility.
Blackpool Council is due to consider two planning applications affecting sites near Bloomfield Road and Newton Drive, including a £4m community sports village and an extension to a mental health facility. Officers are recommending approval for the sports scheme but refusal for the healthcare proposal, citing sustainability, design, and heritage impacts.
