Cornish Lithium has become the first company to produce lithium hydroxide mined and refined in the UK.

The lithium was extracted from granite in Cornwall and refined at the company’s demonstration plant in St Dennis.

Lithium hydroxide is a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grid-scale energy storage.

Jamie Airnes, CEO of Cornish Lithium, said:

“This is a watershed moment for the UK’s industrial capabilities and economic resilience.

“For the first time ever as a country, we have now demonstrated the ability to produce one of the raw materials on which we all increasingly rely.

“It is testament to the strength of our research, our innovative approach and the dedication of the Cornish Lithium team.”

The refined lithium hydroxide monohydrate was produced at the company’s Trelavour demonstration plant, which uses patented, low-carbon processing technology.

The facility incorporates all processing stages from crushing and grinding the rock, separation of the lithium-bearing minerals and processing of these minerals to produce a refined lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

Cornwall is home to the largest lithium deposits in Europe and has enough lithium to power at least 50 per cent of all EVs expected to be produced in the UK by 2030.

Following the announcement, Cornish Lithium has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Crowdcube platform to allow the public and existing supporters to invest in the company’s next phase of growth.

Jeremy Wrathall, founder and executive chairman of Cornish Lithium, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to not just invest in Cornish Lithium but to support the development of a resilient and responsible critical minerals supply chain for the UK.

“The work we are doing is vital for the UK’s national security and economic growth, and it is encouraging to see that the appetite to help us succeed in our ambitions has already been overwhelmingly positive.”

The company plans to build a full-scale processing facility capable of producing up to 10,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year, with production targeted to begin in 2029.

The crowdfunding campaign follows a recent £35 million investment from the National Wealth Fund and TechMet, which will help advance the company’s projects toward commercial production.

 

Source: The Packet

 

image MEN Media

Workers in central Manchester felt ‘earthquake-like’ tremors after a building collapsed on October 24th.

Most of the 11-storey block on Bridge Street crumbled to the ground, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people from surrounding buildings.

The collapsed building was vacant at the time and no injuries have been reported so far.

The building is part of Alberton House, a 52-year-old two-block building which was mostly being used by a law firm when it was vacated in 2021.

It’s not clear whether the second block, a five-storey structure perpendicular to the main block, was already demolished.

George Jones, owner of neighbouring Cardinal House, told the Manchester Evening News:

‘We’ve had to evacuate, about 500 people have had to go for the day, I’ve got multiple businesses in here.

‘We were aware of the renovations for sometime, but never been told that we would be in fear of safety or need to evacuate.

‘It felt and sounded like an earthquake. People have left because they don’t feel safe. When we went around afterwards to speak to the workmen and they told us to evacuate the building. The scaffolding fell in the river and building was moving.’

Alberton House is one of several buildings damaged by the blast of an IRA bomb planted in a car at nearby Parsonage Gardens.

The police response – evacuating buildings in the area – unwittingly sent people into the path of a second bomb near Manchester’s Anglican cathedral, injuring a total of 65 people.

Developer Brentwood took the site over in 2021 with plans to replace it with an 18-storey office block.

Source: Manchester Evening News

 

Expert conservators deployed to clean and affix flaking paint

 

Two painting conservators from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) visited St Mary’s Church in Grandtully, Perthshire, to conserve the unique ceiling. The church’s ceiling was first painted in the 1600s and is divided into roundels and arches with carious coats of arms, saints and proverbs within them. The central panel is thought to depict the Last Judgement.

The ceiling was commissioned by Sir William Stewart and Dame Agnes Moncrieff, whose arms adorn the ceiling. It is painted in a style typical of Scottish Renaissance, using mainly earth pigments with green and blue accents painted onto a white preparation layer. Due to the organic nature of the ceiling’s timbers and the paint, it is particularly susceptible to changes in the environment, which is monitored as part of condition surveys.

St Mary’s Church was taken into care in 1944. At the time, the ceiling and roof were in poor condition, and they have since been treated repeatedly for insect damage and timber rot. To ensure this unique artwork lasts as long as possible, its condition is now surveyed every five years, and this conservation work was deemed necessary after last year’s survey. Painting conservators Ailsa Murray and Briege Thomas from HES conserved the ceiling by fixing flaking paint into place and cleaning loose dirt and debris.

Ailsa Murray, Painting Conservator at HES, said:

“The ceiling of St Mary’s Church is a unique chapter in Grandtully’s history, and by ensuring we stay abreast of its condition and conserving it when necessary, we can make sure future generations can enjoy it for as long as possible.

“A project like this requires knowledge of the original techniques used back in the 1600s in order to select the most appropriate approach and material for treatment. It’s also challenging to work against gravity. That makes it a great opportunity for our Paintings Conservation Trainee, Briege, to learn to conserve decoration of this technique and period.”

Briege Thomas, Paintings Conservation Trainee at HES, said:

“The opportunity to work on a painted ceiling like this is a rare and exciting one, and I was thrilled to be able to work on this gorgeous hidden gem.

“When you’re up on the scaffold, you can see all the fine details which aren’t visible from the ground. At that distance, I could really see the brushstrokes of the original paint as well as the different campaigns of restoration the ceiling has undergone over its long history. It was fascinating to be able to connect the original artist, the conservators who have carried out work over the years, and the work we were doing as one long living history of the ceiling and the church itself.

“Learning how to apply techniques on this kind of painted surface was a challenge, but the patience and skill of the experienced conservators I’ve worked with has helped me find my confidence and made me a better conservator. It’s been a privilege to carry out treatments on and work with such nationally historic objects and buildings during my year at HES.”

Heritage Careers Week, which takes place during the last week of October, is the perfect time for young people like Briege to explore the potential of a career in heritage.

 

Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, has visited Marleigh Park in Cambridge, an example of high-quality, sustainable placemaking delivered by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group. The tour formed part of the minister’s wider visit to Cambridge to coincide with a £500 million investment boost in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, as the Government prioritises the region as a key area for future investment in innovation, business, housing and infrastructure.

Located on the eastern edge of Cambridge, Marleigh Park is one of the city’s most significant new neighbourhoods and a model for well-planned growth. Once complete, the development will deliver 1,391 new homes, extensive green spaces and a wide range of community amenities, helping to meet local housing needs while supporting the region’s long-term economic vision.

The Minister’s visit to Marleigh Park took place on the same day as the annual Innovate Cambridge Summit, during which Government funding for a new Cambridge Innovation Hub was announced. At least £15 million for the facility will be allocated through the £500 million Oxford-Cambridge Growth Package, helping to boost research, employment and skills in the area.

Marleigh Park exemplifies the type of sustainable, well-connected development that supports the Government’s goals for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, creating the homes and infrastructure needed to underpin the UK’s innovation economy. During the visit, Mr Pennycook toured the site with the Leader of Cambridge City Council, the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, and senior representatives from Hill, seeing first-hand how Marleigh Park has evolved into a vibrant and inclusive community since construction began in 2018.

Centred around Jubilee Square, Marleigh Park offers a wide range of local amenities, including a new purpose-built primary school and nursery, a Co-op supermarket, a community centre, a R3FORM fitness studio and a café and deli, all designed to support active and connected lifestyles. The neighbourhood also features play areas, allotments, sports pitches and extensive pedestrian and cycle routes that link directly to Cambridge’s established transport network.

The third and final phase of Marleigh Park, which will deliver 423 new homes, gained planning approval in late 2024 and is set for completion in 2031, completing the vision for this new Cambridge community and demonstrating Hill’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional homes across the Growth Corridor.

Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said:

“The investment in Cambridge as the centre of excellence for science and innovation is great news, but it also requires significant investment in housing and infrastructure to support the people who make that innovation possible. We’re proud that Marleigh Park has set a high standard for sustainable neighbourhood design in Cambridge and has created a thriving, connected community where people love to live. We have successfully delivered a wide range of large-scale residential-led developments across both Cambridge and Oxford, so we are closely aligned with the ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. The Hill Group remains committed to working with local and national partners to help meet the country’s housing needs while supporting economic growth across this key region.”

Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

“The Minister’s visit to Marleigh Park offered a valuable opportunity to see firsthand how sustainable urban development can successfully deliver high-quality facilities in our area to create vibrant and resilient communities for generations to come. The visit was timely, coming shortly after the Government’s announcement for major investment and hopes for a centrally led Development Corporation for Greater Cambridge.

“We have lobbied successive governments for national support on the infrastructure we need, including on wastewater and water supply. We’ve also made clear time and time again the challenges our local area faces when it comes to traffic and public transport. Getting this right is a top priority if we are to continue to ensure Greater Cambridge is a great place to live, grow-up, work and learn.

“We hope that a Development Corporation’s capabilities, including the ability to call upon the resources of the Government, potentially provide a means to address some of these challenges – but it’s key that local voices shape any decisions about our area. We will be working with Government to ensure the priorities of local people are fully considered.”

 

Cllr Cameron Holloway, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said:

“I welcome the Government’s major investment in Cambridge and engagement on key challenges facing our area, including housing affordability, water infrastructure, and the insufficient space on our roads. I look forward to working with the Government in the coming year to improve the quality of life for current and future residents of our area and to contribute to national prosperity.

“We are proud that Cambridge makes a major contribution to research, development and economic growth for the UK and the world, and we want to work with Government and the Cambridge Growth Company to ensure that that continues.

“But, as Minister Pennycook set out Thursday, future growth of the city must also invest in existing and new communities to tackle the stark inequalities in our city, while protecting the environment and making Cambridge a great place to live, work and study.

“Marleigh Park is a good example of high-quality, sustainable urban development that provides excellent community facilities for current and future residents.”

 

Created to celebrate the very best in interior design and flooring, Forbo Flooring Systems is delighted to reveal the deserving winners of its 2025 Forbo Awards, including a category for Sustainable Project of the Year.

 

Originally launched in 2024, replacing its former Forbo Escapes competition, the Forbo Awards are open to architectural or interior design practices who have used Forbo’s comprehensive range of flooring solutions to create a high impact or sustainable design scheme.

After an intense period of judging, including a public vote for the Public Choice category, Forbo has crowned its three winners:

 

  • Project of the Year 2025 – Fidget UK Ltd / The Edge, Whitehaven

 

  • Sustainable Project of the Year 2025 – Westworks Interiors Ltd / voco Zeal Hotel, Exter

 

  • Public Choice 2025 – Harvey Maria Ltd / National Maritime Museum

 

The Edge in Whitehaven is a bold new community space inspired by its dramatic coastal surroundings, designed to look like the sandstone pebbles that often wash up onto the harbour side during high seas. For the flooring scheme, Fidget UK Ltd balanced the functional requirements of the different spaces with colour, pattern and a tight budget. A wide selection of Forbo products were specified, including Tessera carpet tiles, the contemporary and earthy look of Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) and the practical Surestep safety flooring.

While Westworks Interior Ltd took the crown for Sustainable Project of the Year with their work on vocoZeal in Exeter – the first net-zero carbon hotel in Western Europe. Emphasising sustainability, high-quality interior design and guest comfort, Forbo’s climate positive (carbon negative) Marmoleum Cocoa Decibel was particularly appealing to Westworks Interior, with a focus on creating a warm, calming and neutral colour palette. Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT, Nuway bamboo entrance matting and Safestep safety vinyl were also specified.

The bespoke flooring graphic at the National Maritime Museum won the public vote, with the custom-printed Eternal heterogeneous vinyl a stunning convergence of design and innovation, showing the world’s ocean map in its all its glory.

Speaking about the winners, Donna Hannaway, Head of Marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems, said:

“It’s been another brilliant year for the Forbo Awards, with a fantastic variety of amazing projects entered from across the industry. It’s always great to see how our comprehensive portfolio of flooring products is supporting interior designers and architects in creating beautiful, functional and sustainable spaces that tell their own unique story.

“A huge congratulations to the three deserving winners and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter our awards!”

 

CLICK HERE to view all of the winning projects

 

 

   

Commenting on how the property sector is fully in ‘wait and see’ mode ahead of Autumn Statement, Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners, said:

“With the Autumn Statement looming, the property market remains in ‘wait and see’ mode. Buyers are pausing, and developers are holding back amid uncertainty over potential tax changes and the wider economic outlook. While the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates provides some comfort, persistently high borrowing costs and a lack of policy clarity continue to stifle momentum. The proposed reduction of the affordable housing requirement to 20%, alongside a fast-tracked planning route, is a welcome step that could improve scheme viability in London. Yet for many developers, even this lower threshold may not be enough to make projects financially viable, given ongoing pressures from high construction costs, tighter debt markets, and uncertain exit values.

 

“Easing planning constraints and offering temporary relief on levies can help get stalled sites moving, but the challenge extends beyond supply. The government must also act to stimulate demand, through measures such as supporting first-time buyers, reforming stamp duty, and incentivising domestic purchasers to buy off-plan. To truly unlock housing delivery, both developers and buyers need compelling reasons to commit. Without measures to boost demand as well as supply, the capital risks continued under-delivery despite well-intentioned reforms.”

Style, the UK’s leading moveable wall specialist, proudly supported the annual StrongMen Charity Golf Day, held on Friday 24th October at the Old Fold Manor Golf Club in Chipping Barnet, London.

Organised by the bereavement support charity StrongMen, the event brought together 40 players from across the construction and architectural sectors to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s mental health during times of grief.

Teams taking part included Style, Optima, Franchi, Celtic, Spacecraft, Verity, Erith, and Overbury, all coming together for a day of friendly competition, fundraising and networking. Team Spacecraft claimed the overall victory, while Overbury dominated the individual categories, taking the Nearest the Pin prizes and winning the Longest Drive.

Representatives from StrongMen attended the event alongside individuals who have personally benefited from the charity’s work, highlighting the ongoing need for emotional and practical support for men who have experienced loss.

“It was a privilege for Style to once again take part in the StrongMen Golf Day,” said Julian Sargent, Chairman of Style. “It’s great to see the industry come together to raise funds for such an important charity that is making a real difference to men struggling with bereavement and mental health challenges. We’re proud to continue backing their mission.”

Next year’s event is already confirmed for 12th June 2026, once again at Old Fold Manor Golf Club.


For more information, or to make a donation to StrongMen, please CLICK HERE

 

click here to visit the Style Website

 

Why efficiency must become a business imperative, not a nice-to-have 

 

In 1959, the UK opened its first major motorway, the M1, with a 67-mile stretch. Including connecting feeder roads, the new route spanned around 72 miles and relied on thousands of tonnes of asphalt — a mixture of aggregates and bitumen that continues to be fundamental to roadbuilding today. Modern asphalt plants are complex facilities that rely on heavy-duty machinery to mix, dry and transport materials at scale, but beyond stone and binder, every tonne of asphalt requires vast amounts of energy. Here, David Strain, technical director at integrated automation system expert, Technidrive, explains why energy must be reframed as the industry’s invisible raw material, and why efficiency is now a business imperative.

The overlooked raw material

Asphalt producers spend enormous time and attention sourcing aggregates and bitumen, but comparatively little time on optimising the energy used in the production process. In many asphalt plants, equipment such as dryers, exhaust fans, mixers and skip drives represent some of the highest electrical loads — yet their energy consumption is not always monitored as closely as other production inputs.

This is a blind spot. Energy is just as integral to the final product as stone or binder and the way it is managed can be the difference between profit and loss.

For too long, energy efficiency was considered a future ambition or an optional environmental badge. Today, rising energy costs and tightening net-zero requirements mean that ignoring it is no longer an option. Energy is the invisible raw material of asphalt production and must be managed with the same focus as any other input.

From optional to essential

The economics of asphalt production are under increasing pressure. Plants are energy-intensive by nature and when electricity costs surge, margins are quickly eroded. At the same time, industry-wide commitments to reduce carbon emissions mean producers are expected to demonstrate measurable progress toward sustainability.

In the United States, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) has pledged to reach net zero by 2050 through its Road Forward initiative. In the UK, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) has published a Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero for the mineral products sector, underscoring the expectation that asphalt producers will take action on efficiency and emissions.

The best energy is the energy you don’t use

One of the most important principles in energy management is that the greatest saving comes from energy you never consume in the first place. Too often, asphalt plant equipment runs at full capacity regardless of the demand placed on it. Exhaust fans operate at maximum speed even when reduced airflow would suffice, mixers strain unnecessarily between loads and skip drives cycle inefficiently. Each of these practices results in wasted energy and unnecessary operating costs.

By implementing variable speed drives (VSDs), high-efficiency motors and smart control systems, plants can ensure equipment only works as hard as it needs to. Sensors provide real-time feedback to control systems, automatically adjusting motor speed or fan pressure to meet actual process requirements. Instead of blunt, all-or-nothing operation, energy use becomes finely tuned to production needs. This shift from uncontrolled consumption to demand-led operation is where the most transformative savings are achieved.

Making energy visible

A critical part of reframing energy as a raw material is making it visible. Operators and managers are used to thinking in terms of tonnes of asphalt produced, but less accustomed to measuring energy use per tonne. When consumption is monitored and reported in these terms, the impact of inefficiency becomes clear.

One way of monitoring is conducting energy assessments where monitoring equipment is installed to measure baseline consumption over the course of a specified period of time. By comparing energy use before and after system upgrades, producers can see exactly how much electricity, and therefore money, they are saving per tonne of asphalt. This transparency changes the conversation, turning efficiency from an abstract concept into a tangible operational metric that directly affects the bottom line.

While cost reduction is the most obvious benefit, efficiency also improves reliability and safety. When equipment runs only as hard as required, mechanical stress is reduced, extending the lifespan of motors, gearboxes and drives. This results in fewer breakdowns, lower maintenance costs and less downtime. Smarter control also reduces the risk of operator error and equipment overload, contributing to a safer, more resilient working environment.

Real-world results

In a recent project, a leading quarry and asphalt manufacturer faced spiralling energy costs due to an exhaust fan system running continuously at full speed. By retrofitting a high-performance VSD and upgrading to an IE4-rated motor, the fan was brought under precise control.

The result was a 38 per cent reduction in energy use, saving more than €30,500 annually while also cutting carbon emissions by over 750 kilograms per year.

In another case, McQuillan Quarries faced chronic downtime caused by repeated failures in its asphalt mixer gearboxes. The solution required more than efficiency; it demanded reliability. Technidrive engineered a bespoke planetary gearbox system designed to withstand the shock loads of mixing bitumen and stone. The new design eliminated failures and has operated reliably for more than five years, delivering consistent output with drastically reduced maintenance requirements.

By addressing inefficiency and unreliability simultaneously, asphalt producers can achieve both financial and operational gains.

 

Reframing energy as material

No asphalt producer would tolerate the unnecessary loss of aggregates or bitumen. Yet plants often accept wasted energy as unavoidable, even when the scale of loss is comparable. The difference is that energy cannot be seen or stockpiled. Treating it as an invisible raw material corrects this blind spot, forcing managers to recognise it as a core component of production that must be optimised.

Furthermore, reframing energy efficiency as a business opportunity rather than a compliance obligation is essential for the industry. Smart monitoring and control, high-efficiency motors and bespoke engineering interventions do not just cut costs; they improve reliability, enhance safety and reduce emissions.

Asphalt producers must work closely with a system integrator to survey operations, design tailored solutions and integrate them seamlessly into existing plant controls. The outcome is an operation where energy use is transparent, controllable and efficient — a plant that consumes less, produces more reliably and competes more effectively.

 

A decrease in repair and maintenance drove the decline in construction

UK construction output has continued to shrink as companies struggle to build at the pace required by the government’s far-reaching housing goals.

Output fell 0.3 per cent month on month in August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with the most pronounced decline in repair and maintenance.

“The underlying trends in construction are worrying,” Anna Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said.

“The sector is already contending with acute skills shortages, rising costs and long delays at the Building Safety Regulator.

“Added uncertainty over potential housing tax changes in the forthcoming Budget is further weighing on housing demand,” Leach added.

The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) from S&P Global earlier this month revealed that construction output has been falling for nine months in a row, signalling a “solid rate of contraction”.

The report said business activity expectations were “subdued” at the second-lowest since December 2022 with some shred of optimism offset by “concerns about the UK economic outlook”.

Steven Mulholland, chief executive of the Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA), pointed to the fact that construction accounted for 15.2 per cent of all insolvencies in July 2025, the highest of any sector.

“With very few exceptions, when it comes to construction, infrastructure and housing, everything’s on a downward spiral,” Mulholland told City AM. 

“[The industry] is feeling it now… jobs are finishing and new ones are not starting. We’ve got a real problem,” he added.

Construction ‘key to growth’

Building more houses has been front and centre of the Labour government’s economic plans, with concerns that the UK’s housing crisis is stifling growth and consumer confidence.

“Unlocking infrastructure and housing delivery is critical to the UK’s growth future,” Leach said.

She added that the upcoming Budget – likely to be a tax-raising one – must “tackle systemic barriers head-on – accelerating planning reform, strengthening skills support, alleviating cost pressures and delivering long-term stability for the industry.”

Mulholland said: “Our industry urgently needs pro-construction measures in next month’s Budget.

“Rising employer and energy costs combined with a lack of investment incentives are stalling activity and putting Labour’s target of 1.5 million new homes at real risk.

“If Labour wants to deliver growth… it must back the businesses that build them – reversing harmful National Insurance and inheritance tax changes, as well as tackling increasing energy costs, so construction SMEs and the wider supply chains vital for growth can invest, hire and get building.”

Source: City AM

 

Further proposed planning law changes brought forward before November’s budget offer no guarantees in speeding up infrastructure planning and development processes in the UK, according to an expert.

The UK government has tabled a raft of amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently going through parliament – including giving the housing secretary a temporary power to stop councils from rejecting planning permission in England and Wales.

The government hopes the amendments will stop blockers to the planning process and speed up the rate at which new housing and infrastructure projects can be signed off.

It says councils have been too slow to approve new housing developments, claiming almost 900 projects have been blocked in the last year alone.

But Robbie Owen, an infrastructure planning expert at Pinsent Masons, said the proposals were modest, and needed to go much further.

“There is nothing in the amendments that would be a significant game-changer for national infrastructure projects in terms of strengthening the consenting process and subsequent judicial reviews,” he said.

“Aspiring to cut the time taken by judicial reviews is to be welcomed but there are no guarantees here in terms of accelerating the delivery of infrastructure projects, which ministers are keen for the OBR to value ahead of the budget, given our independent judiciary.”

“Government should therefore be looking at other measures too, that are within their control.”

Such measures, he added, could include removing the requirement for the court’s permission to be given to bring a judicial review, which causes delay without bringing sufficient benefit; legislating for timescales to apply to development consent order (DCO) ‘redeterminations’, as currently there are no timescales and so redeterminations often drag on for well over a year; and providing, as an alternative to judicial review, for DCOs relating to critical national priority projects to be confirmed by parliament through an abridged bill process.

The proposals, which will go before the House of Lords from 20 October as the bill nears its final stages before Royal Assent, come as the government looks to ramp up confidence in development ahead of November’s autumn statement by the chancellor.

Also among the amendments are powers relating to approvals for large reservoir development, more onshore windfarms worth up to £2 billion in investment and allowing the Nature Restoration Fund to support developing marine and costal projects.

The amendments also include a ‘streamlining’ of Natural England’s role in the planning process, by allowing the environmental body more discretion on responding to development proposal queries from local councils.

Emma Barkas, a planning expert with Pinsent Masons, said the changes – such as allowing the Secretary of State to direct local planning authorities – had potential to be a helpful tool for driving the housing agenda.

“Like many of these tools though, the proof will be in how it is applied going forward,” she added.

“Avoiding the risk of planning permissions expiring following unsuccessful challenges simply because developers do not have the time needed to discharge pre-commencement conditions etc. can only be a good thing.”

“Conspicuous by its absence is any confirmed amendment to rectify the deeply difficult position we are in post Hillside/Dennis,” she said, referring to two significant cases on planning permission and severability. “There are still a couple of approaches proposed which seek to address this, including via secondary legislation or potentially through a new section 73AA, and there will be a collective sigh of relief across the industry when the government commits to a way forward.”

“With the New Town proposals coming in, flexibility in masterplans is an absolute must so it is imperative that government adopts a position on this.”

The proposed amendments come as ministers look to ramp up development and housebuilding in the UK, with a target of 1.5million new homes before the end of the parliament and 150 major infrastructure project decisions.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said the bill would ‘unshackle’ the planning process.

“It is simply not true that nature has to lose for economic growth to succeed,” he said.

“Sluggish planning has real world consequences. Every new house blocked deprives a family of a home. Every infrastructure project that gets delayed blocks someone from a much-needed job. This will now end.”

 

Source: Pinset Masons