Burnham calls out Whitehall’s ‘shocking failure’ in supporting councils

Cut through the net zero noise and leave greenwashing behind – this half-day conference is all about providing actionable insights on how to deliver genuinely low-carbon, energy-efficient, and biodiverse projects. Sustainability in Practice is a must-attend for those looking to build for the future.

The latest round of new towns will be made with the ambition of their post-war predecessors, but with better thinking around sustainable transport and stewardship of green spaces, according to housing minister Matthew Pennycook.

Billed by some as the last chance to prove his prime ministerial chops and articulate a clear vision for the country, Keir Starmer’s speech presented a choice between renewal with Labour and decline with Reform.

The 10th anniversary edition of the property industry’s favourite social was a high energy affair that saw guests dancing to a spectacular set from Hacienda DJ Graeme Park until the wee hours.

While the rhetoric and promises from government have the built environment feeling optimistic, the consensus at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool was that it was time to turn talk of building homes and infrastructure into reality.

Getting community engagement right leads to places that reflect local identity, enhance quality of life, and stand the test of time, writes Ian Thompson of Counter Context.

Marketing can be a tricky business, rife with big fancy words and complex data comparisons. Behind all the technobabble it’s surprisingly simple, writes Lucy Lomas of Luma Marketing.

“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best – the people with real skin in the game,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, when announcing the scheme.

Opportunities for the North of England to shine at the international property expo have just increased, with Place North taking over a prominent suite overlooking the Croisette.

Comprising 120 firms across a range of disciplines, with at least 85% of them being SMEs, the framework will be maintained until 2029.

Place North’s very first conference focused on the energy transition and upgrading the region’s power networks shone a light on the ambitious renewable energy projects in the pipeline and highlighted the many challenges ahead for the development sector in the pursuit of net zero.

Power cuts, once rare, are now a strategic risk. Recent outages at Heathrow and across the Iberian Peninsula have highlighted just how fragile modern infrastructure becomes when the grid goes down, and how unprepared many systems remain, writes Peter Ridge of Cundall.

The Building Safety Act is reshaping the architecture profession, creating a clear split between ‘planning stage’ and ‘delivery stage’ practices. The implications for developers are significant, particularly when it comes to managing risk as projects progress through the regulatory Gateways, writes Quentin Keohane of Falconer Chester Hall.

MIPIM 2026 is going to be the biggest yet for Place. Join us in Manchester on Tuesday 23 September for an exciting announcement about next year’s offer.

Will Steve Reed provide the jumpstart to housing development that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has promised? A recent meeting with housebuilders has at least one developer optimistic.

The “harsh reality” of the construction industry and years of battling headwinds have resulted in the collapse of the 77-year-old Liverpool-based M&E engineering firm.

Angela Rayner’s departure on Friday did not come as a shock but will have implications for the property and construction sector, which is already fighting an uphill battle to deliver on the outgoing secretary of state’s 1.5m homes target, industry experts said.

After three and a half years as managing director of the development arm of Tritax Big Box REIT, Andrew Dickman will hand over the day to day running of the business to Jonathan Wallis while he takes on a strategic role.

Following Angela Rayner’s resignation, Keir Starmer has chosen the former environment secretary to succeed her as secretary of state for housing, communities, and local government.