Hyndburn submits Local Plan for inspection

Planning inspectors have told the local authority it can formally adopt what it bills as the country’s first brownfield-only Local Plan, replacing a 25-year old development framework.

Operator Swissport’s £1.8m investment into an upgraded pre-flight offer at Liverpool John Lennon Airport has seen work start, with fitout contractor DB Designs carrying out works drawn up by architect DV8 Designs.

Redevelopment of the 50,000 sq ft M60-adjacent office building’s seven-acre site is one option floated by vendor Regional REIT.

The construction industry is wary of an widening skills gap, with an ageing talent pool and more workers leaving the industry than joining, the future of construction needs the industry to adapt and act now, according to Caroline Compton-James, deputy chief executive of SCAPE.

Coral Products has sold the North and South buildings at Haydock Industrial Estate, comprising a combined 20,800 sq ft, to the firm for £1.7m.

Landlord Warehouse REIT has agreed terms with the logistics provider for a 10-year renewal on its 375,000 sq ft unit at Midpoint 18, where it will pay a new headline rent.

The Altrincham-based healthcare investor has told KKR and Stonepeak Partners it would be minded to recommend shareholders accept the deal, following an increased indicative offer.

At this year’s MIPIM, I expect to hear a great many conversations around the need for greater collaboration, new towns, planning issues and the move from Green Belt to Grey Belt, and most particularly, the inexorable rise of the North, writes Thomas Pearson of JMW.

Deborah McLaughlin is charged with raising the zone’s profile after her appointment was finalised by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Tameside Council.

Network Space’s Catherine Chilvers has been appointed as the managing director of the town’s mayoral development corporation as the zone under its remit looks set to more than double in size.

One of the region’s top planning lawyers died earlier this month after a battle with cancer.

Stephanie Cox is director at environmental consultant E3P and will take the reins as North West Chair for 2025-26, while Louise Emmott, managing director at Kingsdene, will be her deputy.

Jon Neville has replaced Duncan Firth as the Trafford-based construction consultancy’s managing director with immediate effect.

Citing concerns over CR Construction’s speed of delivery, developer Far East Consortium has taken back control of the three-tower project, which looks to bring 634 homes to Manchester’s £4bn Victoria North masterplan.

The asking price for the 190,000 sq ft asset, close to Manchester Airport, is £19.5m.

Filling in as acting chief executive since October, Shelley Kipling will take on the council’s senior officer role full-time.

John Chesworth has sold the business to a group of partners led by the law firm’s head of property and construction Simon England.

Rob Woods has returned to Cushman & Wakefield as partner 16 years after leaving the firm for CBRE.

The Altrincham law firm has expanded its commercial property team with the appointment of Andrew Stone.