The recent conflict involving Iran has sparked another global energy shock, sending oil and gas prices soaring and unsettling markets worldwide. Although such events may feel far removed, their impact reaches directly into everyday life in the UK—raising household energy bills and even causing fuel shortages in some rural areas. This situation highlights the urgent need to seriously consider sustainable energy as a more stable and resilient alternative.

From 1 April 2026, the Planning Inspectorate will introduce a “one-chance submission” approach for most planning appeals in England. Appeals for applications submitted after this date will generally follow a new expedited Part 1 written representations procedure, prioritising evidence at the application stage. Read how this affects you.

The government’s Warm Homes Plan is a welcome signal of intent for the future reliance on gas, the planet and energy bill reduction. But beware, you cannot heat a poorly performing house efficiently — no matter what technology you bolt on!

The new "Grey Belt" concept, unlocks previously developed sites within the Green Belt for regeneration and housing, marking a key shift in UK planning policy. This legislative change provides new opportunities on constrained sites, placing Planners and Architects in a crucial role to shape this exciting new landscape.

New Planning Fees were introduced on 1 April 2025, but how do these affect Homeowners and Developers and what impact will this have on Local Planning Departments.

S106 Agreements are all about finding a balance. For developers, these agreements help make sure your project fits well with the local area, and create better places to live and work. We’ve successfully secured a range of contributions for on and off-site improvements for developers. Crucially, some of these off-site improvements would have taken valuable development space on-site without our careful input