At the Landed x LSH breakfast panel during UKREiiF, industry experts gathered to dissect the pressing issues facing the UK residential development market. From escalating build costs and strategic landowner legacy planning to severe water infrastructure capacity limits and housing association targets, the panel highlights why cross-sector collaboration is the ultimate tool to unlock stalled sites.

The draft NPPF suggests making cash in lieu of on-site affordable housing easier to use for medium developments. While this flexibility can unlock stalled SME schemes struggling with rigid policies and limited registered provider appetite , it also carries major risks. Chris Green explains why commuted sums must be used carefully with strict safeguards to avoid turning cash into a deferral mechanism rather than a real housing solution.

With affordable housing needs reaching 180,000 homes a year, the current system of relying on private developer cross-subsidy is falling short. James Cogan explores why rigid quotas are leaving developments on the drawing board and argues for a shift toward strategic cash-in-lieu use and direct public sector delivery to fix our broken housing model.

A professional corporate headshot of a man with short grey-and-brown hair, captured from the chest up. He is facing the camera directly with a calm and welcoming expression. He is wearing a dark grey or black pinstripe suit jacket, a light blue collared dress shirt, and a vibrant red tie adorned with a subtle dark pattern. The entire photograph is set against a seamless, solid white backdrop.

Held at the LSH Leeds office during UKREiiF, the inaugural 'Landowner Forum' breakfast panel brought industry experts together to tackle the critical issues slowing down UK residential development. From planning updates and water infrastructure bottlenecks to strategic landowner legacy planning, the panel explores how cross-sector collaboration can unlock stalled sites and restore market momentum.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill promises to hand communities a new right to buy local assets, from empty pubs to shops. While the aim is to stimulate local pride and tackle high street decline, the policy echoes the "Community Right to Bid" introduced in 2011—a process that proved cumbersome and rarely successful. For this new initiative to be transformative rather than just a "well-meaning echo," the government must provide the funding and technical sup

Milton Keynes is undergoing a remarkable transformation from a post-war new town to a dynamic "Renewed Town." With plans for 60,000 new homes, a cutting-edge Mass Rapid Transit system, and a £15bn tech-driven economy, the city is setting a new standard for sustainable urban development in the UK.

To meet the UK's goal of delivering 1.5 million homes, local authorities must move beyond simple numerical targets. By aligning housing delivery with demographic realities—such as the 33.8-year average age of first-time buyers and an ageing population—councils can create sustainable communities that support both economic growth and social wellbeing.

As London prepares for the 2026 London Plan, Knight Frank analyst Kat Rowland examines the feasibility of building 880,000 homes. Discover the challenges of fragmented planning data and how geospatial insights are uncovering the "big picture" of housing delivery, connectivity, and Green Belt impact.

With a pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes, the Labour government is moving to "oil the wheels" of the planning system. But can planning reform alone solve the deep-rooted imbalance between rising build costs and the need for affordable housing?.

Dr Steven Norris, Executive Director at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), summarises the findings of the 6th annual LSH/Revo survey, which confirms that successful town centre revitalization must look "beyond retail." The top initiative identified by respondents is the provision of new mixed-tenure homes (for the first time), followed by repurposing vacant retail space. The report also shows strong support for devolution and consistently ranks joint ventures/public-private partner

Kim Grieveson of Avison Young outlines the significant opportunity presented by the UK's AI Growth Zones initiative, backed by £600m in dedicated funding, with Culham Campus, Abingdon as the first location. She argues that for long-term success, these zones must be designed not just for technological advancement, but as catalysts for sustainable regeneration, requiring integration with net zero targets, renewable energy, and regional economic inclusion.

Glen Richardson of Carter Jonas, who helped create the Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework, explains why rivers are crucial for breathing life back into communities. He argues that while rivers were once used for transportation, they are now vital cultural and natural assets that drive wellbeing and income. The key to successful river regeneration, as seen in Abingdon and Newcastle, lies in reconnecting town centres to the waterfront and strategically managing challenges

Chris Worman, MBE, a veteran in the parks industry, advocates for recognizing parks and green spaces as essential infrastructure due to their significant health benefits, arguing that undervaluing these areas contributes to rising healthcare costs.

Tom Procter and Yvette Black of JLL explore the potential of Open Mosaic Habitats (OMHs) in meeting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. They highlight how transforming brownfield sites into habitat banks can not only achieve ecological targets but also generate revenue, offering a unique opportunity for local authorities and developers.

Rebekah Formosa of Lambert Smith Hampton outlines how the government's 2025 Industrial and Infrastructure Strategies present a blueprint for transforming UK cities and towns. She emphasizes the critical role of local authorities in securing funding by adopting a holistic approach to regeneration that integrates social, environmental, and economic value.

With the Community Ownership Fund closed, Mark Walton of Shared Assets argues that local authorities are now crucial in supporting community asset ownership, acting as landowners, facilitators, and regulators to empower communities and revitalize neighborhoods

Explore the evolving concept of "legacy" in housing developments with experts Johnny Clayton and James Cordery of Carter Jonas. This article delves into how legacy principles, rooted in the work of The King's Foundation, are shaping new communities, adding value, and influencing the future of urban design and strategic land projects.

Jemma Shorrock argues that achieving the government's ambitious housing targets requires a stronger partnership between public and private sectors and increased capacity within local authorities. She highlights the critical shortage of planning officers and the need for renewed investment in the front line to prevent housing applications from stalling.

Dan Gordon, a Senior Policy Advisor at MHCLG, details the High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) powers introduced to combat high street vacancy. He explains how these new regulations, effective from December 2024, empower local authorities to address persistent empty units and stimulate regeneration, citing a successful early intervention in Barnsley.