Surrounded by a great team doing important work: life in local plans Feb 6, 2026 Planning inspectors work independently, but they are far from alone. “When I joined, I felt like I was joining a very select band of people,” says Paul Griffiths, who has been an inspector for 26 years. “There is a real esprit de corps about it. We all look after each other, and we all help each other […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
From practice to examination: a different kind of career move Feb 6, 2026 What is it really like to become a planning inspector? As it launches a major recruitment drive for planning inspectors, The Planning Inspectorate asked inspectors to share their thoughts on the role. The decision to apply Paul Griffiths spent 26 years as an architect before joining the Planning Inspectorate. His path wasn’t a straight line into planning—it rarely is. “I trained as an […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
Why England’s planning system needs voices from across the built environment Feb 6, 2026 England’s planning system is entering its most significant period of transformation in decades. From this January, a new three-gateway system is reshaping how local plans are developed and examined, with a streamlined 30-month timeline replacing processes that have stretched out over years. The scale of the challenge is substantial. With the government committed to delivering 1.5 million homes, robust local plans […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
What Does Inclusive Investment Really Mean and Why UKREiiF is the Place It Happens Feb 5, 2026 Inclusive investment isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a movement to reshape the way money flows, ensuring that opportunities aren’t limited to a select few but are accessible to a diverse range of people, particularly those historically underserved by traditional financial systems. At its core, inclusive investment is about designing strategies, products, and processes that are […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
What Does Inclusive Investment Really Mean and Why UKREiiF is the Place It Happens Feb 2, 2026 Inclusive investment isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a movement to reshape the way money flows, ensuring that opportunities aren’t limited to a select few but are accessible to a diverse range of people, particularly those historically underserved by traditional financial systems. At its core, inclusive investment is about designing strategies, products, and processes that are […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
The Great Housing Development Summit announced for UKREiiF 2026 Jan 29, 2026 The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) have announced that The Great Housing Development Summit will take place as part of its annual event, held in Leeds from 19–21 May. Hosted by the Housing & Development Network (HDN) and the National Sales Group (NSG), the Housing Development Summit is dedicated to housing policy, […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
Fiera Real Estate and Wrenbridge Secure £110m Prime Industrial Sites for JV with UK institution Jan 26, 2026 Fiera Real Estate (“Fiera”) has acquired two prime UK industrial development sites in Wimbledon and Bury St Edmunds on behalf of its joint venture (“JV”) with a UK institution. They will be developed by Fiera and Wrenbridge, with a combined Gross Development Value of over £110m. The JV’s first acquisition, made from Schroders, is a […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
Song Capital provides £210m long-term refinancing to Hamberley Care Homes Jan 26, 2026 Song Capital has completed a £210m long-term refinancing facility for Hamberley Care Homes, strengthening the luxury care home operator’s funding platform and supporting its next phase of growth in the UK. The facility refinances existing debt and provides Hamberley with long-term capital to continue investing across its portfolio and to fund further development. Hamberley Care […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
Grainger and Places for London agree £68.4m forward-funded BTR deal in West London Jan 26, 2026 Grainger’s Connected Living London (CLL) joint venture with Places for London has agreed to forward fund and acquire a 195-home build-to-rent scheme in West London for around £68.4m. The scheme will be delivered at Chiswick Reach, a regeneration site on former railway land off Bollo Lane, close to Chiswick Park Underground station and South Acton […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
Cortland Secures £129 Million Refinancing for Landmark 50‑Storey Salford Build‑to‑Rent Tower Jan 26, 2026 Cortland has secured a £129 million fixed-rate loan from Canada Life Asset Management to refinance its 50-storey build-to-rent tower at Colliers Yard in Salford, Greater Manchester. The facility replaces Cortland’s existing debt on the recently completed scheme, which comprises 559 apartments and resident amenity space, and marks the first transaction between Cortland and Canada Life […] Posted by: Mya Driver Read more
