Welcome to the UKREiiF opinion series! We’ve gained exclusive access to the opinions of leaders from across our industry. Stay tuned to find out thoughts on the important issues that affect the UK Built Environment.

By Haroon Akram, Director of Strategy, Investment and Business Development at Harworth Group.

In the heart of Yorkshire, a transformation is unfolding. A former coal mining site is blossoming into a beacon of economic growth and community regeneration. This isn’t merely a tale of bricks and mortar but a testament to the potency of vision, collaboration, and long-term strategy.

I’ve had the privilege of being deeply involved in the Waverley project, a flagship development that stands as a testament to the potential of regeneration. This 740-acre site, once emblematic of a bygone industrial era, is now Yorkshire’s largest mixed-use development. But this metamorphosis didn’t transpire overnight. It demanded decades of planning, investment, and collaboration.

The journey commenced in the 1990s, when the mines closed, leaving behind a legacy of economic challenges. The remediation of the site was no small task, taking a decade to erase all traces of its coal mining history. But by 2012, the first house was erected, and since then, we’ve delivered up to 1900 homes. Beyond residential spaces, we’ve also cultivated an advanced manufacturing park, attracting global brands like Boeing and McLaren Automotive.

But why is this significant? Because regeneration isn’t solely about buildings. It’s about people. It’s about crafting opportunities for generations to come. At Waverley, we’ve generated more jobs than existed during its coal mining days. This means young individuals in the area now have avenues to build their futures without migrating to urban centres in search of employment.

However, the path to regeneration isn’t devoid of challenges. The UK’s planning system, for instance, often grapples with keeping pace with the dynamic needs of contemporary development. Delays in planning approvals can hinder economic growth, and the decline in planning applications being submitted is a stark indicator of structural disincentives.

To genuinely compete on the global stage, the UK requires a reformed planning system that is flexible and responsive. We need a regional planning regime that benefits from local involvement and accountability. We need long-term funding structures that aren’t tethered to political cycles. And most crucially, we need to foster collaboration across all stakeholders, from local authorities to global investors.

This is where platforms like UKREIIF can be pivotal in facilitating ongoing collaborations of this nature. It’s a unique space where industry leaders can converge, exchange insights, and forge partnerships. The relationships and networks cultivated at UKREIIF have been invaluable. It’s allowed us to meet the very individuals who can instigate genuine change, making it a key part of our strategic approach to growing our business.

Looking forward, the UK holds the potential to be a global frontrunner in regeneration. But to realise this, we need a holistic approach. We must contemplate infrastructure, from transport to energy. We must consider the needs of both urban centres and out-of-town communities. And above all, we must prioritise people, ensuring that regeneration projects deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to local communities.

In conclusion, regeneration is more than just a buzzword. It’s a vision for the future, a commitment to crafting spaces that are sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous. At Harworth, we’re proud to be at the vanguard of this movement, and with the support of platforms like UKREIIF, we’re enthused about the opportunities that await.