United Kingdom: Construction & Planning

Building owners and leaseholders now have access to expanded government funding through the Cladding Safety Scheme, which has been extended to include multi-occupied residential buildings under 11 metres in height. Applications for this targeted funding open on 17 August 2026 and close on 9 October 2026, with priority given to buildings presenting the most critical fire safety risks as assessed under the PAS9980 code of practice. Only the building's Responsible Entity can apply, and early submission is cruc

The Building Safety Levy, set to take effect on 1 October 2026, will introduce a new charging regime for developers delivering new homes in England. This discussion examines the levy's scope, rates, exemptions, and practical challenges developers face when assessing eligibility for reliefs and managing cashflow implications. Understanding the levy's requirements and preparing building control applications now will be critical to avoiding delays to completion and sales programmes.

Academy Trusts face new challenges as the Department for Education transitions to digital approval processes and local government reorganisation creates uncertainty around property transactions. Understanding these procedural changes and their implications for land dealings has become essential for educational institutions navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

Following the UK's hottest summer on record in 2026, extreme heat has emerged as a critical climate risk for the real estate sector. Property owners, developers, investors and occupiers must now assess how prepared their assets are to withstand prolonged periods of extreme temperatures, as overheating presents operational, financial and resilience challenges that extend far beyond traditional flood risk considerations.

The High Court has delivered three landmark rulings clarifying payment mechanisms under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, the conclusive effect of JCT Final Statements...

The UK government has introduced a radical new National Planning Policy Framework alongside groundbreaking Nature Restoration Levy Regulations, fundamentally reshaping how development impacts on protected habitats are managed. This policy shift moves away from project-by-project environmental assessments toward strategic-scale nature restoration funded through a developer levy system. Will this new approach successfully balance the urgent need for housing and infrastructure with legal obligations to restore

Commercial lease terminations often trigger complex financial obligations between landlords and tenants regarding property condition and repairs. Understanding dilapidations—the legal framework governing these end-of-lease responsibilities—is crucial for both parties to avoid costly disputes and ensure proper settlement of repair costs and property restoration requirements.

Owning a property in Spain often begins with excitement. A retirement plan, a family holiday home, an investment for the years ahead. Unfortunately, it is often only after someone dies that families discover owning property in another country creates legal and administrative issues they had never anticipated.

Opening a children's home requires more than just Ofsted registration. Providers increasingly face complex challenges where planning law and social care regulation intersect, creating potential obstacles that can delay or derail registration applications. Understanding how staffing arrangements, property use, and operational models affect both planning permissions and regulatory compliance has become essential for successful children's home establishment.