VIDEO | The top three Northern developments of 2025

Formerly of Leeds City Council and Arup, Bridges is one of five executive directors to step into the newly created role nationwide as the government agency looks to deepen its collaboration with Mayors and local leaders in a bid to boost the delivery of homes and communities.

After £4bn of investment over the past decade, the East Coast Main Line is seeing its biggest timetable change in 10 years, nearly doubling services between Newcastle and King’s Cross and strengthening links between London, Yorkshire, the North East, and Scotland.

Warehouses are no longer the freezing, utilitarian buildings of the 1980s – today’s industrial and logistics facilities target occupiers who demand strong sustainability credentials, quality offices, and green spaces, according to Stuart Murray, national customer development and leasing director at Harworth.

There was a mixed response to Rachel Reeves’s speech, with her warm words for the built environment welcomed but criticism for the lack of ammunition she has given to housebuilders. Caddick, Avison Young, Ridge & Partners, Close Brothers and more, share their thoughts.

Citing Labour’s “overhaul” of the planning system as proof that this government is an agent of change, chancellor Rachel Reeves was borderline buoyant throughout her Budget speech despite the early release of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s report stealing much of her thunder.

England’s devolved regions are set to gain new powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy, enabling investment in local transport, infrastructure and the visitor economy.

As part of a drive towards doubling the size of its food business, the retailer is looking for another 500 stores across the UK.

Government wants the UK to have the third most important life sciences economy worldwide by 2035. The North is busy doing its part to help achieve that goal by delivering millions of square feet of lab and research and development space, attracting global power players like Convatec, and empowering our leading academic research.

Mayors and local leaders from across the North of England have penned an open letter to Rachel Reeves outlining their three key priorities for government action: full delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, a new devolved funding settlement to support business growth, and measures to tackle child poverty.