A new levy will see developers pay a fairer share for affordable housing and local infrastructure such as roads, schools and GP surgeries. The infrastructure levy, which will replace section 106 contributions for most developments, will prevent developers from negotiating down the amount they contribute to the community when they bring forward new projects. Under Government proposals, the amount developers will have to pay will be calculated once a project is complete, instead of at the planning. This will make sure that councils benefit from increases in land value, which can be significant for large developments that take years to complete. Councils will also be given powers to set rates themselves, putting power in the hands of local leaders to deliver what their communities need. The levy will also give communities more control over how this money is spent. A portion of the money will be passed directly to communities as a ‘neighbourhood share’ to fund their infrastructure priorities, while councils will be required to engage with communities and create a infrastructure delivery strategy. Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:”Central to our levelling up mission is ensuring local communities can take back control. “The infrastructure levy will do just that – giving local leaders the tools to bring forward more affordable housing and the transport links, schools and GP surgeries  their communities need. It will also speed up delivery and put an end to lengthy negotiations with developers seeking to shirk their responsibility to provide for local people.” The levy is designed to deliver at least as much affordable housing as the current system. Councils will be given a new ‘right to require’, so they can dictate how much of the levy is delivered through affordable housing on-site in new developments and how much is given in cash for other infrastructure, such as new schools, transport links or GP surgeries. The ‘right to require’ will also speed up the process and stop developers from negotiating down their affordable housing contributions as they will have a legal obligation to meet the amount set by the council. The levy will be introduced as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, and a consultation on the Government’s proposed system has today been published. The Government recognises that the levy will be a significant change so it will be introduced through ‘test and learn’ over a 10-year period. A small number of councils will implement the levy initially, testing how it operates in practice, before being rolled out more widely, to make sure the Levy can successfully deliver on its objectives. The consultation will run for 12 weeks and the Government anticipates that it will consult further on proposed regulations, when the responses to this consultation have been fully considered The announcement follows the publication last week of a new action plan to speed up delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects such as transport links and offshore wind farms. The Government has also today published a consultation on a new Environmental Outcomes Report. This new approach will allow us to replace over-complicated EU regulations with a new system of environmental assessment that is tailored to the country’s needs and supports our ambitious environmental targets. The new system will enshrine at least the same overall level of environmental protection in law. It will allow the Government to streamline processes and reduce the burden of bureaucracy, making sure environmental assessment is focused on what really matters.

A solar farm with the capacity to supply clean, renewable energy to around 16,000 homes is to be developed on land between the villages of Preston and Bilton if approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Beverley-based developer Gamcap has submitted a planning application for the scheme, proposed for land bordering Neat Marsh Road, Wyton Road, and Old Fleet drain. The 49.99MW solar farm, called the Wyton Road Renewable Energy Project, will consist of photovoltaic cells that turn the sun’s energy into electricity and an advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 20MVA. The battery storage ensures excess power generated in daylight can be stored and delivered when needed most, even at night time. Previously, the output from renewable sources of electricity would be limited when the National Grid reached capacity but new storage technologies mean this is no longer the case, enabling more of the UK’s energy to come from renewable sources. Douglas Gardner, director of Gamcap, said the Wyton Road Renewable Energy Project will strengthen the Humber region’s reputation as a global leader in renewable technologies, as well as play a role in helping the region and wider UK achieve Net Zero. The solar farm will connect to the National Grid via the Saltend substation, which sits on the bank of the Humber Estuary just north of the village of Paull. Mr Gardner said: “The East Riding of Yorkshire is likely to be badly impacted by climate change because it is vulnerable to flooding and costal erosion, two things that are being accelerated by the problem. “Therefore, it is essential we act to reduce carbon emissions on a regional, national, and global scale as quickly as possible. “The Wyton Renewable Road Energy Project will generate enough electricity to power around 16,000 average-sized family homes without creating any carbon emissions. “The carbon emissions saved by this scheme each year are the equivalent to planting more than 1,000,000 trees or taking some 7,000 cars off the road, which is huge. “Not only that, schemes such as this help to increase the UK’s energy security, which is vital in the light of recent global events.” If planning permission for the project is granted, work is likely to start on site towards the end of 2024. The build time is estimated to be between 9-12 months. Chris Isard, director of Gamcap, said that the site had been chosen for a number of reasons including being flat, not being in an environmentally sensitive or protected area, and due to its close proximity to the Saltend grid connection. He stated that as well as creating the solar farm, Gamcap would be making a number of ecological improvements on the site, adding: “We are committed to increasing biodiversity in all shapes and forms. To this end, we will be planting native trees and hedgerows around the perimeter of the site as this will shield it from view, as well as providing new habitat for birds and mammals, and absorbing atmospheric carbon.” Mr Isard also confirmed that as part of the project, the developer will be creating a community fund. “This will be used to directly benefit local communities,” he said.

After 90 years at Banner Cross Hall, Henry Boot PLC is set to relocate its head office to the Isaacs Building in Sheffield city centre in Autumn 2023. The Isaacs Building is located on Charles Street, close to the company’s original city centre headquarters on Moore Street. Built in 1904-05 by paperhanging merchant David Isaacs, the building has been newly refurbished to provide over 38,375 sq ft of workspace. Henry Boot has taken 12,800 sq ft of space across the top three floors, providing its team, clients and partners with a contemporary, sustainable and flexible headquarters. The decision to move from Banner Cross Hall, which sits on the edge of Sheffield city centre close to the popular Ecclesall Road neighbourhood, follows a strategic review of the business in response to a shift in the post-pandemic working patterns of its people. Henry Boot has appointed Knight Frank to manage the sale of Banner Cross Hall and its circa 10 acres of grounds. The aim of the new HQ at the Isaacs Building is to support the ambitious growth plans of the business in a new environment, to encourage greater collaboration and cohesiveness across its diverse network of teams and to support its 2030 net zero carbon commitments. The seven-storey Isaacs Building has been developed with sustainability at its core achieving a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. To further enhance the building’s energy efficiency, it has been connected to Sheffield’s District Energy Network, providing low-cost, sustainable energy. The Isaacs Building sits within Sheffield’s Heart of the City development, which will create 1.5 million sq ft of new individually designed and repurposed buildings surrounded by enlivened streets and public spaces, including a new urban park for the city, as well as enhanced connectivity. Tim Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Henry Boot, said: “We have consulted with our team and undertaken a detailed assessment of our workspace requirements to ensure we have a headquarters fit for the long-term future of Henry Boot’s people and business. Banner Cross Hall has been a great home for us over the last 90 years, but as a progressive and forward-thinking business, we recognised change was needed to support the evolving needs of our people. “It was incredibly important to us to remain based in Sheffield. We are actively involved in several of the projects underway in the city and recognise the vital importance of the regions in delivering long-term growth for the UK. Being in the heart of Sheffield city centre, with all of the fantastic amenity and transport connectivity that brings, will make Henry Boot an even more attractive proposition for the amazing talent we have in the business and the future talent we’re looking to attract.” Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Henry Boot to the Heart of the City. Henry Boot is a long-established Sheffield company and it is fantastic to see them committing their future to our city centre and our ambitious plans. “We look forward to them moving in, alongside other organisations, making our vision of a modern, creative and flexible working environment a reality. This news is another crucial step in developing the resilience of our city centre to ensure it can support a strong economy and welcome investment.”

Plans for a new Student Centre at the University of York have been submitted for planning permission. Co-designed by architectural firms ADP Architecture and O’Donnell + Tuomey, the new building is intended to offer an iconic new arrival point on Campus West. The £35m building will be designed to the latest environmental, health and sustainability standards and will offer a variety of spaces, specifically designed for student use. These will include events and flat floor spaces, collaborative study areas, studios for student radio and TV, as well as a new home for both the university’s student unions and frontline student support services. There will also be places to eat and drink and a rooftop garden. It will be surrounded by landscaped gardens offering students spaces to sit and relax away from their studies. It is hoped that, following the planning permission process, building work will begin in the spring of 2024, with students able to access, and use, the new facilities in the academic year 2025/26. The building will be built largely from natural materials and renewable sources, including reconstituted stone with plans for solar panels, rooflights and solar controlled glazing. The centre will also reach high sustainability standards including ‘net zero carbon’ accredited by the UK Green Building Council. Planning approval has already been granted for the demolition of some existing vacant buildings to make way for the new centre and this work will start later in the spring. Professor Tracy Lightfoot, pro-vice-chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, at the University of York, said: “This is an important milestone in this project. In the last year we have spent a lot of time engaging and listening to our students to ensure that the plans truly reflect what they want, and need, from a building like this. “The spaces have been adapted to fit their feedback and we will continue to do this throughout the rest of the process. Our iconic new Student Centre promises to be a fantastic asset to our students, the University and the local community.” Helen O’Curry, director at ADP Architecture, said: “We are very proud to be working alongside the University of York and partnering with O’Donnell + Toumey to design and deliver this exciting project. “The Student Centre is a key strategic intervention into the wonderful York campus landscape. Located between iconic structures on the campus, the centre creates a visible and welcoming gateway to the university, providing significant public realm and dedicated student facilities. “The project has been a joy, with the whole design team working hard to deliver high aspirations for the University.” John Tuomey, of O’Donnell and Tuomey, the design-lead architects, said: “The University of York Student Centre will be a singular structure, a flexible plan with interconnecting multifunctional spaces, with a south facing winter garden and a walled orchard garden on the roof. “The architectural form, embodying principles of environmental responsibility, responds to the visual patterns of York Minster and is consistent with material characteristics of the University campus.”