New regional design blueprint drawn up for combined authority schemes Jun 3, 2019 A regional design charter is being drawn up by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Patricia Willoughby, Head of Housing & Regeneration Policy at the WMCA, revealed during the placemaking session at the MDC that mayor Andy Street’s body is working on the production of a regional design charter. The charter would be used in tandem […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Brexit collapse in EU students will fuel skills gaps Jun 3, 2019 A drop in the number of EU students attending UK universities could open big skills gap in large areas of the economy like construction, our event has heard. Speaking on the panel of the Universities session at the MDC, Prof Ian Marshall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University, said: “The changes Brexit could introduce to the […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Local Enterprise Partnership issues plea for funding certainty Jun 3, 2019 Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) require longer term funding certainty from the government in the upcoming spending review to continue making progress. Sarah Middleton, Chief Executive of the Black Country LEP, told delegates that there are “lots of fantastic projects” under way across the midlands. As an example of the progress that has been achieved by […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Developer funds infrastructure to deliver new development project Jun 3, 2019 A logistics developer has agreed to pay for and deliver the first phase of a bypass after Northamptonshire County Council lost its funding for the project. Jonathan Wallis, Development Director of DB Symmetry, told delegates that the company is taking over the project so that it can deliver the plans for its Symmetry Park at […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Lords ignored Midlands, says regional transport boss Jun 3, 2019 The midlands were “largely ignored” by a recent damning House of Lords committee report into High Speed 2, the Leader of the region’s transport body told the Midlands Development Conference Maria Machancoses, Director of Midlands Connect, used her keynote presentation to kick off the conference’s HS2 session by criticising the Lords economic affairs committee report […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Warning that regions must speak clearly to ministers to deliver ‘critical peice of national investment’ – HS2 Jun 3, 2019 Work on HS2 is not too far advanced for the project to be cancelled, the Chair of the umbrella body for East Midlands Councils has warned. Speaking on the Midlands Development Conference East Midlands Councils Chair Andrew Pritchard, said: “The project is not so far down the track that it couldn’t be cancelled. We need […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Brexit; the inside view from the Midlands construction and property industry May 28, 2019 Following our Brexit straw poll at our BE Premier Leaders Club (poll results here) in May 2019, Built Environment Networking decided to consult our 300 strong audience at the Midlands Development Conference to gauge their opinion on current political developments. The poll took place before Prime Minister Theresa May’s resignation but nevertheless the same question […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
DB Symettry gain green light for 136-acre scheme May 23, 2019 DB Symettry have been given the thumbs up for a major 136-acre scheme set to be transformed into a new logistics hub. The firm, who were recently acquired by Tritax Big Box REIT to create the largest portfolio of prime ‘Big Box’ logistics assets across the UK, now have outline permission to deliver 2.31m sq […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
“We need your help” May 19, 2019 As hosts of the leading built environment networking events, we are always looking at ways we can improve and modernise to ensure we are providing everyone with an outstanding experience. We have recently partnered with Constructing Rainbows to look at ways we can encourage a more diverse audience to our events. We know that by […] Posted by: Nathan Spencer Read more
Exclusive Q&A from Nottingham Trent University May 16, 2019 The property, development, infrastructure and construction industries are set to come together on the 23rd May at the Midlands Development Conference with one thing in mind – driving growth within the economy. Nottingham Trent University is one of two major higher education institutions in the city of Nottingham, and the 13th largest in the UK. Tell us […] Posted by: Adil Kotia Read more
