12 days of built environment news
It’s certainly been a landmark year for the built environment - with planning and development topics rarely out of the headlines. Streamlining national development has dominated the political agenda, driving near-constant debate since the year began.
The updated National Planning Policy Framework, released just before Christmas last year, reshaped core planning parameters - from land categorisation to housing targets-and quickly proved both influential and divisive across the sector. But those updates were only the first step in the government’s wider 2025 reform programme, with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill now awaiting Royal Assent. Alongside these major policy shifts, we’ve seen record growth in applications for new housing units, as highlighted in our recent Planning Application Index, a marked rise in emerging digital infrastructure such as battery storage facilities and data centres, and the long-awaited announcement of the locations for the government’s 12 new towns.
To mark the festive season – and to help you re-cap some of the year’s most interesting topics we're sharing 12 Days of Built Environment News - a curated round-up of key stories from late 2025. This list spotlights the key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the UK property and development landscape. So, grab a mince pie, settle in, and catch up on the our top 12 trending stories!
1. New Home Accelerator announces new wave of projects
In August, the Government’s New Homes Accelerator programme - launched to help progress stalled sites - reported that it had already supported the delivery of more than 10,000 new homes, and revealed six new priority sites including Guildford, Aylesbury, Somerset, Wigan, and London.
2. New towns locations revealed
At the end of September, the government announced 12 recommended sites for new towns and pledged to begin work on three before the next election. The long-awaited update has sparked debate around land assembly, contributions to housing targets, and the overall feasibility of the programme. The House of Lords meanwhile continue to conduct their ongoing inquiry into the projects’ delivery potential, whilst government has confirmed that local opposition will not prevent the government from progressing development in the recommended locations.
3. Developers will be able to meet environmental obligations via new ‘Nature Restoration’ fund
Proposals which form part of the recently approved Planning and Infrastructure Bill will allow developers to meet certain environmental requirements by contributing to a “Nature Restoration Fund” - instead of completing full mitigation onsite.
4. Housing projects near train stations to be given a ‘default yes’
In November, it was announced the government will give automatic support to planning applications for homes close to well-connected train or tram stations - including some green belt sites - subject to new rules. TerraQuest CEO Geoff Keal responded; “Focusing new homes around established stations and transport corridors presents a practical and effective way to grow communities. With key infrastructure already in place, this offers a cost-efficient route to increasing housing supply.”
5. Industry responds to Autumn Budget 2025
Built-environment leaders, including Geoff Keal, have welcomed positive measures like support for apprenticeships and £48million to recruit new planners, whilst elsewhere experts have voiced concerns that new tax measures - including a “mansion tax” - could slow investment and make some development projects less viable..
6. Planning applications for new homes increase by two-thirds in a year
TerraQuest’s most recent Planning Application Index for Q3 of 2025 showed that applications for new housing units are at their highest point since the end of 2021, showing positive developer intent and increased early-stage confidence.
7. Construction slowdown and infrastructure pressures
The UK construction output took a hit in November 2025, with falls across residential, commercial, and civil engineering sectors. Industry experts attribute the slowdown largely to post-Budget uncertainty, highlighting the importance of careful planning and risk management.
8. West Midlands brownfield land could deliver 191,000 homes
A new report from CPRE shows the West Midlands has enough brownfield land to accommodate over 191,000 new homes - many of which already have full or outline planning permission. Developers and landowners could be sitting on hidden opportunities waiting to be unlocked.
9. £500 million allocated to landscape recovery projects
At the start of December, the government published a strengthened Environmental Improvement Plan setting a five-year course for cleaner air and water, major habitat restoration and green economic growth backed by over £500 million for landscape recovery and £85 million for peatlands.
10. Government launches new system for local plan creation, launching early 2026
The new system means local authorities must produce and adopt a local plan within 30 months, creating more certainty for developers, investors and communities. Plans will pass through three formal stages assessed by the Planning Inspectorate and must use standardised data formats and digital tools.
11. Four projects celebrate ULI Europe awards for excellence
The 2025 ULI Europe Awards have recognised four outstanding developments: a social housing project in Milan, a converted brewery-school in Brussels, a life-sciences hub in Stockholm, and a new acute-care hospital in Birmingham. All demonstrate excellence in architecture, community impact, and sustainable regeneration.
12. UK’s largest all-timber office to rise in Clerkenwell
McLaren Construction has been appointed to build Xylo, a 100,000 sq ft, nine-storey office that will be the UK’s largest all-timber frame workplace when complete. The project aims to slash carbon and set a benchmark for sustainable office construction.
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