Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Councils urge government to make prompt re-oganisation decision
Image: Peterborough - courtesy Webb Aviation : Council leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are calling on the government's new Secretary of State to make an early decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals for the area. Cambridge City Council says: 'Recently the government announced decisions on reorganisation proposals in 14 areas across the country. However, while the four options submitted by councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were con
Landmark mixed-use development for Norwich City Centre granted planning permission
Image: CGI of regenerated Premier inn site by the River Wensum - courtesy of Sheppard Robson Working on behalf of Whitbread PLC, Sheppard Robson has been granted planning permission from Norwich City Council to regenerate the Premier Inn Norwich City Centre (Norwich Nelson) site, transforming a key gateway near the train station. Sheppard Robson says: 'The masterplan envisages revitalising this underused site into a mixed-use development that provides enhanced green public
HKS launches regenerative design team
Image: courtesy of HKS HKS has launched a new Regenerative Design team, deepening the firm’s commitment to a systems-thinking approach to design that aims to create net-positive impact for people, planet and ecosystems across projects and practices. “Regenerative design reflects a necessary shift in how we think about the built environment—moving beyond reducing harm to creating places that actively restore and strengthen ecological and community systems,” said Tony Montalto
Museums in Wales given funding given £5.28 m funding boost
Image: Holyhead Maritime Museum, courtesy of visitanglesey.co.uk Museums are among 31 organisations benefiting from new project funding from the Welsh Government, reports the Museums Association. The £5.28m package is designed to improve access to culture, protect collections and modernise facilities for communities. The funding, which also includes money for archives and libraries, has been given to a range of different organisations, from large local authority services to s
REPORT: Future Cities Forum's first half 2026 event highlights
Image: Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford, courtesy NBBJ Future Cities Forum is releasing report highlights from the first half of this year, showcasing some of the discussions it has held and the contributors involved. Its event discussions have been on science hub development, university real estate investment, new towns and the Oxcam Arc, tall buildings, devolution and growth in Oxfordshire, the City of Culture 2029 and Cambridgeshire's emergence under the Greate
Glasgow's Union Street opens in time for the Commonwealth Games
Image: courtesy of Glasgow City Council A key phase in the recovery from the fire in Glasgow's Union Street has taken place with the street fully reopening to pedestrians and vehicles. The last remaining works - road and pavement restoration, and hoarding installation ahead of it being dressed for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has now been completed. Glasgow City Council reports that it has appointed an architectural practice - O'DonnellBrown - to develop a concept
Oxford City Council reports major local authority reorganisation
Image: Oxford's Cornmarket Oxford City Council has reported that the Government has announced that Oxfordshire and West Berkshire’s seven existing councils will be replaced by three unitary councils on 1 April 2028. These unitary councils will be: Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfo
LDA Design on a new science and leisure destination for Oxford
Image: CGI of proposed new science and leisure destination at the Ozone Leisure Park - courtesy Pioneer LDA Design has been highlighting a plan for a new science and leisure destination on the site of the Ozone Leisure Park in Oxford that has been given the go ahead by Oxford City Council in a unanimous decision by the Planning Committee. The proposed development, put forward by Pioneer Group and Firoka, will transform the current site to create new lab and workspace to suppo
Approval expected for Water Street, Manchester after public backs new neighbourhood
Image: courtesy Manchester City Council Manchester City Council’s executive is expected to approve an ambitious vision for the Water Street neighbourhood following overwhelming public support for proposals set out in a public consultation earlier this year. More than 90% of respondents supported the key principles of the draft Water Street Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) update that will create a new city centre district developed around a new urban park. Cllr Gavin Wh
Historic Royal Palaces announces £70 million for new learning facilities at the Tower of London
Image: CGI of proposed Julia Rausing Learning Centre at the Tower of London - courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces Historic Royal Palaces has announced a major investment in its historic Tower of London site, which will see the development of new learning centres, a dedicated community space for local residents, a “green classroom” in the moat, and an archive study centre, reports the Museums Association. Tomorrow’s Tower, the long-term strategy for the UNESCO World Heritage Si