Regeneration
The Future of town centres
Councils, ‘as the ultimate reserve buyer with wider civic responsibilities’ are likely to end up owning shopping centres, says Richard White. He offers some advice on how to make high streets work.
Trust districts to do what’s needed
A lower PWLB borrowing rate would make a significant difference to the viability and deliverability of regeneration schemes, argues Simone Hines.
Where next for high streets and city centres?
The Towns Fund selection process was controversial, but high streets and city centres face a bigger existential crisis. Ann McGauran reports.
Grappling with the long tail of the pandemic
It doesn’t matter how much the capacity and availability of testing is increased or how much the contact-tracing system is improved if people are simply going to ignore the instructions, says Claire Kober.
Towns Fund selection ‘warps economy’
Controversy over the selection process for the Towns Fund has led a campaign group to call for an end to ‘first past the post politics’.
Modular housing a 'game-changer' for housing and jobs, experts claim
Modular housing is a ‘game changer’ and could deliver 75,000 homes a year, a report from experts has claimed.
How councils can reshape the future of high streets
Local authorities—many of whom are landlords — now have a unique opportunity to regenerate and transform our high streets for the future, say Andrew Knowles and Leena Gillespie.
Housing MJ: The rebuild starts here
Amid the gloom of the current housing crisis, Jackie Sadek says local authorities can take the lead in forging the partnerships that can help rebuild our homes and local economies.
Salford’s development partnership strengthens
The pandemic has had a far-reaching impact, but the English Cities Fund and Salford City Council continue to deliver their long term vision for the city, says Phil Mayall.
Green recovery and growth should be the golden thread for counties
Peter French says the devolution White Paper provides 'an opportune moment for the Government to empower places and give counties the powers and funding they need to level-up and ensure everyone everywhere has a bright future'.
On solid ground?
Despite some interesting proposals, Sir Bob Neill has a mixed reaction to the latest planning White Paper and fears other areas of the housebuilding process need assessing first.
Building back the Thames Estuary
The Thames Estuary can make a real contribution to the economy – but it will need the freedom to take a different approach, says Kate Willard.
Lancashire lays its foundations for recovery
Lancashire CC and its partners are having a ‘decisive, honest and evidence-based conversation with Government’ aimed at moving the economy in the right direction, says Stephen Young.
Getting ready for the Towns Fund
Mike Palin says five key areas of concerns remain about the Towns Fund bidding process – including a lack of clarity about the detail required in the first stage of submissions.
‘Give places the funding to rebuild’
Nigel Riglar says we need to aim for more than a simple recovery, as our problems are too pressing, and councils must respond collectively to make the case for greater funding.
Levelling-up: we’ve been here before and we need it to change
Levelling-up is not new, says Mike Palin. He argues we must get better at delivering sub-national economic growth, and he presents a six-point plan for what needs to change.
Coastal resorts face both challenges and opportunities
Additional Government funding is essential not only to support in-year budgets, but to 'ensure delivery of our regeneration ambitions does not falter, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Government appoints Arup-led consortium for £3.6bn Towns Fund delivery
The engineering company Arup has been appointed to lead a consortium to help local authorities access the £3.6bn Towns Fund.
Five compelling reasons why HS2East must be given same priority as HS2West
It is vital that the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North states categorically that HS2 east will be built concurrently with HS2 west, argues Cllr Judith Blake.
Towns and cities as a testbed for innovation
Tom Bridges and Siri Arntzen explain how testbeds can be successfully used to experiment our way towards the high streets of the future.
