Regeneration, resilience and the infrastructure behind growth

This week's stories demonstrate that while markets continue to navigate economic and regulatory pressures, investment in the places, infrastructure and assets that support future growth remains firmly on the agenda.

At the policy level, perhaps the most significant announcement came from Government's confirmation that it intends to raise Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for larger rented commercial buildings. From 2031, privately rented buildings over 1,000 square metres will be expected to achieve an EPC B rating where improvements are cost-effective.

For owners, investors and occupiers alike, the implications are substantial. The announcement provides a clear signal on the future direction of commercial property regulation and is likely to influence investment decisions, refurbishment programmes and asset values across multiple sectors over the coming years.

Elsewhere, the growing importance of infrastructure was evident in several very different stories.

Holtec and EDF's plans for a new small modular reactor development at the former Cottam power station site highlight how former industrial assets are being repurposed to support the UK's future energy requirements.

At the same time, BESA used World Refrigeration Day to draw attention to another often-overlooked part of modern infrastructure: cooling systems. As data centres expand, temperatures rise and buildings become more technologically sophisticated, the role of cooling and climate resilience is becoming increasingly critical across the built environment.

Regeneration also featured prominently this week. Manchester United's plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium understandably attracted headlines, but the wider story is arguably even more significant. The proposed stadium forms part of a much larger 370-acre regeneration programme around Old Trafford that could deliver 15,000 homes, tens of thousands of jobs and a major new mixed-use district.

It is another example of how major anchor projects can act as catalysts for broader economic development and place-making – see last week’s news on the Camden Film Quarter development.

Meanwhile, Savills' latest housing forecast provided a timely reminder of the challenges facing residential delivery across England. While overall housing completions are expected to remain well below government targets, one notable finding was the relative resilience of the Build-to-Rent sector.

Delivery is forecast to soften slightly, but far less dramatically than some other tenures, underlining the continued strength of institutional demand for professionally managed rental housing. Even so, the report makes clear that Build-to-Rent is not immune from the viability pressures, planning constraints and cost inflation affecting the wider market.

Taken together, this week's stories point towards an industry increasingly focused on long-term fundamentals. Whether it is energy efficiency, housing delivery, critical infrastructure or large-scale regeneration, the common thread is the need to create assets and places capable of supporting future economic growth.

One to Watch: EPC B and the retrofit opportunity

The Government's confirmation that it intends to require larger rented commercial buildings to achieve EPC B by 2031 could become one of the decade's defining property stories. While much attention has focused on new development, the announcement shines a spotlight on the existing building stock and the investment required to keep it competitive. For landlords, investors and occupiers, the next five years are likely to see growing focus on retrofit strategies, energy performance and future asset value.

Risk Radar: Housing delivery continues to slip

Savills' latest forecasts make uncomfortable reading. Whether looking at private sale housing, affordable housing or Build-to-Rent, delivery is expected to remain well below the levels needed to meet demand. While BtR continues to prove more resilient than many other tenures, the report highlights how rising construction costs, planning constraints and viability pressures are now affecting every part of the residential market. The risk is that today's thinner pipeline becomes tomorrow's deeper housing shortage.