Anglian Water plans to build a major reservoir in Lincolnshire, with construction potentially beginning in 2031, pending regulatory approval. The proposed site is located south of Sleaford, near the villages of Scredington and Burton Pedwardine.

The project aims to secure a long-term water supply for approximately 750,000 homes across the region. If approved, it would result in the flooding of around five square kilometres of land and the loss of at least 15 homes and farms.

Initial survey work is set to begin shortly, although Anglian Water has clarified that this does not mark the start of construction. The utility provider is continuing to develop its plans to submit a formal application in 2028 through the development consent order process.

The proposal has received political support, including from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, signaling broader government interest in strengthening the UK’s water infrastructure. For B2B stakeholders, the project represents a significant opportunity across construction, engineering, environmental consultancy, and utility supply chains.

A major warehouse and distribution development proposed for farmland near Thrapston in Northamptonshire is now under review by the government’s Planning Inspectorate after the local council failed to meet its decision deadline.

Equites Newlands (Thrapston East) Ltd submitted plans in 2022 to develop approximately 60 hectares of land at Castle Manor Farm, close to the A14. The proposal includes large-scale logistics units with a combined maximum floorspace of 200,000 square metres and building heights capped at 24 metres.

North Northamptonshire Council had until December 2024 to decide on the application but has taken no action, prompting the matter to proceed to appeal. The government will now assess the scheme in full.

The proposed site has drawn significant local opposition. Over 760 public objections have been lodged, alongside resistance from nearby parish councils and local campaign group Staunch, which cited environmental and infrastructure concerns. Only three letters of support were recorded.

While the exact layout of the full development remains undecided, the developer claims the project responds to strong regional demand for employment space along the A14 logistics corridor and could support around 2,700 new jobs.

Interested parties have until 16 May to submit comments, with a public hearing scheduled to begin on 8 July.

Plans to expand a green skills training centre in North East Lincolnshire have been approved. The development will enhance the region’s ability to meet the UK’s net-zero infrastructure needs. Located at the Catch site in Stallingborough, the expansion will introduce an industrial decarbonisation centre alongside a renewable energy training facility.

The two new facilities, expected to open by 2026, are designed to address the increasing demand for skilled workers in the green energy sector. The renewable energy centre will feature classrooms and specialised workshops for practical training, while the decarbonisation centre will provide lecture theatres and office spaces to support educational activities.

The Catch organisation began its apprenticeships programme in 2021 and aims to train 1,000 apprentices annually by 2030. Key partners such as Associated British Ports and Humber Freeport support the initiative. The development is part of a broader push to equip the workforce with the skills needed to support the decarbonisation of the Humber region’s industrial base.

This project aligns with the government’s commitment to invest in green skills training, fostering new jobs in clean energy sectors across key regions, including North East Lincolnshire, Aberdeen, Cheshire, and Pembrokeshire. The new facilities are critical in supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.

East Midlands-based developer Rula Developments is progressing plans for a major commercial regeneration project in Eaglescliffe that could create up to 1,000 jobs. The 54-acre Teeslink site, adjacent to Durham Lane Industrial Park, has been earmarked for warehousing, office, and ancillary employment space.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council appointed Rula as the preferred developer. Rula has submitted a hybrid planning application outlining key infrastructure upgrades, including new access roads, cycle and pedestrian links, and improved surface water drainage. The proposal also seeks outline consent for around 775,500 sq ft of employment space.

The scheme is backed by £3 million in grant funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Indigenous Growth Fund, which aims to unlock strategic sites for development across the region.

Future planning submissions will detail building designs, height, scale, and landscaping. The project is expected to support the borough’s broader economic growth plans by providing a mix of employment opportunities.

Local businesses and residents have been invited to provide feedback as part of the public consultation process.

This week, Charnwood Borough Council will decide whether to approve a revised student accommodation scheme in Loughborough, following months of public objections and planning revisions.

The project proposes a six-storey block housing 167 student beds on Browns Lane, replacing the existing building on the site. The original plan, submitted in May 2023, proposed 211 beds over eight storeys but was withdrawn after 170 objections. A revised version initially offered 183 beds, later scaled down to 167 after further consultation.

Despite ongoing opposition—87 objections remain—the council’s planning officers have recommended approval. Residents’ concerns include the building’s scale, impact on nearby homes and landmarks, flood risk, pressure on roads and parking, and fears over antisocial behaviour.

To address flood concerns, the plan includes a “blue roof” system to manage rainwater, with all bedrooms above ground level. The ground floor would house communal facilities, cycle parking, and refuse areas designed to be flood-resilient.

The proposal includes two staff-only parking spaces and 83 cycle spaces, 54 for residents. Students must book time slots for loading and unloading on move-in days to reduce traffic disruption.

Planning officers argue the scheme could ease pressure on local housing by increasing purpose-built student accommodation, improve surveillance in the area, and boost local economic activity due to increased footfall near the town centre. The final decision now rests with councillors.

Derbyshire County Council has lodged a formal application to redevelop its County Hall site in Matlock into a major mixed-use scheme incorporating residential units, commercial space, and a hotel, as well as a new net-zero carbon headquarters.

The proposed plans include converting existing buildings into apartments and a hotel, building 50 new homes, and adding retail and office space designed to attract local business activity. The development would also involve demolishing several outbuildings, removing two disused footbridges, and restoring heritage assets such as the Winter Gardens.

Council planners say the aim is to consolidate operations into a modern, sustainable facility while opening up the wider site for investment-led regeneration. Derbyshire Dales District Council has requested planning and listed building consent.

While the proposal supports commercial growth and housing supply targets, it has drawn resistance from some local residents concerned about the scheme’s scale. Objections have focused on traffic congestion, inadequate parking, flood risk, and pressure on local services. However, none of these concerns have yet stalled the application process.

The redevelopment marks a broader trend of local authorities repurposing legacy properties to generate long-term value, reduce environmental impact, and stimulate local economies. The project’s success could set a precedent for similar public sector transformations across the UK.