Boston Town Board’s Post

Happy Friday everyone! This morning, I read the British Land document on brownfield urban regeneration (linked below) highlighting the massive potential to deliver housing, jobs, and economic growth through the use of brownfield sites.   𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 💡Brownfield development could unlock 1.3 million homes and 1 million jobs across the UK by 2035. 🏡An impressive 79% of people in areas like Camden, Manchester, Newham, and Cambridge support redeveloping brownfield land, especially when the benefits, like affordable housing, green spaces, and community facilities, are clearly communicated. 🪴Brownfield sites are often viewed by communities as "wasted potential" — unsightly, unsafe, or polluted. With the right policy changes and early, meaningful engagement, these spaces can be transformed into vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods.   𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Projects like Canada Water (with 3,000 new homes and extensive community facilities) and Grand Union (bringing 3,350 homes, jobs, and public spaces to life) are prime examples of how brownfield regeneration can breathe new life into urban areas.   𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: Brownfield regeneration may be a Win-Win-Win scenario. Developers get to deliver exciting & impactful projects, councils are a step closer to hitting their housing targets, and communities gain improved amenities, job opportunities, and affordable housing.   Any thoughts on how to maximise this opportunity or unexplored downsides of brownfield development?   Article Link - https://lnkd.in/g4zSc2ye   #UrbanRegeneration #BrownfieldDevelopment #Sustainablity #AffordableHousing #CommunityEngagement#planning

Addressing the housing crisis in New South Wales and Australia goes beyond construction. Strategic planning and infrastructure investment, alongside building houses, are vital for improving community wellbeing and ensuring long-term community needs are met. In their latest article, Jo Noesgaard, Patrick Fensham, and Amanda Sturgeon discuss recent reforms in New South Wales and propose a comprehensive five-pillar approach to effective city-scale planning. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gYYRqn-X

“They will have all the infrastructure and public services necessary to support thriving communities.” Today’s New Towns ‘Expert Taskforce’ announcement will be good news to many - but also raise a myriad of questions around “the how”, “the where” and, importantly “the who”. As we await the findings of the expert panel with bated breath, in target locations, a holistic review of existing #publicservices and #publicestate, and future service and estate needs reflecting #populationgrowth and dynamics will be vital to ensure the right infrastructure is embedded within delivery plans with robust #stewardship strategies. All too often the supporting infrastructure is seen as a last-minute tag on. Let’s hope the new taskforce develops a robust approach taking this into account ✅. Mature #OnePublicEstate partnerships will be key. 💡 Montagu Evans #newtowns #planning #development #placemaking #publicinfrastructure #socialvalue #stewardship

1️⃣ Act on the link between housing and community vitality. 2️⃣ Help city leaders think like developers. 3️⃣ Envision, then streamline. 4️⃣ Coordinate infrastructure investments with areas targeted for revitalization. 5️⃣ Realistically assess what’s possible. Five ways to reimagine our downtowns and promote economic growth. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eZV_NKHQ

In April 2023, I chaired a roundtable hosted by Trowers & Hamlins’ Birmingham office to discuss regeneration with various industry leaders and experts. Since then, alongside roundtables across the UK, Trowers has now published "Rethinking Regen", a report showcasing the insights developed from these roundtables and nine key recommendations for the industry to move forwards with. Our discussions in Birmingham touched on the important idea of trust, and how promoters and developers can seek to improve any negative perceptions held by the public to new schemes. The discussion identified the need to engage, understand and then deliver community wins that demonstrate the positive impact that a project can have – bringing forward amenity infrastructure or public realm that can be used immediately before additional elements such as housing or workplaces. #Collaboration between public and private sectors was another key discussion point. There is growing appetite amongst lenders to fund regeneration schemes with a big vision and realistic viability, but lenders are more confident when they are part of a public/private partnership and where both partners have ‘skin in the game’. Collaboration and joint stewardship of schemes brings the best of both worlds. Find out more about the Rethinking Regeneration campaign, and read the full Birmingham and West Midlands report here: https://lnkd.in/gkA3qcdd #regeneration #builtenvironment #research #insights #RethinkingRegen

Southwark, like central government, has been busy over the summer period and a number of consultation documents have been released: The S106 Planning Obligations SPD 💰: This suggests a substantial increase in the formula used to calculate affordable housing contributions. Currently set at £100,000, the contribution per habitable room for major developments in CIL Zone 1 could rise to £250,000. The Affordable Housing SPD 🏚: This document provides additional details on securing appropriate affordable housing, including viability assessments, reviews, and the design and management of such housing. The Climate and Environment SPD 🌍: This new guidance, although not a policy, aligns Southwark with other Central London boroughs in terms of whole-life carbon exploration and encourages the retention of existing buildings. Affordable Workspace Hubs 🏢: Southwark has also released a response to the Southwark Land Commission. One of the Priority Actions identified, of particular interest, is the Council's focus to establish affordable workspace hubs across the borough funded through private development contributions. An SPD is expected later in the year. Paris Garden (I acted on behalf of the landowner) is one of the first contributors towards these hubs. Please reach out 📞 if you would like to find out more and how it may impact any future projects.

The Planning Institute of Australia calls for a growth dividend from development in the form of a commitment to measurable outcomes in amenities like open space, walkability and social and affordable housing in our Better Places Better Housing position paper and as mentioned by me in this article. Time for a step up in place and precinct planning - including MORE housing alongside much BETTER places. https://lnkd.in/gRjJZQFF

At BuildingIN, we’re proud to partner with eight Canadian municipalities to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the housing supply crisis. This collaboration is not just about increasing the number of homes—it’s about reshaping urban growth to foster sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive communities. By working hand-in-hand with municipalities, we're implementing innovative urban planning strategies that meet housing needs while enhancing the social and economic fabric of our cities. Together, we’re not just building homes, but creating the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous future. #HousingCrisis #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #AffordableHousing #Innovation #BuildingIN #CanadaHousing #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanGrowth

🏢 Planning Reform, High Streets, and the Future of UK Town Centres! 🏙️   We’re thrilled to share this insightful article by our corporate partner Planning Potential that dives into the crucial role planning reform can play in revitalising UK high streets and town centres. 🌍🏬 Discover the challenges and opportunities in creating thriving local communities!   🔗 Read the full article to explore the future of urban development: https://lnkd.in/ejGMc-fb   #TownCentreRevival #PlanningReform #UrbanDevelopment #JoinusinKent #PlanningPotential

#Brownfield #urbanregeneration has the potential to foster increased #growth, #housing, and #jobopportunities when it is backed by #community support.   This very interesting recent research conducted by Commonplace examines public perceptions:   “Communities feel negatively towards underdeveloped brownfield land in their area and view it as a wasted opportunity which should be developed.”   “Brownfield urban regeneration is not only seen as a more acceptable form of development but also as desirable and something that should be optimised.”   “Urban communities recognise the benefits that development can deliver, and are comfortable balancing viability trade-offs so long as these are clearly understood.”   “Communities know what they want to see – and should be more involved early in the planning and development process.”   Recommended #policy actions include:   - Prioritise brownfield development and create investment incentives including grant funding for enabling infrastructure. - Reduce policy layering that adds cost and complexity. - Ensure regeneration benefits are felt and seen locally. - Promote the delivery of affordable housing, facilitate denser developments and allow for greater flexibility in design. - Enable greater public participation in the planning and development process. British Land Berkeley Group Plc Landsec #realestate #urbanregeneration #construction #infrastructure #sustainabiliy #cities #policies #urbanplanning #affordablehousing #publicparticipation #stakeholderengagement