South Yorkshire’s property sector has raised concerns over the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, warning that it may slow housebuilding rather than accelerate it. The legislation, expected to pass in the next parliamentary session, aims to support the creation of up to 1.5 million new homes nationwide.

At an industry event hosted by Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber’s Property Forum, more than 70 senior property professionals discussed the potential impact of the bill on the region. Presentations from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Barnsley Council, and Rotherham Council outlined measures such as reducing statutory consultees, reinstating mandatory housing targets for local authorities, and committing to essential infrastructure delivery. Implementation is expected to take up to three years.

Industry representatives highlighted persistent obstacles to growth, including regulatory complexity, recruitment challenges, rising construction costs, and high land values. New home construction in the UK remains at its lowest level since 2017, signalling that current reforms may be insufficient to stimulate meaningful growth in the sector.

Businesses emphasised the need for more targeted support for developers and housebuilders to address labour shortages, control costs, and unlock land for construction. The sector called for policies that create a practical operating environment capable of translating government ambitions into tangible housing delivery.

Construction on the former Western School site in Grimsby, now called Cambridge Green, is advancing, with three show homes already completed and generating buyer interest.

Keepmoat, ranked among the UK’s top 10 housebuilders, is redeveloping the 22.9-acre brownfield site. The project involves a multi-million-pound investment to deliver 318 properties, including one- to four-bedroom houses, retirement dwellings, and affordable housing. Total investment is projected at £65 million.

The site closed over a decade ago due to declining pupil numbers. North East Lincolnshire Council secured funding through Homes England’s Accelerated Construction Programme, enabling site preparation, utility installation, access works, and the establishment of outline planning permission. Keepmoat commenced construction in late 2024.

Plans also include 90 high-quality, affordable homes for older adults with care needs. The Council will procure an operator to build and manage these units, supporting its aim to double extra care housing capacity in the borough by 2029.

The development reflects a public-private partnership model, focusing on brownfield regeneration, multi-tenure housing, and sustainable living. Cambridge Green forms part of broader housing initiatives in Grimsby to expand accommodation options and support local economic growth.

East Lindsey District Council has secured £1.006 million from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk fund to support essential repairs at Spilsby Sessions House, a Grade II listed building in Lincolnshire.

The 1827 building, originally constructed as a sessions house and jail and converted into a theatre in 1984, has been on the Theatres at Risk register since 2015. The new funding will cover conservation work on the roof, brickwork, and windows.

This grant adds to £4.929 million previously provided by the UK Government to transform the property into a cultural venue with broader community use during daytime hours. Additional funding applications are underway with Arts Council England to complete the internal fit-out required for full operations.

The redevelopment project is managed through a partnership between East Lindsey District Council and Spilsby Sessions House Charity, with early planning supported by the Theatres Trust ‘Resilient Theatres – Resilient Communities’ programme. The project aims to preserve the building’s heritage while establishing a sustainable arts and community hub in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

The programme is expected to progress over the next eighteen months, with structural repairs prioritised before final fit-out and operational activities begin.

Bradford Estates has added two industrial parks to its portfolio, increasing total holdings to exceed 400,000 sq ft. Wortley Business Park in Leeds provides 17,000 sq ft across ten units occupied by SMEs. Rowan Industrial Park in Alton, Hampshire, offers 16,000 sq ft in seven fully let units serving manufacturing, automotive, and trade suppliers.

These acquisitions increase Bradford Estates’ holdings to 412,000 sq ft across 14 estates in England and Wales. The company continues to focus on multi-let sites that require asset management and refurbishment, in line with its strategy to generate sustainable income and long-term portfolio growth.

Earlier in 2025, Bradford Estates acquired additional estates in Washington, Peterlee, Avonmouth, and Gloucester, expanding its network of institutional-grade industrial properties. The recent purchases were completed with the support of specialist legal and property advisory teams.

A recent audit of Scarborough Borough Council’s £9 million loan to Benchmark Leisure Limited for the Alpamare water park exposes shortcomings in risk management and decision-making processes.

The loan aimed to support a regeneration project at The Sands and North Bay, positioning a major visitor attraction to drive tourism and local investment. Benchmark Leisure was selected through an informal tender, with repayment structured via rent and a percentage of park revenue. The council borrowed externally to fund the loan and set a fixed interest rate of 5.85% to meet EU state aid rules.

Construction delays pushed the park’s opening to July 2016, with a planned luxury spa completed in March 2019. Alpamare UK Limited operated the facility but faced cashflow difficulties within two years, failing to meet tax and supplier obligations. Benchmark Leisure stopped regular repayments in April 2019, leaving the council with approximately £7.9 million in unpaid debts. The water park entered administration in October 2023, with the council assuming full control by December 2023.

The Veritau audit found that reports to council members did not clearly distinguish between commercial investment and lending, risks were inadequately assessed, and officer recommendations did not reflect full professional analysis. The report highlights the importance of structured risk reporting, robust financial assessment, and adherence to expert advice in publicly backed regeneration projects.

Councils and development partners are advised to apply these lessons to ensure future investments are underpinned by transparent risk evaluation and governance, reducing exposure to financial and operational failures.