Developing Consensus

Housing 🏠 The Government has confirmed the first allocations from its 10-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP.) The North East is set to receive an estimated £445m to support around 3,400 new homes. This is part of a wider £9.58bn national release going to 33 strategic partners across the country. Locally, Newcastle City Council and Karbon Homes both are named in this first wave. 🔹 Newcastle City Council - 966 homes - £141.4m 🔹 Karbon Homes -2,533 homes - £350.0m Read the full update: https://lnkd.in/esjM2xyU

Infrastructure ✅ The £1.4bn project to dual the road between the M6 and A1(M) at Scotch Corner has secured government support. Although National Highways has yet to confirm when construction will begin, the Government's third Road Investment Strategy has confirmed the project is a priority. The next key milestone is approval of the project’s Final Business Case, which is expected to pave the way for large-scale works. Read all the details on Place North East 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/eZsFzu_g

Friday Reading 👀 Fiscal devolution for England A briefing by Centre for Cities. Using data from the OECD, in combination with LA income tax data, this briefing explains why England needs fiscal devolution to support economic growth. Read the full briefing 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/eepDAB_e #Devolution #NorthEast

Infrastructure 👇🏻🔵 Andy Burnham pledged yesterday that he is willing to explore a revived vision to dual the A1 in Northumberland and that his No10 North will work with Kim McGuinness to seek an "alternative way" to fund the upgrade to the notorious road. He said: "I am one of those who comes up here a lot. I would be the first to say that the infrastructure that people have here is not fair in terms of the lack of transport infrastructure. "The A1 is an issue that I am not going to conveniently forget because I am now in the position I am in. "I have said to Kim we will make devolution work in a way that is right for people in the North East, there is more power coming to the North East of England. That is a commitment and No 10 North will be driving these changes with Kim. For instance, on that issue, looking to see if there is an alternative way we can put a funding package together." Read the full article 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/ekT_pAua

🔵 Planning 🔵 Setting out the Government's latest approach to banning and development in England, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been released this week. If you're struggling to clear the diary and read the official 130 page document, here are some of our key takeaways👇🏻 #Planning #NPPF

Have you shared your thoughts on The North East Combined Authority's Bus Franchising Scheme? Under franchising, the North East MSA would: 🔵 Set routes, timetables and fares 🔵 Decide service standards 🔵 Contract bus operators to run services on its behalf Bus companies would still run services, but under contract and to agreed standards. Take part in the consultation 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/eXyhKD9J

Build North Expo continues its northward expansion with its next major event at Utilita Arena Newcastle on Tuesday 14th January 2027 and we are pleased to be supporting this. Build North Expo: Newcastle will bring together leading suppliers, contractors, consultants and industry federations from across the full construction supply chain. Whether you’re in housebuilding, roofing, civil engineering, scaffolding, interiors or renewables technology, major project delivery or utilities, the event offers access to the people, products and platforms shaping the future of the built environment across the North. The North East is one of the UK’s most active regions for construction investment, with significant housebuilding, infrastructure and regeneration programmes underway across Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the wider region. To book your place please follow the link - https://lnkd.in/e7wT5X9w Or to exhibit please contact the Build Expo team Look forward to seeing you there! Leanne Conaway Chelsea Corbett Catriona Lingwood Crosby Associates Media Nick Fellows

Great column from North East Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive John McCabe DL on Bdaily 👇🏻 "Today, income tax generated by people from Berwick to Barnard Castle flows into Whitehall for London-based leaders to decide what to do with it. "Yet local leaders understand their economies, communities and opportunities better than anyone." Read the full column below. https://lnkd.in/e7_vEguE

🔵 Member News 🔵 Lichfields UK Four promotions have been made at Lichfields’ #Newcastle office. Alex Kennedy, James Robertson, and Emily Thomson are now associate directors at the firm, while Lucy Blakemore is stepping into the role of senior planner. Read the full article 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/gyf6W4Ca

Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, invests £27.7 million into Sunderland's Sheepfolds Neighbourhood. The funding will help transform the former industrial site, creating more than 350 homes as part of Riverside Sunderland, with £10 million already invested by the North East Mayor to complement Homes England’s funding package. https://lnkd.in/ehtnbEJC