The future of regeneration in the UK — key takeaways from UKREiiF

Having recently attended the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) for the first time, Tom Wright from our real estate team came away came away with a fresh appreciation for how regeneration is being driven across the UK — and why massive industry events like this matter. 

Our role is to facilitate deals, connect diverse stakeholders and co-create a consistent path forward for our communities. These gatherings give us the platform to have the conversations that enable that.

UKREiiF acts as a genuine melting pot of ideas. It provides an invaluable space to connect with property professionals, investors and local authorities all in one place, creating the opportunity for the types of spontaneous conversations that lead to new collaboration opportunities. 

Beyond the networking, it also offers real-time exposure to the market sectors that are booming and the unique ways that different regions are driving regeneration forward.

Here, Tom tells us more.

Bridging the viability gap through strategic partnerships

One of the standout sessions at the event was the Place North West breakfast, which brought together senior leaders from across the regeneration ecosystem. The overarching theme of the discussion centred on how we make major projects stick during times of macroeconomic volatility.

It's no secret that building costs and political cycles have created challenges for long-term real estate investment over the last decade. However, where there's disruption, there's also a clear opportunity for reform. Change within the planning system can act as a catalyst to unlock development if we maintain a shared focus on delivery.

To make these complex schemes viable, we're seeing a significant shift toward sophisticated public-private partnerships. There are some well-known examples of Homes England partnering with private developers in order to improve access to public funds — where of course they’ll be used responsibly —  and this is another innovative method that developers and quasi-public bodies are finding to fill the gap between private investment and commercial viability. 

We’re now seeing more developers negotiate similar frameworks to ensure that they can bridge the viability gap without relying solely on local or combined authorities. Our recent research in the Making Places Work report showed that every pound invested by the public sector can help to unlock substantial private investment. When the economy grows, the market becomes naturally more viable — but until then, these robust partnership structures are essential to keep projects moving.

Turning the data centre boom into sustainable innovation

Another highly insightful session explored the rapid growth of data centres. By their very nature, these require immense amounts of water and power, meaning that they aren't traditionally viewed as environmentally friendly. However, this challenge is forcing the market to become incredibly savvy about how we build them.

We're increasingly seeing these facilities developed on former industrial brownfield sites that already have established power and water connections. The cleanup process required for these sites is driving environmental innovations that’ll inevitably flow through to traditional industrial estates elsewhere.

This approach allows us to look at brownfield land — which might otherwise be too costly to develop for housing — through a new lens. For example, Blackpool Council is currently leveraging its unique digital infrastructure assets to develop its Silicon Sands campus, creating higher-value jobs for the future economy. 

Among other things, we explored the UK’s insatiable demand for data centres and the importance of identifying risk early, allocating it appropriately and keeping projects moving at pace. We spoke about the importance of supporting data centre sector clients by offering fully integrated, end-to-end support throughout the entire lifecycle of these projects — helping clients to navigate the commercial, technical, regulatory and operational complexities that define the sector. 

Similarly, during my time exploring the exhibition stands, I was fascinated by how Cornwall is harnessing its distinct regional identity to pioneer sustainable development. Project leaders there are making sure that their projects are consciously Cornish rather than generic, ensuring that our towns don't end up looking completely homogeneous. That’s a lesson that all stakeholders in the regeneration ecosystem must consider: what are the unique assets of a place and how do you enhance that, rather than build over it? 

Building trust through civic engagement

A common thread across all of the discussions at UKREiiF — and indeed, that we’ve been discussing ourselves at our recent Making Places Work launch event — is the fundamental shift in how we approach placemaking. 

Decades ago, the prevailing attitude toward development was often based on a field of dreams approach — the belief that if you build it, people will come. Today, successful regeneration requires us to get local communities involved at the earliest opportunity to drive civic energy.

Our presence at the Liverpool Pavilion at UKREiiF — a dedicated space at the event to highlight work across the combined authority and showcase opportunities for investment — highlighted how the city region is unlocking untapped investment opportunities.

Liverpool is a prime example of a place where early civic engagement is absolutely crucial. When you involve residents early, it builds a deep sense of trust and helps to ensure that you're creating opportunities that truly benefit these communities, aligning long-term growth with local needs. People want to live and work in places that they genuinely identify with — and that local pride is what ultimately drives civic engagement.

Streamlining delivery with innovative frameworks

Finally, it was encouraging to see genuine innovation within the legal and development framework space. There's a growing market for standardised development funding agreements and building contracts that support local authorities to deliver community assets like leisure centres from start to finish. 

Reducing these prohibitive fee barriers helps to keep projects moving — bringing the pace, precision and purpose that’s required to deliver regeneration schemes that are built to last.

Talk to us

As a purpose-led, independent law firm and certified B Corp, we believe that urban renewal is a powerful force for good. From revitalising town centres to constructing strategic infrastructure and housing, our award-winning solicitors play a central role in projects that breathe new life into communities across the UK.

Recognised by The Legal 500 for our involvement in "some of the biggest and most complicated development deals in recent times", our full-service regeneration team has over 120 experts in real estate development, planning, public procurement, housing and construction law. We provide the legal and commercial insights needed to break down barriers, accelerate progress and make places work.

To discuss your regeneration aims and ambitions with us, email regeneration@brabners.com, call us on 0333 004 4488 or fill in our contact form.