THIS WEEK | Place Yorkshire’s Christmas social

Housing applications that comply with local plans could be decided by council planning officers rather than politicised committees according to proposals unveiled by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner yesterday.

“What is the point of setting a target that you can deliver without bold action?” Prime Minister Keir Starmer told an audience at Pinewood Studios on Thursday.

Despite delays to the promised government reforms on planning, housing minister Matthew Pennycook has outlined ambitions to bring back regional spatial strategies. Plus: rent controls and Manchester offices.

After three years leading the government regeneration agency’s markets, partners, and places team, Michael Palin is leaving the organisation. Jo Nugent, director of the MPP’s Midlands team, will take over his role until a successor is found.

Thousands of property professionals from the public and private sectors are due to descend on Leeds in May 2025. Place can help your brand stand out from the crowd.

One of the country’s most active contractors, Morgan Sindall Construction will be returning to the international property expo in 2025 as part of the growing Place North delegation.

The RIBA award-winning Stoller Hall swapped out live music for an intriguing Place North Question Time event, where political leaders, investors, and industry figures took to a panel to take questions from Place North’s editorial team and members of the audience.

Managing the energy usage, visitor access, and lockers is just the cusp of what technology in smart buildings can do. Smart Spaces’ Dan Drogman and MEPC’s Dan Hyde delved into the future of the office and its relationship with technology.

Despite the odds, the office market not only survived Brexit woes and Covid concerns – it positively thrived. But has Labour’s employer NI hike just spelt the end for the high-end office market? Plus: Peel ducks out at MediaCity and co-living picks up pace in Leeds.