Roundtable: Futureproofing Greater Manchester’s built environment

Following the adoption of Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone strategy, Shoosmiths brought together real estate experts for a roundtable discussion on approaches to new development, redevelopment, renewable energy provision, and decarbonisation.

Greater Manchester has raised the bar for new commercial and residential development in recent years, with cranes now a permanent fixture on a skyline famous for high-rises and construction projects.

Set to potentially boost this activity further is Places for Everyone, which was formally adopted on 21 March 2024 after a decade-long process. This spatial strategy covers nine Greater Manchester districts - Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan – where it is now part of the statutory development plan.

As discussed in a recent panel hosted by Shoosmiths, a central objective of Places for Everyone is delivering inclusive growth across the region, with key sites identified for new development and regeneration, involving both residential and commercial real estate.

While the focus may be on unlocking new regeneration and development opportunities, the plan also emphasises the ‘aim to maximise its economic, social, and environmental benefits simultaneously, minimise adverse impacts, utilise sustainable construction techniques, and actively seek opportunities to secure net gains across all objectives.’

For instance, the Places for Everyone spatial plan highlights the importance of ‘retrofitting existing buildings to improve energy efficiency and generate renewable and low-carbon energy, heating, and cooling.’

This presents a challenge for developers, building owners, occupiers, and investors, which are already navigating evolving legislation such as Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, the Building Safety Act 2022, along with the emergence of RAAC and broader climate risks.

A balance must, therefore, be struck between maintaining project viability and future-proofing Greater Manchester’s building stock – both new and existing developments. This is crucial for complying with new legislation, ensuring safety, and achieving the inclusive, prosperous, and net-zero future that lies at the heart of the Places for Everyone strategy.

To delve deeper into this, Shoosmiths held a roundtable discussion at its Manchester office earlier this year. The session brought together developers, operators, local authorities, and experts in law, planning, construction, and engineering to explore approaches to new development, redevelopment, renewable energy provision, and decarbonisation.

(*Recorded 25 April 2024)

Taking part in the discussion:

• Alan Hall, director of projects at Genr8 Developments
• Caroline Wright, strategic planning and growth manager at Trafford Council
• Chris Hosty, head of design at CERT Property
• Derek Griffin, head of acquisitions at Whitbread
• Helen Gribbon, managing director at Renaissance
• Kate McClean, planning director at Tetra Tech
• Neil Pickup, project director at Ask Real Estate
• Warren Taylor, director at Cityheart
• Lisa Tye, partner and co-head of Shoosmiths’ living sector
• Richard Symonds, real estate partner at Shoosmiths
• Ian Hardman, construction and engineering partner at Shoosmiths
• Chair: Patrick Duffy, real estate partner at Shoosmiths

All information correct at the time of filming.