Councils turn to AI to boost housebuilding Property Local councils across the country are turning to artificial intelligence to speed up the planning process, as Labour’s 1.5m housebuilding target clashes with a slowing construction sector. A number of local authorities – including several in the capital – have either piloted or implemented AI planning tools, but housing leaders have warned that the government [...]
Satisfaction: Mick Jagger prevails in bid to block Battersea tower Property Rock star Sir Mick Jagger has won a two-year planning battle to block a controversial 29-storey tower in Battersea, proving you can get what you want. The Rolling Stones frontman had been joined by a host of stars including guitarist Eric Clapton, actress Felicity Kendall and comedian Harry Hill in opposing the development. A planning [...]
Top hotel chain calls for Liverpool Street scheme to be rejected Business A top hotel group has called for Network Rail’s £1.2bn Liverpool Street redevelopment to be rejected or deferred, warning that it might not ever be completed. James Francque, global head of transactions at Hyatt, said the scheme is “not financially viable, offers limited operational benefit, and carries a high risk of non-delivery.” “For these reasons, [...]
Data centre planning applications rocketed more than 60 per cent in 2025 January 13, 2026 Data centre planning applications hit an all-time high in the UK in 2025, City AM can reveal, as investors rushed to gain a foothold in the burgeoning AI market. More than 60 separate planning applications for the construction of new data centres were filed in England and Wales over the course of the year, according [...]
Fenchurch Street’s new skyscraper looks great. Will it ever get built? October 2, 2025 The City of London Corporation has approved plans for another skyscraper in the Square Mile. Having had a look at the application, the building looks gorgeous and will surely make a great addition to the City’s skyline. I particularly like how the facade is interspersed with patches of greenery. But will it ever get built? [...]
Could this be Britain’s most expensive shed? August 7, 2025 As we report today, there’s been a nationwide downturn in construction. The issue is especially acute in London – the place housing is needed most – where the number of new home starts is hurtling towards zero. At this rate, there is just no way the government will meet its target of building 1.5m new [...]
The Nedification of the Square Mile July 24, 2025 Such has been the success of The Ned since its launch in 2017, the company behind the brand is now planning a rural outpost, as City AM exclusively revealed this week. But what’s gone under the radar is the profound effect the institution has had on the Square Mile, with hoteliers rushing to emulate its [...]
Inside the ‘nationally significant’ plan to put Manchester ‘on the map’ April 24, 2025 The first phase of a “nationally significant” plan which would see 20,000 jobs created and put Greater Manchester “on the map” has been officially submitted. The Northern Gateway development would be the largest proposed employment site in the region – with its first phase including up to 6.5 million sq ft of employment space, supporting [...]
Roman Basilica discovery forces new City skyscraper rethink April 9, 2025 Plans for a new skyscraper at 85 Gracechurch Street have been updated after the discovery of an “extraordinary” Roman Basilica at the site earlier this year. The proposed scheme now incorporates a public exhibition space in the 32-storey commercial building, which will celebrate the remains of the first Roman Basilica of London. The public immersive [...]