What to watch in 2026 | North East

From major regeneration schemes and housing developments to landmark commercial moves, 2025 proved to be another busy year across the North East’s property and development sector. As the year draws to a close, Place North East has taken a look back at the stories that captured the most attention from our readers.

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We are downing tools for the festive season, but will be back with the region’s industry news in the second full week of January.

Despite economic uncertainty and Building Safety Act Gateway 2 delays, the property sector in the North has continued to move at pace delivering sheds, beds, and everything in between.

The developer is delivering a 775,000 sq ft industrial and logistics hub in Stockton-on-Tees in partnership with the council, and has appointed Seymour Civil Engineering as main contractor. 

The purchase of the 22 units brings the company’s total footprint in the North East to more than 1.9 sq ft, with around £80m invested in the region this year. 

Rachel Reeves said government changes to planning laws will tear down barriers to growth after a raft of planning reforms received Royal Assent.

Formerly of Leeds City Council and Arup, Bridges is one of five executive directors to step into the newly created role nationwide as the government agency looks to deepen its collaboration with Mayors and local leaders in a bid to boost the delivery of homes and communities.

Proposed reforms to national planning policy will be the biggest shake-up for the system in more than a decade, according to the government.