Knight Frank expands Newcastle building consultancy team 

Since 1980, successive governments have introduced more than 60 initiatives to fix housing affordability, writes Jeremy Hinds of CivicScape. Yet 1.33m households remain on waiting lists, 176,000 children live in temporary accommodation, rents are rising and homes cost around eight times average earnings.

Providing 50% of England’s renewable power and 40% of the UK’s electricity, the North is ready to write the nation’s next chapter in its energy future. To make that chapter as illustrious as it should be, Place North’s latest conference delved into the obstacles to be overcome, opportunities to be realised, and the work to be done.

The long delayed proposals, being brought forward by the council with development partner Ask:PATRIZIA, will deliver an open-air performance square, plaza, linear park, and improved pedestrian connections across the waterfront.

Whether you’re building a data centre, refurbishing a town hall or improving a railway station, much like Benjamin Franklin’s famous idiom about taxes and death, one thing is certain: the project will likely be delayed and the costs will almost certainly increase, writes Stuart Wilks of Limeslade.

Mark Wolverson returns to the firm, which currently has £58m of projects under construction in the region, having most recently worked as operations director for the North East at Wates.

The investment business has taken the first steps towards a potential second data centre in the south east Northumberland village, with construction expected to take around two years if the scheme progresses.

Scandinavian homeware brand Søstrene Grene has agreed a 10-year lease on a 4,445 sq ft unit at the retail and leisure destination in Durham. 

A joint venture between the authority and the housebuilder is potentially set to deliver the scheme on a 30-acre site on the northwestern edge of the town, as part of the wider Burtree Garden Village. 

Forward-thinking companies ready to build business connections, raise brand profile, and gather market intel on the Midlands, North West, Yorkshire, and North East will find ample opportunities to do so via the 2027 Place Media Group events calendar.