South West Property Forum: Opportunities and Challenges in Somerset

Southampton is rising as a city of purpose and a future of promise.   Reflecting on last week’s visit to #SOGROW at Solent University, organised by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and a flagship Southampton business event - was a powerful reminder of what is possible when vision, collaboration, and innovation come together.   Southampton has always been a city with deep roots in progress. From its world-renowned deep-sea port, one of the UK’s most critical #trade gateways, connecting #Britain to global markets, to its thriving maritime, logistics, and innovation sectors - this city has long been built on movement, exchange, and ambition.   Its strategic position on the south coast, combined with world-class research institutions like Southampton University and the growing strength of Solent University, has helped the city become a hub of discovery and technology. Soton Uni has long established international research partnerships, and together with Solent Uni, is increasingly driving the city’s future with new #AI and data science programmes and regional innovation centres.   With the right investment, collaboration, and vision, Southampton is emerging as one of the UK’s most dynamic #innovation and #technology powerhouses - where industry, academia, and policy converge to shape the nation’s next era of growth.   The discussion panel reflected this energy.   In addition, Andy Haldane's keynote on the UK’s economic prospects and Southampton’s opportunity to shape a local plan and industrial strategy at true scale, made one thing clear - Southampton’s potential is immense when we connect purpose with progress.   Focused insight discussions on low carbon, growth, innovation, connectivity, and skills development painted a future which is not just sustainable, but also deeply human and powered by #people, ideas, and shared ambition.   Southampton’s story is still being written, but it is one of opportunity, resilience, and #transformation.   Looking ahead, #Southampton is positioning itself on the global map as a leading centre for innovation and future technology - a place where ideas don’t just depart from its ports, but where the city evolves into a world-class hub and where ideas become industries, and partnerships power the future of #growth.   Let’s continue to invest in its people, its partnerships, and its purpose, because, when a city like Southampton rises with unity, innovation, and shared intent - it doesn’t just transform the region, but it strengthens the entire UK nation. #SouthamptonRenaissance #EconomicGrowth #Devolution #UKEconomy #Sustainability #Leadership

Supporting London’s knowledge economy with enough high-quality student housing will be crucial to its success as an innovation capital of global significance. Yet, despite their strategic importance, student housing schemes often receive a mixed welcome and besides housing the “rowdy young,” are rarely seen as addressing urgent, local, social needs. I’ll be exploring the topic tomorrow (October 9), at the Bisnow Student Accommodation Summit in London, where I’ll be presenting: “Student Housing is Vital for London’s Knowledge Economy.” 👉 Read my full thought piece: https://lnkd.in/ek5RZGJx #KPF #Bisnow #StudentAccommodation #KnowledgeEconomy #HousingShortage #UrbanDevelopment #LondonInnovation #London #StudentHousing

Space Park Leicester to help shape regional prosperity & innovation strategy. Space Park Leicester will play a leading role in shaping the future of innovation and economic growth across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Our Chief Executive Officer, William Wells, has been appointed to the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Innovation Advisory Group (IAG) — a new body bringing together universities, local authorities, and industry to guide the region’s response to the UK’s Innovation and Modern Industrial Strategies. As one of the UK’s largest space innovation communities, we’re proud to represent a sector that’s transforming industries from climate resilience to communications and defence. By contributing our expertise and insights, Space Park Leicester will help ensure that space innovation sits at the heart of regional prosperity — turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact, high-value jobs, and global competitiveness. 💬 “This role is about ensuring innovation plays a central part in shaping regional prosperity,” said Will Wells, CEO, Space Park Leicester. #SpaceParkCommunity #Innovation #Midlands #SpaceSector #Collaboration #EconomicGrowth #Leicester #Leicestershire

University City is on the rise and the numbers speak for themselves: 🏘️ 4,900+ new residential units delivered since 2020 🏢 1.2M sq. ft. of office leased in the last five years 🛍️ Retail vacancy at just 2.5%, one of the lowest in Charlotte 🏨 Hotel occupancy at 71.5% with more rooms on the way 🎓 University of North Carolina at Charlotte welcoming its largest incoming class ever From residential growth and office momentum to small business vitality and hospitality expansion, University City is cementing its role as a powerful economic engine for Charlotte. 📖 Read more about UnivCity’s growth: https://lnkd.in/ewNJpZNg 📬 Stay in the know by signing up for our monthly newsletter: bit.ly/ucpnewsletter

An exciting day for St John's College, Oxford today: the launch of #OxfordNorth, a place that will connect local academia and research with the most innovative start-ups and companies, helping to retain exceptional talent in the city and to create opportunities for growth. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Stanhope PLC Thomas White Oxford

🔬 Science Sum up: October 6 – 10 Busy days in a quiet market. How would you describe the current environment? Some big news on the investment front this week, with Milton Park (Oxfordshire) securing £376m backing. The five-year financing deal has been provided by a duo of lenders, Barings and HSBC, to MEPC Limited, a property development platform of Federated Hermes, which owns the park equally with CPP Investments | Investissements RPC. Kadans Science Partner has signed Plasmidsaurus as the most recent occupier at its Mayde science facility in London King’s Cross. The deal follows shortly after Chemify Limited took 40,000 sq ft across the developer’s health innovation hub in Glasgow. People have also moved this week, with Paul Bailey saying he’ll leave LS Estates at the end of this year. He was overseeing the development of 17 Columbus Courtyard in Canary Wharf, which remains on track for completion in Q4 2026, with façade installation scheduled to commence within the next month. Nicole Mather has been named as chair of Wellcome Genome Campus’ newly created science advisory group. She will establish the board and work with the wider campus leaders to guide the scientific strategy. Turning to the development, Camley Street and Cedar Way masterplan has gone in. The mixed-use scheme spanning 401 homes and 350,000 sq ft of commercial space is being delivered by a joint venture between Camden Council, Ballymore and Lateral. In Cambridge, BioMed Realty has been given the go-ahead for the redevelopment of Franklin Building on Granta Park. The existing 23,368 sq ft research and development facility, located along the northern boundary of the park, will be expanded to provide 56,403 sq ft of workspace. Outside of the Golden Triangle, £20m Project Halo in Merseyside has secured a planning consent. The 85,000 sq ft life sciences and advanced manufacturing is being led by St Helens Council with Network Spacee as the delivery partner. The sector will be keeping an eye on the planning portals next week as some of the largest schemes within the Golden Triangle are up for approval. The outcomes of those decisions will hit Estates Gazette pages first before appearing on this page at the end of next week. #lifesciences #realestate #development #occupiers #investment #financing #people #market #outlook #deals #goldentriangle #rent #leasing

Birmingham pushes forward with Ladywood regeneration: £2.5B investment & up to 12,000 new homes Birmingham City Council has unveiled plans for a transformative £2.5 billion regeneration of the Ladywood Estate, in partnership with Berkeley St Joseph. The development will deliver up to 12,000 new homes, including at least 20% affordable housing, while existing council homes will be renewed or replaced. The project aims to deliver much more than housing — local infrastructure improvements, green spaces, enhanced transport links, and facilities designed with community involvement. Early consultations are already underway, with resident steering groups, a community charter, and other channels to ensure feedback shapes the masterplan. This regeneration isn’t just about buildings — it’s about creating opportunity: new jobs, apprenticeships, improved homes, and often badly-needed council housing brought up to modern standards. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eePPzuwM #Birmingham #Regeneration #Ladywood #Housing #AffordableHomes #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #SustainableCities

Birmingham is one of the youngest cities in the UK, and that’s one of our greatest strengths. 🎓 Supporting young people as they begin their careers is key to unlocking the city’s full potential. Deputy Leader, Sharon Thompson said: “Birmingham has so much talent, and we need to ensure our young people have the opportunity to take their first steps into a meaningful and fulfilling career. “We are committed to ensuring all our young people have the support they need to access these opportunities and thrive.” 👋 Meet Silvestre Asubonteng, a Public Health Graduate who’s just started his journey with Birmingham City Council. Hear what it’s like to begin a career in a city full of opportunity: #InvestInBrum #Graduates #Birmingham

A couple of weeks ago MRCagney Principal Economist Shane Martin helped Stuart Donovan run the Urban Economics course for the fourth year running. Once again we were struck by the broad mix of people who attended the course: staff from Councils across the motu, Ministries, infrastructure providers like WaterCare, policy makers, consultants, and developers. It’s a good reminder of the many different types roles involved in how cities function. One really special thing about the course this year was the venue - Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai's HomeGround, which, as Shane's pointing out in the image below, demonstrates the importance of designing things with access in mind. HomeGround was very intentionally designed so the people who come there have access to food, medical, pharmacy all in one place. The design of the building literally removes barriers to access. Why is this important for cities? When people have access to things, they use them. On a bigger scale, when cities are designed in a way so that things are easy to access, they can use them. Access creates opportunity and that's beneficial for everyone.

Yesterday Astrid Stanley and I attended LD Events Property's #LIvingUK conference at the Oval. It was great to hear thoughts from experts from across the sector on the challenges facing developers and investors and the opportunities the sector continues to offer to those willing to take plunge in a tricky market. My top takeaways from the conference are: 📈 UK's Market Appeal: Despite the difficulties of the last five years and the challenges affecting development (more on that below), the UK market remains appealing to investors and continues to present relative value for money compared to other worldwide markets. The UK's Living sector does, however, remain a maturing market somewhat behind its European counterparts. 🏃➡️ 🚧 Development Viability: Hurdles to development in the sector remain substantial and include taxation, regulations and interest rates which have remained higher than expected for longer than expected. The Building Safety Act was repeatedly discussed as one of the key regulations holding up development. Howard Kennedy LLP's expert BSA team is primed to assist with any queries you may have in relation to the BSA in addition to any other queries developers may have, whatever the development stage. 🔭 Outlook: There were numerous debates as to just how many beds are needed across the various sub-sectors but the common consensus was that there is a shortfall across the sector as a whole. Developers and investors should carefully consider which sub-sector they choose as some sub-sectors (such as student accommodation) are arguably closer to saturation than forecasts might suggest. 👷 Build Build Build: The vast majority of panellists' message to the sector was that now is the time to build given the current pipeline will likely result in the shortfall of beds increasing in the next few years. Additionally, many panellists felt that the market will correct itself and regulatory challenges will be overcome meaning the viability challenges will ease. The panellists were put on the spot and asked to come up with catch-phrases to counter the 'Stay-Alive-Till-25' previously used. My favourite was 'Heaven-in-27' but perhaps the market needs a more simple catch-phrase. How about #BuildtoSell? Please reach out to me or any of my colleagues at Howard Kennedy LLP if you would like to learn more about our Living team or if we can help with any proposed, ongoing or built-out project. #RealEstateLaw #LivingSector #UKProperty #Investment #Development #BTR #SeniorLiving #StudentHousing #CoLiving #SeniorLiving