UK Brownfield Regeneration Summit 2026
Agenda
9:00
Registration & Networking
9:30
Welcome from Environment Analyst
9:35
Opening Remarks from the Chair
9:40
State of the Market Review
Despite regulatory complexity, tension between Brownfield First policies and grey‑belt development, and delayed investment decisions slowing UK construction, especially housing, there are signs of renewed momentum heading into 2026.
This opening session will examine the key market drivers and future pipeline, supported by the latest data. A panel of business leaders will also share on‑the‑ground insights into how they are managing an uncertain yet cautiously optimistic recovery.
10:20
Bringing Forward Complex Sites
For a lot of development sites, especially large-scale or stalled sites, aligning the development's infrastructure and stakeholder needs with funding and other delivery mechanisms, whilst ensuring it does not have an adverse impact on the local environment or community is a complex picture. Local Partnerships provide support to local authorities and other public and private sector partners to help unlock sites and enable regeneration and housing growth objectives to be met.
This presentation will, using a development project case study, provide an insight into this work and the solutions being employed to bring forward a complex employment site.
Linda Raynor, Senior Director – Head of Regeneration, Local Partnerships
CASE STUDY
10:35
Unlocking the UK’s Largest City Centre Brownfield Site (York Central)
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Background to the project
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Redevelopment Challenges
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Development Aspiration
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Delivery Strategy
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Technical delivery challenges (ground risk etc)
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Current progress
Gareth Meynell, Head - Development Services, Homes England
CASE STUDY
11:00
Morning Refreshments & Networking
11:30
Harnessing Sources and Mechanisms of Financing Available for Contaminated Land Redevelopment and Urban Regeneration
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Reviewing the financing sources available for de-risking sites and enabling brownfield regeneration, including Government funding, grants and tax incentives:
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which types of organisations or projects they are applicable for
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Exploring the effective use of insurance and risk management approaches to unlock complex and challenging sites
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Strategies for mobilising funding into operational delivery, what are the key obstacles and enablers?
David Crook, Brownfield Land Release Fund Programme Lead, One Public Estate, Local Government Association
12:00
Salford at 100: Transforming a City through Regeneration
Over the past decade, Salford has undergone a period of transformative growth, shifting from industrial decline to a thriving, modern city. This has been driven by major brownfield regeneration programmes including Greengate, Central Salford and Salford Quays. Looking ahead, this momentum is set to continue, underpinned by an ambitious vision to deliver 40,000 new homes and 40,000 new jobs by 2040.
Sarah Heslop, Strategic Lead - Regeneration, Salford City Council
CASE STUDY
12:20
Development Case Studies: Waverley, The Advanced Manufacturing Park and Simpson Park
As these three developments are reaching their final stages, Michael will present a summary of the development process from the early stages; focusing on Harworth Group’s work to create and develop these sustainable places from brownfield sites and their historic land use.
The presentation will cover some of the major technical challenges and solutions on each site and how these are aligned with the ongoing process of developing a sustainable community and creating value for all stakeholders.
Michael Brown, Technical Director, Harworth
CASE STUDY
12.40
Achieving a Holistic Approach to Unlocking Value and Transforming Brownfield Sites
Michael’s presentation will then lead into a panel discussion exploring how taking a holistic approach and integrating a range of place-making and economic drivers into the planning and design of development projects from the outset, as well as ensuring the early engagement of all stakeholders, can transform contaminated or previously industrialised land into vibrant, sustainable spaces that benefit the environment and local communities, are more climate-resilient and influence longer-term positive change.
Michael Brown, Technical Director, Harworth
Mark Graham, Director, LDA Design
James Roy, Principal Manager - DIO Estates Acquisition & Disposals, UK Ministry of Defence
13:05
Networking Lunch
14:00
Interactive Roundtable Discussion Session
This popular interactive session enables attendees to break out into small groups to discuss a pertinent topic of interest led by a facilitator.
Roundtable topics will be confirmed soon.
14:45
Afternoon Refreshments & Networking
15.10
Practical Solutions for Advancing the Delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on Brownfield Sites
Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on most development sites now is mandatory, and brownfield sites present unique opportunities for achieving BNG goals, however a number of challenges still exist affecting delivery.
This panel will discuss the success of BNG implementation currently, the implications of proposed changes to BNG as part of wider planning reforms and explore how BNG can be effectively embedded into regeneration and development projects.
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Assessing the challenges in translating BNG into project delivery on the ground, what are the key constraints and how can they be overcome?
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Identify practical support that exists to effectively embed and deliver BNG into housing and infrastructure
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Communicating the business case to all stakeholders
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Leveraging the biodiversity on brownfield sites: aligning nature with remediation strategies to maximise environmental and societal benefits
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How can BNG development targets be effectively monitored and enforced?
Vikki Patton, Head of Nature Positive Services, Ramboll
15:50
Achieving a Circular Economy Approach to Development to Minimise Waste, Reduce Costs & Meet Housing & Development Targets
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Reviewing relevant policy guidance and regulation affecting the classification, management and reuse of waste soil and materials on development sites
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implications of NPPF2025 and the Circular Economy Taskforce report
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update on DoWCoP 3
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next steps from the OEP project examining the risks, blockers and opportunities to implementation of the waste hierarchy
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Practical strategies for embedding materials planning and management into development design and remediation strategies from the outset:
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ensuring early engagement with all stakeholders to incorporate existing soil, demolition and excavation materials into local and master planning
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effectively identifying and classifying materials available for re-use
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Reviewing the use of tools and guidance to help with reducing waste, including:
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soil passports
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digital waste tracking
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aggregate washing and reuse and “urban quarries”
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Aligning regulation and innovation to achieve effective materials management and waste minimisation
Chair: Martin Ballard, Group Head of Environment, Wates
David Holman, Landfill & National Recycling Manager, Heidelberg Materials
Richard Moakes, Managing Consultant Environment & Health, Ramboll
Dan Enon, Senior Environmental Advisor, Murphy
16:30
Closing Remarks from the Chair
Close of Summit followed by a Networking Drinks Reception
