June’s mastermind session brought together property professionals eager to learn from real projects and share valuable experiences. The energy in the room was palpable as members visited one of Lewis Wilkinson’s active developments. This hands-on experience gave everyone a clear view of the project's progress and the challenges faced along the way. The day was packed with practical insights from industry experts, making it a memorable event for all involved. A big thank you to Lewis and the...

Guns out after a full day of straight talking. 🎯 May's mastermind session was a good one. Ross Wiltshire, Partner at Ellisons Commercial Property Department, gave us a proper breakdown of what's actually hitting SME developers right now - tax, disputes, Biodiversity Net Gain, and where the market's heading. No fluff, just the stuff that matters. David Bailey then ran Project Focus, and as always, the room brought their feedback and some great suggestions and contacts for a challenging site....

Planning in Essex is shifting quickly. 📝 Nearly all authorities are failing 5-year housing land supply, meaning the “tilted balance” is now active and housing delivery is taking priority over restrictive policies. With an NPPF rewrite due in 2026, SME support for 10-49 units, faster officer-led decisions, and tighter appeal rules, the system is changing on multiple fronts. Add in 2028 council mergers, BNG easing, and Grey Belt opportunities-timing is critical. Worth paying attention if...