Urban design

The latest research by Woods Hardwick, the independent architecture, engineering, planning and surveying consultants, has shown that England’s green belt covers 12.5% of the nation’s total land area and could facilitate the construction of over 73.7m new-build plots - with just 1.4% of green belt land required to deliver the government’s target of 1m homes by the next election.

Yesterday Planning Director Paul Woods alongside Centre for the New Midlands’ Chris Smith, presented at the British BIDS conference, looking at the Levelling Up agenda and what it means for UK High Streets.
The event focused on BIDs, Culture and Communities, looking at how they can work together to drive economic growth and help their communities - with the main message; the need for greater collaboration.

Paul Wright joined Woods Hardwick as an Associate in our Residential Architecture team in August 2021.
A RIBA Chartered Architect with experience working both in practice and for a residential developer, Paul shares more about his role and why a career in architecture is so rewarding.

Paul Woods is one of Woods Hardwick’s Planning Directors, and manages the Planning business in our new central London office. Having joined the team in June 2020, Paul was formerly Managing Director of Edge 4 Planning, and Director and Head of Infrastructure Planning at UK Planning practice, GL Hearn, part of Capita Plc. 
Here we find out more about Paul’s vision for London and how the Woods Hardwick Planning and Architecture teams are bringing their multidisciplinary expertise to the capital. 

Over the past decade, Birmingham has seen a surge in development and investment, with focus on the regeneration of key city centre sites. 
This has seen new residential communities formed in the central area alongside retail, business and cultural destinations. 

The construction industry is ramping up its use of modular construction.
Against the backdrop of the housing crisis, a lack of affordable homes, planning reform and a skills shortage  - throw in a global pandemic - and the current landscape needs to be reviewed - and quick!

As we emerge out of lockdown, to say that Birmingham is a hive of development activity is quite the understatement!  With HS2, plans for next year’s Commonwealth Games, the expansion of