Spotlight: Grid constraints, Stratford International and a Budget week for housing and infrastructure

This week’s Spotlight is dominated by the grid. Onshore wind applications in England have hit a ten-year high following the reversal of the 2024 de facto ban, but the schemes are mostly small, and Caeli Wind warns that grid access will decide how many are ultimately built. The NESO whistleblowing investigation found no evidence of misconduct, though Ofgem has said that questions remain about electricity security. The government also approved the controversial Jackdaw North Sea gas field development, though reports suggest it will refuse the more significant Rosebank oilfield.

On infrastructure, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says plans for international trains to stop at Stratford are close to being "over the line," although Eurostar has declined a second stop. The plan now depends on Virgin Trains, which gains access through the Channel Tunnel from 2030, with stops in Kent also under consideration. Microsoft has pulled out of an Essex data centre over power supply concerns. On development, the Chartered Institute of Housing warns that the 1.5 million homes target will be missed by a third, with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner admitting the chances are “slim”.

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Spotlight on next week:

• John Healey will deliver his first Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28 October. With a commitment to stay within the government’s fiscal rules, an uncertain global backdrop, and pressures to invest in public services – his options are limited. We have previewed the budget here, and we will be providing full analysis of what it means for our sectors next week.
• There are a number of relevant Westminster Hall debates taking place next week, including National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions (Wednesday, 4pm), Delivery of Council Housing (Tuesday 2.30pm) and Economic Growth in Towns [HMT] (Tuesday 11am).

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This week’s headlines:

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ENERGY

TOP STORY: 📰 UK Onshore Wind Applications Hit 10-Year High Under Labour | Energy Digital

Developers submitted around 45 onshore wind applications in England in the year to March 2026, the most since the de facto ban, which was reversed in 2024 after nine years. Most of the schemes are small, averaging two turbines and 8MW, and Caeli Wind warns that grid access and site quality will decide how many are actually built.

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✒ Jackdaw gas field gets green light | Press release from

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, HM Treasury, North Sea Transition Authority, The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, The Rt Hon John Healey MP, The Rt Hon Miatta Fahnbulleh MP and The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

✒ Chancellor announces £2bn Energy Wealth Fund backed by North Sea | Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

✒ Nuclear collaboration completes its mission | News story from Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, AWE Nuclear Security Technologies, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ministry of Defence

✒ Global Energy Security Index 2026 | Adam Smith Institute

✒ NESO Whistleblowing Investigation Final Report | NESO

📰 Industry urges clean energy push after Jackdaw approval | reNEWS

📰 Independent investigation finds no evidence of NESO misconduct | Solar Power Portal

📰 Community benefit on the agenda as GB Energy officials visit Shetland | Shetland News

📰 ‘Concerning issues’ found at GB power grid by inquiry into cover-up claims | The Guardian

📰 ‘No evidence to substantiate’ allegations made against Neso, but questions remain about electricity security, says Ofgem | New Civil Engineer (paywall)

📰 Cost of balancing grid soars to £50 million a day | Energy Live News

📰 Low Carbon launches Dengie Peninsula Energy Park in Essex | Energy Global

📰 Turning the tides: Could hidden sea power energise UK coastal towns? | BBC News

📰 Ofgem opens $4.6bn tender for Hornsea 3 offshore transmission assets | Power Technology

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INFRASTRUCTURE

TOP STORY: 📰 Sadiq Khan: Plan for international trains to stop at second major London station almost 'over the line' | The Standard

Sadiq Khan says plans for international trains to stop at Stratford International are close to being "over the line." City Hall has applied for a Business Rates Retention Zone around the station to help fund the upgrades and Khan claims the plan could bring in an extra £1.3bn in tourist spending. The main obstacle is that Eurostar has declined a second London stop, so the plan depends on Virgin Trains, which gains track access from 2030, agreeing to run services. Stops in Kent are also under consideration.

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✒ OEP seeks evidence of regulatory and practical blockers delaying nature recovery measures in England | Office for Environmental Protection

✒ Great British Railways takes shape as HQ and apprenticeship scheme confirmed | Press release from Department for Transport, Department for Work and Pensions, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP and The Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP

✒ Sir John Kingman appointed as Great British Railways Chair | Press release from Department for Transport, DfT Operator Limited and The Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP

📰 What has the government got planned for infrastructure? | New Civil Engineer (paywall)

📰 OEP seeks evidence of barriers to nature recovery in England | Water Magazine

📰 Microsoft pulls out of AI datacentre project in Essex over power supply concerns | The Guardian

📰 Ex-HS2 analyst urges review of £58bn cancellation estimate | Construction News

📰 £19bn lost from England’s economic growth, as poorer transport, jobs and infrastructure holds back counties and rural areas | County Councils News

📰 New Rail Station Confirmed for Bradford Interchange | Railway News

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DEVELOPMENT

TOP STORY: 📰 CIH warns 1.5m homes target on course to be missed | pbc today

The Chartered Institute of Housing warns that the government's 1.5m homes target will be missed by a third, with a figure of around 1 million homes more likely to be delivered. That is worse than its earlier forecast of a 25% shortfall. It blames high interest rates, rising construction costs, tight viability and housing associations being stretched by energy efficiency, heat network and Decent Homes Standard costs. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner admitted the chances of hitting the target are 'slim.' The pressure to unblock delivery is likely to grow, and the Autumn Budget next week is the next big moment for the sector.

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✒ 2026 UK Housing Review Autumn Briefing Paper | Chartered Institute of Housing

✒ The Future of the Green Belt | Centre for Policy Studies

📰 ‘Devolution makes UK more investable,’ says German firm spending £1bn on UK housing | Construction Management

📰 CIH warns 1.5m homes target on course to be missed | pbc today

📰 The Rise of Reform: What it means for private sector planners | pbc today

📰 Insight - Autumn Budget 2026: what are the key asks for housing? | Social Housing

📰 Budget 2026: It’s impact on Housing, Development and Growth | Brookbanks

📰 How early planning in construction changes project culture | pbc today

📰 Councils revolt against government planning committee reforms | Property Week

📰 Burnham ‘cooling’ on new towns in favour of devolution drive | Architects Journal

📰 Government must show commitment to new towns to drive supply of building materials, committee finds | Inside Housing

📰 UK housing market showing signs of mortgage rates impact, Rightmove says | Reuters