Spotlight: Lib Dem conference review, grid connection delays and Grey Belt guidance

Political conversation this week has been shaped by the Liberal Democrat party conference, where growth and energy featured heavily. Sir Ed Davey backed new North Sea gas drilling at Jackdaw to progress energy sovereignty, and Daisy Cooper pledged to end the 'computer says no' approach to planning. Meanwhile, Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, has said the UK must "electrify now", and ministers have indicated that they may update Grey Belt guidance in response to concerns from MPs.

The implications for developers are clear – delivery is the priority across parties, but it comes as no surprise that grid capacity and planning certainty remain the key pressure points. With Labour heading to Liverpool this weekend for Andy Burnham's first conference as Prime Minister, industry will be watching closely for signals on how these priorities will be taken forward.

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‍Spotlight on next week

• Labour Party conference starts in Liverpool on Sunday, 27^th September. Stay tuned for updates on relevant announcements for our sectors.  

• Luminate’s take on the Liberal Democrats’ conference can be read here.

• Parliament is still in recess for party conferences and will return on 12th October.  

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‍This week’s headlines:

‍ENERGY

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TOP STORY: ✒️ Ofgem moves to free up grid capacity by tackling excess battery projects | Ofgem

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Ofgem is minded to require battery storage projects in the grid queue to show financial commitment if the queue stays oversubscribed. For energy developers, holding a speculative grid position could become more expensive, favouring projects that are already funded and consented.

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We’ve also been reading:

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✒️ ‘People’s Power’ projects to give more control over local energy | Great British Energy

✒️ 70th IAEA General Conference: UK national statement | Speech by Michael Shanks MP at IAEA General Conference, Vienna

📰 UK regulator looks to cut down BESS interconnection backlog with extra financial commitment | Energy Storage News

📰 UK must ‘electrify now’, says energy secretary | Financial Times (paywall)

📰 Grid connection delays could hold back investment in infrastructure, says Centrica | New Civil Engineer (paywall)

📰 Exclusive: UK minister Michael Shanks urges public to have 'patience' with GB Energy | The Scotsman

📰 Lib Dem leader Ed Davey supports new North Sea gas drilling at Jackdaw | BBC News

📰 UK clean energy expansion outpacing cybersecurity | Energy Voice

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INFRASTRUCTURE

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TOP STORY: 📰 Sizewell C secures planning approval for production facility | Nuclear Industry Association

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Sizewell C has secured planning permission for an Avonmouth facility making tunnel segments and heads, supporting up to 400 jobs. Components will go to Suffolk by rail and sea, with production expected to begin in 2028. For infrastructure developers, supply chain planning, local jobs and reduced road traffic are now central to the case for major projects.

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We’ve also been reading:

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✒️ Councillors back bold plans to upgrade transport across Lancashire | Lancashire County Council News

🗣️ Liberal Democrat conference 2026: Does Daisy Cooper’s growth plan add up? | Institute for Government

🗣️ Delivering the UK’s critical infrastructure is a national priority, Sir Alex Chisholm, UK Chair, EDF | Politics Home

📰 Scottish Government sets out £15m flood resilience programme | Water Magazine

📰 ‘Smarter risk-sharing’ between government, investors and asset owners needed for UK’s ageing infrastructure | New Civil Engineer (paywall)

📰 Government’s lack of planning in case data centres fall into disuse ‘alarming’ | New Civil Engineer (paywall)

📰 Lib Dem Daisy Cooper vows to end 'computer says no' economy to boost growth | BBC News

📰 EU to require data centres to disclose energy and water efficiency | Reuters (paywall)

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DEVELOPMENT

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TOP STORY: ✒️ £21.8m funding boost to help councils build more affordable homes | Press release from Homes England

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The government is adding £21.8 million to the Council Housebuilding Support Fund, helping around 75 councils build skills and capacity to bid for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme. Bidding is open until the 2^nd of November. For housing developers, better resourced councils should bring forward more schemes, creating openings to partner with them.

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We’ve also been reading:

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🗣️Grey Belt Land: Definition and Application | Transcript of Parliamentary Statement from The Rt Hon Matthew Pennycook MP, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

📰 Ministers may update planning guidance on grey belt, Pennycook reveals in response to MPs' concerns | Planning Resource (paywall)

📰 Rewiring council housebuilding: A programme for the 21st century | Centre for Cities  

📰 Welsh housing sector bodies welcome new Programme for Government priorities ahead of next election | Inside Housing  

📰 First-time-buyer ISA in new plan to fix 'slow housing market crash' | iNews  

📰 London needs more social homes – and Liberal Democrat boroughs are determined to deliver | Liberal Democrat Voice  

📰'We need to be one of those major house builders again' | Local Government Chronicle  

📰 Construction needs more than pledges to boost the sector | PBC Today