Earlier today (29 January), Rachel Reeves spelled out a series of major announcements on infrastructure projects, resurrecting a number of stalled or previously shelved schemes as part of the Labour governments ambition to go further and faster to kickstart economic growth.As well as the big ticket items, Reeves spelled out proposals to limit potential judicial review actions which could derail large-scale developments and a new approach to planning decisions on land around stations, changing the default answer to yes for homes and offices.Her most controversial announcement was her backing to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport, which, although approved by parliament in mid-June 2018, has been beset by legal challenges and widely condemned by climate campaigners.AdvertisementIn 2020 Grimshaw, which had been working on the airports 14 billion expansion scheme before the plans were put on hold after being deemed unlawful by the Court of Appeal on environmental grounds, was forced to lay off staff connected to the job. The AJ100 practice had beaten Zaha Hadid Architects, Benoy and HOK in the contest to design a new hub airport of the future four years before.Justifying her decision to push forward with the on-off expansion, Reeves said a third runway would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected. She tied in the announcement with a commitment to modernise UK airspace [by] transitioning to greener aviation. Reeves claimed sustainable aviation fuel reduces CO2 emissions compared to fossil jet fuel by around 70 per cent and would be supporting UK producers by investing 63 million in 2025-26 into the Advanced Fuels Fund.The chancellor said she had invited Heathrow Airport to submit plans to expand the airportReeves confirmed transport secretary Heidi Alexander would be taking decisions shortly on expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton, and that the government would work with Doncaster Council and the mayor of South Yorkshire to support efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.Elsewhere Reeves resuscitated the idea of the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor an idea which has been on the drawing board for nearly two decades saying this science and technology-focused region could add 78 billion to the UK economy by 2035.AdvertisementFour years ago, construction of a 3.5 billion Oxford to Cambridge expressway was cancelled after analysis showed the benefits the road would deliver were outweighed by its costs.But today Reeves confirmed funding for transport projects in the region, including an upgrade on the A428 between Milton Keynes and Cambridge as well as a new East West Rail line.She also mentioned the government had received 18 submissions for sizeable new developments along the route of this rail link, with new and expanded communities in the growth corridor.Responding to the news, dRMMs Sadie Morgan, a member of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: The chancellors green light to unleash the Oxford to Cambridge corridors full economic potential is welcome news after a number of false starts, and Im pleased the governments ambition matches the scale of transformation we envisaged in the Commissions original report in 2017.It is vital that the transport, water and housing constraints on economic growth in one of the UKs most productive areas are removed filling in gaps on East West Rail, improving the regions strategic roads and concerted action to secure its water supplies are therefore significant steps forward. The governments compelling vision for the corridor must now be turned into a comprehensive economic plan.Reeves has also signalled the governments support for the redevelopment of Manchester Uniteds Old Trafford home and surrounding area an emerging masterplan which is being overseen by Foster + Partners. Source:Manchester UnitedManchester United's September 2024 Old Trafford masterplan proposalsThe Premier League club is due to decide at the end of the season on whether to revamp and extend the existing stadium into an 87,000-capacity venue or build a brand-new 100,000-capacity ground.It is understood the government money will be used to move three rail freight terminals which lie in the way of the proposed redevelopment, which could create 5,000 homes and a second major football campus across the city from Manchester Citys large sports complex in the east.Reacting to the chancellors announcements, Allan Wiln, economic director at construction analysts Glenigan, said: While major projects take time to break ground, a firm government commitment to fresh investment in the built environment could have an immediate positive effect - bolstering private sector confidence and accelerating project pipelines.,Government commitments to fresh investment could have an immediate positive effectCutting red tape in the planning process would further unlock development, ensuring projects move from approval to construction more quickly.However, he added: But planning reform alone wont be enough to deliver the promised building boom. Supply chains, skilled labour, and market confidence must also align. The governments 10-Year Infrastructure Working Paper acknowledges this, but success will depend on real, sustained investment in workforce development and supply chain resilience.Without this, even the most ambitious planning overhaul risks being undermined by practical constraints on delivery.CommentsMuyiwa Oki, president of the Royal Institute of British ArchitectsThe governments focus on delivering new homes and national infrastructure is great news these are essential drivers for economic growth and moves to unlock land near transport hubs can be transformative. We need vibrant, well-connected neighbourhoods with everything from accessible transport to green space and bustling local centres.But quality matters when creating new developments. Architecture plays a crucial role in ensuring that new places are sustainable, liveable and fit for the future. We remain ready to work with government to meet this challenge head-on. We look forward to seeing more detail in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.Janet Young, director general of the Institution of Civil EngineersInvestors and the construction supply chain need certainty so that they are confident that the UK is an attractive place to deliver infrastructure and updating the Green Book could help address regional imbalances in investment.While more detail is needed on how the government will support growth and meet its net zero ambitions, delivering infrastructure and meeting the countrys climate objectives shouldnt be seen as an either/or choice. Planning and delivering the right infrastructure can go hand in hand with achieving the countrys net zero ambitions.