Schemes designated ‘nationally significant’ as part of wider efforts to unlock housing growth and address long-term infrastructure shortfalls Source: LDA DesignA rendering of the proposed new Lincolnshire reservoir Two new reservoir projects proposed by Anglian Water and Cambridge Water have been awarded nationally significant infrastructure status, with the government stepping in to fast-track the planning process amid growing concern about the impact of water shortages on housing and economic development. The reservoirs, located near March in Cambridgeshire and south of Sleaford in Lincolnshire, are now set to bypass the local decision-making process and will be determined directly by Steve Read, the environment secretary. The intervention forms part of the government’s broader “plan for change”, which seeks to accelerate the delivery of 150 major infrastructure projects and support the construction of 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current parliament. Design proposals, developed by LDA Design and Fereday Pollard, include sculpted embankments formed from excavated soil, integrated wetland habitats and publicly accessible routes intended to support recreation and biodiversity. According to government figures, the Fens Reservoir is expected to supply around 87 million litres of water per day to 250,000 homes when completed in 2036. The Lincolnshire Reservoir would deliver up to 166 million litres per day for as many as 500,000 homes, with an anticipated completion date of 2040. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the decision to intervene reflects the urgency of addressing regional water stress. “Today we are backing the builders not the blockers, intervening in the national interest and slashing red tape to make the planning process faster to unblock nine new reservoirs,” said water minister Emma Hardy. “This government will secure our water supply for future generations and unlock the building of thousands of homes as part of the plan for change.” Source: LDA DesignA rendering of the proposed new Fens reservoir The reservoirs are being brought forward against a backdrop of strained infrastructure capacity and an extended period without new large-scale water storage projects. No major reservoirs have been delivered in England since 1992. According to the government, the combination of population growth, ageing infrastructure and climate change has created “a significant risk that the UK could run out of clean drinking water by the middle of the next decade”. Water scarcity has already delayed housing development in parts of the east of England and South-east, including in Cambridge and north Sussex. The government has said that the Fens and Lincolnshire reservoirs will help to address these blockages by providing the baseline infrastructure needed for new homes to proceed. David Black, chief executive of Ofwat, said: “We welcome the clear focus the government is placing upon accelerating the delivery of supply and resilience schemes that will meet our future water needs and support economic growth. Alongside the £2bn of development funding announced at our 2024 price review, this will help us to deliver the largest programme of major water infrastructure projects seen in decades.” The Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire schemes are two of nine reservoirs across England that water companies have committed to deliver by 2050. Together, they are expected to add 670 million litres per day to the national supply.

300 homes have already been built at Bishop’s Stortford siteA £200m plan by Network Rail to turn an area around Bishop’s Stortford station in Hertfordshire into new homes and commercial space has been approved by the local council. Under the plans, more than 700 homes will be built at the former Goods Yard  The network operator has teamed up with Kier’s property arm to turn the area around the Goods Yard into more than 400 homes. Called Solum Regeneration, the pair have already built more than 300 homes a multi-storey car park after East Herts district council gave the original scheme the green light in 2018. The latest proposals, designed by Pollard Thomas Edwards, follow a masterplan that was endorsed by the council three years ago. The scheme  includes 423 homes, improved pedestrian links from the station to the town centre and upgrades to the station forecourt.  Solum Regeneration is a joint venture between Network Rail and Kier Property which has been set up to bring private investment into the rail network by generating funds from the development of under-used railway land.

14 winning schemes include a retrofitted telephone exchange, Passivhaus almshouses and a converted barn Source: Jack HobhouseYoungs Court Development at Emmanuel College by Stanton Williams An infill development for Emmanuel College, Cambridge by Stanton Williams has been named RIBA East Building of the Year 2025. The scheme includes new accommodation and communal facilities for students. The Young’s Court Development was praised by the jury for how it “sits comfortably and effortlessly on site” and “subtly elevates the experience of student life”. The panel also described it as a “model for how to conserve and enhance a historic place for future generations”. Source: Jack HobhouseThe Entopia Building, Cambridge, designed by Architype with Feilden and Mawson and Eve Waldron Design Among the 14 winning projects is The Entopia Building, also in Cambridge, designed by Architype with Feilden and Mawson and Eve Waldron Design. The project involved the reuse of a 1930s telephone exchange as a new home for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. It was also recognised with the Sustainability and Project Architect of the Year awards. Source: Valentin LynchJankes Barn by Lynch Architects Jankes Barn by Lynch Architects was awarded both a regional award and the Conservation Award. The project involved the conversion of a disused barn in Essex into a contemporary rural home. Source: David ButlerDovehouse Court Almshouses by Mole Architects Dovehouse Court Almshouses by Mole Architects, a new Passivhaus development in Cambridge for residents over 55, also featured among the winners. The project delivered energy-efficient later-life living within a setting designed to promote social interaction. RIBA Central Regional Director Matt Blakeley said: “Congratulations to all the Award winners in the East region. This year, the breadth of schemes recognised is a remarkable statement to the ambition and vision of the region. “These projects exemplify not only admirable excellence in design and beauty, but a bold commitment to architecture’s vital role in our environmental goals and social impact.” The Discovery Centre (DISC) by Herzog & de Meuron with BDPSource: Hufton+Crow Sunspot by HAT ProjectsSource: Jim Stephenson Cast Corbel House by GraftedSource: French+Tye Knights Park by Pollard Thomas Edwards and Alison Brooks ArchitectsSource: Paul Riddle Knights Park by Pollard Thomas Edwards and Alison Brooks ArchitectsSource: Alison Brooks Architects Harpenden House by Emil Eve ArchitectsSource: Taran Wilkhu Housestead by Sanei Hopkins ArchitectsSource: Peter Landers Photography North Sea East Wood by Hayhurst & CoSource: Kilian O’Sullivan Mill Hide by Poulson ArchitectureSource: Nick Guttridge Clayworth by ArkleBoyce ArchitectsSource: Jim Stephenson Clayworth by ArkleBoyce ArchitectsSource: Jim Stephenson Amento by James Gorst ArchitectsSource: James Retief 1/12 show caption The other winning projects were: The Discovery Centre (DISC) by Herzog & de Meuron with BDP, a medical research facility for AstraZeneca in Cambridge Sunspot by HAT Projects, a coastal community hub in Essex with flexible units, a café and market hall Cast Corbel House by Grafted, an extension to a Norwich home Knights Park by Pollard Thomas Edwards and Alison Brooks Architects, a large-scale housing scheme in Eddington delivering 249 net-zero homes Harpenden House by Emil Eve Architects, the renovation and extension of a Victorian villa previously used as a nursery Housestead by Sanei Hopkins Architects, a coastal home in Suffolk North Sea East Wood by Hayhurst & Co, a reworking of a 1980s bungalow in Norfolk, also named Small Project of the Year Mill Hide by Poulson Architecture, a low-energy single-storey villa designed to meet future accessibility needs Clayworth by ArkleBoyce Architects, a contemporary family home Amento by James Gorst Architects, a single-storey rural dwelling Regional award winners will now be considered for a RIBA National Award, which will be announced on 10 July.  The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK’s building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.