Mills & Reeve

Built environment brief

Business EN ↓ 6 episodes

Built environment brief is the podcast from Mills & Reeve that brings clarity to the complexities of the built environment. Each episode explores the legal, commercial and strategic issues shaping the sector – from real estate investment and finance to development & regeneration and living matters. With insights from our leading specialists and industry guests, we unpack the trends, challenges and opportunities that matter most to those driving change across the built environment. Whether you're an investor, developer, funder, owner or occupier, this series offers practical guidance and fres...

Author

Mills & Reeve

Episodes

Ep. 6 - Shaping communities: Navigating stewardship and placemaking 11.06.2026 26:44

In this episode, the discussion revolves around the critical themes of stewardship and placemaking in new town developments. Host Anna Aldous is joined by SallyAnne Logan (Community Stewardship Solutions) and Katy Lock (Town and Country Planning Association). They explore the meaning of stewardship, its distinction from placemaking, and its importance in long-term community development. The conver...

Ep. 5 - Renters' Rights Act explained 30.04.2026 15:20

In this episode, Samuel Maw speaks to James Hordern about the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force on 1 May – the biggest shake up of the private rented sector since 1989. They cover the end of Section 21 “no fault” evictions, the move to periodic tenancies, new rules on rent, discrimination and rent in advance. They also explore what a more complex possession process means for landlords and tena...

Ep. 4 - Business rates assessments, serviced offices and the VOA 09.04.2026 21:07

In this episode, Richard New, real estate partner at Mills & Reeve, is joined by Richard Roberts, chartered surveyor and managing director at Roberts Vain Wilshaw. Together, they unpack a major shift in how the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is assessing business rates for serviced office buildings. They discuss the impact of the Ludgate House decision and “paramount control”, the loss of small...

Ep. 3 - Unlocking growth in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: In conversation with Paul Bristow 22.01.2026 14:19

In this episode, Beverley Firth (planning lawyer at Mills & Reeve) sits down with and Paul Bristow (mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority) to discuss his vision for growth in the region. Paul talks us through his ambitions for the region’s future. He outlines his new growth plan, the infrastructure and political alignment and collaboration needed to deliver it (from both...

Ep. 2 - Let’s talk about tech 18.12.2025 13:34

Anna Aldous is joined by construction engineer and proptech startup founder Nathan Reid, Urban&Civic and Morero. They discuss how technology interacts with the construction industry and what opportunities there are to make further progress. Is it a case of an outright replacement of a labour force by technology? What’s the future role for consultants in advising on the built environment sector...

Ep. 1 - To BE or not to BE 05.11.2025 14:15

Welcome to Mills & Reeve’s “Built environment brief”, our new podcast exploring the stories behind transforming spaces into great places. In the first episode, Anna Aldous is joined by our newly appointed sector leader and real estate partner, Carina Davis, and our head of affordable housing, Namita Matkar. Together, they discuss the evolving built environment, our real estate sector rebrand,...