2026: A Year of Expectation & Change?

Two words stand out as we look back on 2025: consolidated growth. Over the past year we supported clients through Gateway 2 submissions for some of the UK’s largest and most complex projects, assessed the impacts of emerging processes and technologies, and futureproofed buildings and their designs against their wider climate impacts. Our progress in 2025 strongly positions us and our clients for 2026, which we think will be a year of change as the government implements changes to move toward its long-term goals. Here are several areas we will be watching:

Planning

• NPPF Consultation: More targeted requirements to consider energy infrastructure (including heat networks), overheating risk and climate change adaptation and mitigation in plan-making, but a move away from targets for issues already covered by Building Regulations (e.g. an end to CO­₂ targets in planning policy?).
• London Plan Update: A consultation is anticipated in 2026. Early signals from the GLA suggest a drive to clarify areas of inconsistency and remove duplication with national standards.

Regulation

• Future Homes Standard: After delays in 2025, the government has confirmed it will respond to the consultation in early 2026—though legislation will follow later.
• Heat Networks: Registrations, authorisation, and implementation of Consumer Protection rules start on 27th January.  Technical Standards are set to follow but expect significant pushback due to the extremely onerous reporting and sign off procedures currently proposed.

Design Longevity & Material Selection

• Build-to-Rent Growth: Major developers and investors have turned to this sector to expand growth. Focus on designing for long-term operation and durability will therefore significantly sharpen.  Implementing circular economy principles and using embodied carbon assessments will quantify benefits.

Mitigation & Adaptation

• Awaab’s Law: Its Phase 2 rollout will require social landlords to adopt strategies that prevent homes from becoming excessively hot or cold. New obligations on landlords to investigate and remedy excessive indoor heat or cold hazards that pose a significant risk to tenant health—within prescribed timeframes—just as they must for damp, mould, and cold.
• Energy Poverty: Despite improvements in thermal efficiency, energy poverty remains a challenge. Whole-building approaches will be essential to optimise performance and reduce operational costs.

Technology

• Artificial Intelligence: AI dominated headlines in 2025, but its infrastructure is an important consideration given it demands substantial energy and cooling capacity, which could compete with development needs. Co-location of data centres with heat consumers will continue to be much talked about and may even see meaningful progress towards implementation.
• Exhaust Air Heat Pumps: These systems attracted considerable attention for their ability to deliver efficient mechanical ventilation, space heating, and air tempering (partial mechanical cooling) —particularly in dense, noise-sensitive developments. The integration of air tempering, heating, and ventilation into a single plant is relatively new for residential projects. As adoption grows, understanding performance and applicability will be critical to ensure these systems deliver as expected.

2026 offers opportunities for meaningful progress in planning, regulation, and sustainable design. Staying informed and proactive will be key to navigating these changes.

From all of us at Hodkinson Consultancy, we wish you a safe and happy festive season and look forward to working with you in the new year.