Wee Notes & Breaking News

Welcome to 2026

Another year bites the dust and we emerge blinking into the sunlight of a new dawn. This may be pushing it in these current times however, there is much to look forward to in 2026. Here are some thoughts for the New Year.

I have my criticisms of the NPF4 Planning policy but on the positive side it does recognise the need to seriously address the matter of flood risk to our communities. Coupled with the updated SEPA Flood Maps I think that Councils are now moving forward and I am seeing some sites where multiple gains are being considered by Councils in their interpretation of Planning policy - a good thing which should be applauded. 

A linked ray of sunshine is the development of ever more sophisticated and robust hydraulic models for development purposes which allows consultants and regulators the chance to properly assess risk to prospective communities.

Likewise I can identify a number of important instances where consideration to building communities is forming part of larger scale housing developments and where older Brownfield sites are being rejuvenated. 

I see increased collaboration between housebuilders to address complex sites at the Masterplan stage, particularly with respect to passed mine workings and how to best accommodate these legacy features.

And finally, I am seeing some flexibility in some Councils in their capacity to address historic groundwater contamination which may well result in pragmatic and suitable measures to deal with this problem.  

All of these areas for a core part in the work by Terrenus where our skilled staff find solutions to complex development problems. We look forward to serving our clients and expanding into 2026.