New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill to take centre stage at UK Construction Week London

The construction industry is facing one of the most significant waves of regulatory reform in recent years, from the Building Safety Act to the government’s proposed Warm Homes Bill and changes to planning legislation.

These issues will take centre stage at UK Construction Week London (Excel, May 12-14) where policymakers, developers and contractors will examine how the new regulations will reshape the sector.

Bringing together construction leaders, innovators and decision makers from across the industry, UKCW London will run alongside both Futurebuild and The Stone & Surfaces Show to create the UK’s Built Environment super event, attracting over 25,000 industry professionals.

Across three packed days at Excel, UK Construction Week London will explore a wide spectrum of the most pressing and important topics which affect the industry today, with a packed programme of CPD-accredited panels and seminars covering everything from innovation in construction methods to product testing and assurance; housing insight to workforce capacity; workplace culture to data-driven project management.

Confirmed talks around policy and legislation include:

Housing Action Hub

Managing Impacts for Nature at Scale: What Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act Means for Housing Development

Unpacking Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act and the role of Natural England’s Environmental Delivery Plans in shaping how ecological impacts of developments are managed going forward.

Speakers: TBC

From Planning to Progress: Collaborating to Turn Plans into Homes

This session will explore obstacles holding schemes back and how greater collaboration across the sector can help unlock pipelines and accelerate delivery.

Speakers: TBC

After the Ballot Box: What Local Elections Mean for Housing Delivery

How will the outcomes of local elections influence housing construction priorities, planning decisions, and delivery pipelines across the UK? The panel will explore shifts in political leadership, policy direction, and local authority appetite for development - and what this means in practice for developers, housing associations, and contractors.

Speakers: Marie-Claude Hemming (Association for Consultancy & Engineering (ACE))

The Warm Homes Bill in Practice: What It Means for Installers, Contractors, and Developers

How the Warm Homes Bill translates into real expectations for those designing, building, and upgrading homes. The panel will focus on what the legislation means on the ground, from fabric-first retrofit and heating performance to moisture control, quality assurance, and coordination across the supply chain.

Speakers: TBC

Culture Change & Skills Hub

Competency Under the Building Safety Act: Legal Duties and Insurance Implications

New competency frameworks emerging under the Building Safety Act are reshaping expectations across the construction industry. This panel will examine what these requirements mean in legal terms, how skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours must now be demonstrated, and where liability sits if standards are not met.

Speakers: TBC

Marketing & Procurement Hub

From Review to Reality: The Next Phase of Construction Product Reform

The panel will examine the direction of travel, key regulatory expectations, and the risks of inaction as reform moves from policy to enforcement. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what to prioritise now to stay compliant, credible, and competitive.

Speakers: Amanda Long (Construction Product Information)

Sam Patel, Divisional Director, UK Construction Week London, commented: “The construction industry is entering a period of significant regulatory change. From building safety reforms to planning policy and product regulation, these changes will have real implications for how projects are designed, delivered and approved.

“UK Construction Week provides a forum where the industry can openly discuss these changes and understand what they mean in practice.”

Sponsored by Sage, Wyre, HotelPlanner, Zurich Resilience Solutions and Build Warranty, UKCW London will feature over 300 leading brands; over 25 trade bodies and associations, including the Federation of Master Builders, CIBSE, and the National Association Of Air Duct-Cleaners UK.

Visitors can register for free by visiting: https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2026/cab-campaign.

Following the London show in May 2026, UKCW Birmingham will return to the NEC from 29 September to 1 October 2026.

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