Best Practicable Environmental Option: this term has now been replaced by BAT for environmental optimisation. Permitted nuclear sites may still be using this terminology based on historical practices.

British Property Federation (BPF)

The British Property Federation (BPF) has published its annual analysis of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings for commercial buildings across seven major English cities and found that 81% of stock remains below EPC B. The analysis covered all commercial asset classes in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. It showed that 3% of buildings are rated EPC A and 16% EPC B, leaving around 190 million square metres of commercial floorspace below the proposed future minimum standard, despite year-on-year improvements of only 1–2%. Manchester and London performed best, with 22% and 21% of buildings respectively rated A or B. The Federation attributed the slow pace of improvement to the government’s failure to respond to its 2021 consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards, which proposed targets of EPC C by 2027 and EPC B by 2030, stating that the continued lack of clarity is delaying investment and upgrades and risks large parts of the commercial estate becoming unlettable.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has responded to the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, expressing concerns that proposed ground rent caps could adversely affect investments made by pension funds and institutional investors. The BPF stated that investors who acted in good faith to meet pension liabilities should be fairly compensated, noting that this issue is not addressed in current government announcements. While supporting aspects of the proposed commonhold reforms, including changes to major works funding, the BPF said that plans to abolish forfeiture and introduce a new statutory lease enforcement scheme are sensible but require further scrutiny. It also emphasised that the introduction of commonhold must be carefully phased to allow market participants, including conveyancers, lenders and managing agents, to adapt. The BPF added that it is keen to work with the government as the Bill progresses through Parliament to minimise unnecessary economic harm. The Law Commission has welcomed the proposed implementation of recommendations from its work on commonhold and termination of tenancies and said it looks forward to monitoring the draft Bill’s progress through the legislative process.

The British Property Federation (BPF) and Savills have reported that Build-to-Rent (BtR) completions reached 17,309 homes from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025, bringing the total to 127,150 completed homes. However, the sector faces challenges with homes under construction falling 14% year-on-year, while detailed planning applications declined by 16%. The report identifies delays at the Building Safety Regulator as a key factor contributing towards hindering scheme progression, potentially affecting the government's 1.5m homes target. Additionally, regional BtR growth at 18% has outpaced London's 13%, with 215 local authorities now including BtR in their pipeline.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has announced a 35% increase in Build-to-Rent (BtR) planning consents over the past year, according to its latest analysis conducted by Savills. The analysis also reveals that the total number of completed BtR homes has now surpassed 123,000, with investment volumes for BtR reaching £5bn in 2024. However, the BtR sector continues to face challenges in converting planning consents into construction output, with the number of new homes under construction decreasing by 18% since Q4 2023. The BPF and the Association for Rental Living (ARL) have also established a BtR Taskforce, aimed at promoting the growth of the BtR and single-family rental sectors, protecting consumers, and facilitating public-private partnerships to increase the provision of new homes in the UK. The Taskforce will consider the implementation of a consumer code and the creation of a BtR Code of Practice and Customer Charter, meeting regularly over the next 18 months.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has announced that Build-to-Rent completions have exceeded 120,000 over the past 12 months, reflecting a 23% increase. However, analysis by Savills shows a sharp decline in construction activity, with the number of homes under construction declining by 20% year-on-year.

The British Property Federation (BPF), along with the Boards of the Association of Real Estate Funds and the Investment Property Forum, has announced that they are engaged in discussions to merge and create a new representative body for the UK real estate sector. A Shadow Board, comprising representatives from each organisation, has been established to oversee the next stage of discussions. Over the upcoming months, each organisation will consult with its members, with the Shadow Board aiming to present a formal proposal for members to consider during 2025.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has announced the formation of a Build-to-Rent Alliance in partnership with the Association for Rental Living (ARL). The announcement follows Q2 2025 data showing Build-to-Rent (BTR) completions outpacing starts for the sixth consecutive quarter, while new schemes in planning have decreased by 18% since Q1. This has reduced the year-to-date pipeline of new homes in planning to 5,000. Delays at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have also been identified as impacting BTR delivery across England. The Alliance’s initial priorities include advocating for policy and regulatory reforms to improve investor confidence and address current viability and delivery challenges, as well as improving the consumer experience and overall perception of BTR as the preferred housing tenure within the wider private rented sector. This will be supported by the adoption of a new Consumer Code.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has published a new Plan for Growth calling for the recruitment of 3,000 additional planning officers across England over five years, alongside increased resourcing for the Building Safety Regulator. The plan outlines measures to address planning system digitisation, regulatory reform, and viability challenges. It proposes mandatory local authority assessments for private rented housing needs, including Build to Rent, older people's housing and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. The BPF also recommends implementing a Town Centre Investment Zone model. The proposals aim to support housing delivery, secure investment and regenerate town centres through policy stability and regulatory reform.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has called for action on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Members of the Green Property Alliance, including the BPF, are calling for the government to provide details on energy performance certificate targets, timelines and clarify the rules around exemptions and enforcement that investors need to commit their capital to making the improvements that are necessary to reach net zero. CEO of the BPF, Melanie Leech, expressed her frustration and stated that ‘the country will simply not be able to hit its net zero target unless we accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment.’

The British Property Federation (BPF) has called on the next government to take action to address the acute shortage of affordable homes. The BPF has also commented on the Liberal and Conservative Party’s respective general election manifestos.