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Devolution, infrastructure and housing-led growth
With long-established relationships across England’s city-regions, Mott MacDonald has deep insight into the changes local leaders believe are needed to accelerate economic growth.
Building on this, we conducted targeted interviews with key figures in local and combined authorities to understand how devolution can better support housing-led growth and infrastructure investment.
Through these conversations and insights from our subject matter experts, it became clear that delivering new and upgraded infrastructure is critical to enabling housing and place-based growth. Without devolution addressing this infrastructure need, England will struggle to deliver the homes, communities and economic outcomes it needs — practically and politically.
Inside the report
Devolution means that key decisions on housing, infrastructure and economic growth must be coordinated at a regional level, with a stronger role for strategic authorities in national infrastructure planning.
Densification, a focus on non-transport infrastructure and sustainable active travel networks will be vital to delivering successful places. Regional authorities will also be central to achieving net zero, with greater powers over local and national energy systems.
Empowering regions with flexible, multi-year funding settlements through the devolution process will unlock more strategic, locally tailored investment.
Integrated Settlements can reduce inefficiency and better support long-term goals, such as brownfield regeneration, while innovative funding models are needed to close viability gaps in development.
Devolution success depends on building local capacity, particularly in areas with acute social need.
National support for upskilling, clear guidance on statutory duties and long-term funding settlements are essential to enable effective delivery and sustained growth at the sub-national level.
Devolution must be more than a structural reform — it must drive sustainable economic growth by linking housing, infrastructure and climate goals into a single, place-based vision.
Bold action is needed now, recognising that genuine change will take time, investment and commitment.
Discover the insights
Access the full report to discover how regional growth can be delivered through bold, coordinated action.
Get in touch with our team
UK
Clare Wildfire
Global cities lead
Get in touch
UK
Oliver Steele
Cities Studio leader