New planning rules in the updated National Planning Policy Framework introduce default approval for residential schemes around rail and other transport stations, with central government signalling “thousands” of new homes in these high-accessibility zones. Local plans will now have to meet new minimum housing expectations specifically for station catchments, tightening density requirements where infrastructure capacity already exists. For civil and geotechnical engineers, this points to intensified brownfield redevelopment near rail corridors and interchanges, with higher mid-rise loading, constrained footprints and complex ground conditions becoming more common.

US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis has dismissed US bribery and fraud charges against Gautam Adani over alleged $250 million payments to Indian officials for solar contracts, while sharply criticising the Justice Department’s “highly unusual” internal process. The judge singled out Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter for sidelining line prosecutors and relying on a word-count argument that labelled the case “primarily foreign”, and raised concerns about the authenticity of documents submitted. The ruling removes a major criminal overhang as Adani Group advances nearly $15 billion in new investments and a $1.6 billion share sale after recent SEC and OFAC settlements totalling $293 million.

Concerns over the “functioning independence” of the Office for Nuclear Regulation have been raised in the House of Lords after the regulator’s sponsorship was moved from the Department for Work and Pensions to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which is directly responsible for nuclear policy and new build. Critics argue that placing the safety regulator under the same department promoting Sizewell C, small modular reactors and lifetime extensions could create perceived conflicts of interest. For civil and nuclear engineers, this may affect confidence in regulatory decisions on reactor design approvals, site licensing and safety case scrutiny.