Day: 27 May 2026

Tall Buildings in Manchester: Growth, Policy and Development Risk

by

Manchester’s skyline has changed significantly over the past decade. What was once a city defined largely by mid-rise commercial, civic and industrial buildings is now increasingly shaped by residential towers, mixed-use developments and high-density regeneration schemes.
Recent coverage of Manchester’s tall building boom reflects a wider point: the city’s vertical growth is no longer incidental. It is now central to Manchester’s development story.
Recent market reporting suggests Manchester has one of the largest tall building pipelines outside London. Barbour ABI’s High Rise Construction Market Report has been cited as identifying more than 200 towers over 50 metres, including 26 buildings over 100 metres and 10 over 150 metres. In 2017, Manchester reportedly had only four buildings over 100 metres.
For developers, funders and legal advisers, this raises an important question. How can growth be delivered at scale while managing the legal, planning and neighbourly risks that inevitably arise in a denser urban environment?

New Lottery Company v Gambling Commission: High Court reinforces the high bar for procurement challenges

by

The High Court’s decision in New Lottery Company v Gambling Commission [2026] EWHC 891 (TCC) provides an important reminder of the evidential and legal burden facing claimants in complex procurement disputes.
The case arose from the award of the fourth UK National Lottery Licence to Allwyn. The incumbent operator’s bid vehicle, New Lottery Company, challenged the procurement process, including the evaluation and scoring of bids, as well as subsequent modifications made to the licence after award. Damages of up to £1.3 billion were reportedly sought.
The Court dismissed the claims in their entirety.
For lawyers, public bodies, developers, investors and other stakeholders involved in regulated procurement processes, the judgment is significant. It reinforces the Court’s reluctance to interfere with complex procurement evaluations unless there is a clear legal basis to do so. It also highlights the commercial impact that procurement challenges can have, even where they ultimately fail.

Spain’s Energy Transition: Progress, Pressure and System Risk

by

Spain has emerged as one of Europe’s leading renewable energy markets. Rapid deployment of solar and wind generation, combined with reduced exposure to imported gas, has positioned the country as a central case study in the European energy transition.

For policymakers, investors and infrastructure participants, Spain has increasingly been viewed as evidence that decarbonisation and energy security can be pursued simultaneously. Lower wholesale electricity prices, significant renewable capacity growth and continued policy support have reinforced that narrative.

However, the nationwide blackout on 28 April 2025 introduced a more complex discussion.

While initial commentary sought to attribute the outage to the high penetration of renewable energy within the system, subsequent analysis has pointed elsewhere. The incident instead highlighted a broader issue facing multiple European markets: whether grid infrastructure, operational systems and regulatory frameworks are evolving quickly enough to support large-scale renewable deployment.

For lawyers, lenders, insurers and developers, this distinction matters.

The key legal and commercial risks in the energy transition are increasingly moving beyond the question of whether projects can be developed. The focus is shifting toward whether energy systems can operate reliably, flexibly and accountably at scale.

Germany’s Renewable Energy Market in 2026: Growth, Litigation Risk and the Role of Insurance

by

Germany remains one of Europe’s most important renewable energy markets. With ambitious 2030 targets, continued growth in wind and solar, and increasing focus on battery energy storage systems, the direction of travel is clear.

The German market is moving at scale.

Renewable installed capacity increased by nearly 21 GW in 2025, reaching just under 210 GW in total. Renewables also accounted for around 55% of gross electricity consumption, against Germany’s target of 80% by 2030.

For developers, lenders and legal advisers, this creates significant opportunity. However, it also brings a familiar challenge: the gap between policy ambition and project delivery.

Permitting reform may support faster deployment, but litigation risk continues to affect renewable energy schemes. Legal challenges can delay construction, require project modifications and create additional, unbudgeted costs before any final judgment is reached.

For lawyers advising on renewable energy projects, the question is no longer simply whether a permit can be obtained. It is whether the project can withstand the financial consequences of challenge, suspension and interruption.