“Levelling up” has been one of the most prominent policy ambitions shaping the UK’s regional growth agenda. Over the past few years, the concept has influenced infrastructure strategies, housing programmes and regional investment plans across the North of England.
However, as the conversation around levelling up continues to evolve, attention is increasingly turning towards delivery. Ambition and investment announcements have helped set the direction of travel, but many stakeholders across the property and development sectors are now asking a more practical question:
What needs to change in the next 12 months to ensure levelling up translates into real progress on the ground?
Moving from Strategy to Implementation
Large-scale regional strategies often take time to translate into tangible outcomes. Infrastructure upgrades, regeneration projects and housing developments all require coordination between multiple stakeholders.
National government, local authorities, developers and investors each play a role in shaping how regional initiatives are implemented. However, aligning priorities, timelines and funding structures can be complex.
Ensuring that levelling up moves from long-term strategy to practical implementation requires continued collaboration and clarity around delivery responsibilities.
Accelerating Infrastructure Delivery
Infrastructure remains one of the most significant drivers of regional growth. Transport connectivity, digital networks and public services all influence the ability of regions to attract investment and support economic expansion.
However, many infrastructure projects face lengthy delivery timelines due to planning processes, procurement requirements and funding approvals.
Accelerating infrastructure delivery where possible, while maintaining appropriate oversight, could help unlock wider economic activity and support regional regeneration efforts.
Strengthening Regional Investment Confidence
Private sector investment plays a vital tole in delivering many levelling up projects. Housing developments, commercial space and regeneration schemes often rely on partnerships between public and private organisations.
For investors, confidence in long-term regional strategies is an important factor when committing capital
Clear policy frameworks, stable planning environments and coordinated infrastructure strategies can all help strengthen investment confidence across northern regions.
When investors have clarity around long-term regional development plans, they are better positioned to support large-scale projects that contribute to economic growth.
Collaboration Across the Sector
Levelling up cannot be delivered by a single organisation or sector.
Successful regional development requires collaboration between policymakers, local authorities, businesses, investors and communities. Each group brings a different perspective and a set of capabilities that contribute to the overall success of regional initiatives.
Open dialogue and partnership working can help identify challenges early and ensure that projects move forward more effectively.
A Defining Year for Delivery
The coming year will be an important moment for assessing the progress of levelling up initiatives across the North of England.
Stakeholders across the property and development sectors will be watching closely to see how policies translate into visible outcomes for communities, businesses and regional economies.
Ultimately, levelling up will be measured not only by policy announcements but by improvements that can be seen and experienced on the ground.
These questions will form part of the discussion during the Levelling Up the North: From Political Ambition to Practical Delivery panel at UKREiiF 2026.
Hosted by Mark Manning, Managing Director of the Northern Estate Agency Group, the session will bring together leading voices including Ed Whiting (Chief Executive, Leeds City Council), Kevin Hollinrake MP, Richard Irving (ID Planning) and Julia Dacre Field (Gowlings) to explore how levelling up can move from political ambition to meaningful delivery.
