Daily News: 28/02/2025
Platform Housing Group has increased spending on its existing housing stock by 141%, according to its latest trading update. The investment highlights a strong commitment to improving and maintaining current homes alongside new developments. Housing Today (register)
Renfrewshire Council has approved a £292m investment over five years to improve council housing, build new homes, and support regeneration. Lloyds and NatWest have provided Yorkshire Housing with £75 in funding to support future growth and investment plans. Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group is set to invest £50m in loans across six areas, including Newport, to help address homelessness. Scottish Housing News, Yorkshire Housing Limited, and South Wales Argus
North Lanarkshire Council’s Open Market Purchase Scheme has acquired 83 properties in 2024/25, bringing 408 long-term empty homes back into use since 2013. Additionally, Glasgow City Council has approved the compulsory purchase of two houses and two flats for transfer to housing associations for social housing. North Lanarkshire Council, Glasgow City Council
Oxford ranks fifth among UK councils for the longest social housing waiting times, with an average wait of 5.2 years, according to Crisis Skylight Oxford. Cherwell
The UK government has appointed 43 consultants to support Net Zero programmes under a £250m framework running for two years. In Scotland, a £120m framework has been launched to accelerate public sector decarbonisation. Furthermore, Liberty has secured a place on Magenta Living’s four-year Responsive Repairs and Void Property Works Framework, worth up to £11.5m. Construction Enquirer, Scottish Procurement Alliance, and FMJ
Grenfell-linked companies have secured £355m in public contracts since the 2017 fire, despite ongoing investigations into their roles in the tragedy. Elsewhere, Tide Construction has secured £237m in funding for a high-rise student accommodation scheme in Canary Wharf. In Manchester, Far East Consortium has split from CR Construction on the 634-home Victoria Riverside project over delivery concerns, reclaiming control within the £4bn Victoria North masterplan. The Construction Index, Construction Enquirer, and Place North West
The UK government has unveiled a new vision to increase the use of domestic timber in construction, aiming to boost economic growth and support housebuilding as part of its Plan for Change. GOV.UK
The latest Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index report for Q4 2024 reveals that total value sales over the past 12 months were down by 1.2% compared to the previous year. Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index
A 202-home development at the former Ironbridge Power Station has been approved, advancing the site’s regeneration. Havering Council has also approved 138 affordable homes in Harold Hill. In Harworth, plans for 140 homes have been submitted within a larger 1,300-home scheme. Shropshire Star, Havering London Borough, and Worksop Guardian.