Daily News: 17/02/2025
Councils in England could face an £8bn funding gap by 2028/29, hampering their ability to drive local growth, according to the Local Government Association’s new analysis. Local Government Association
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has faced criticism from shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake, who described the progress on his affordable homes programme as “catastrophic.” BBC
Two Rivers Housing has announced its intention to close down its facilities management company, Centigen Facilities Management Limited (CFM), and bring its services, including repairs, grounds maintenance, and cleaning, back in-house. Housing Digital
Vistry Group has formed a second joint venture with Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, to deliver a further 1,200 homes, including a significant portion of affordable stock, at the Sherford development near Plymouth. Additionally, Jack Lunn Limited has been awarded a £5.5m contract for a housing development project in Leeds. Housing Executive, The Construction Index
Scottish house builder Springfield has struck a deal to sell nearly 2,500 plots in central Scotland to Barratt Redrow for £64m, aiming to build homes for workers in the green energy sector. Meanwhile, regional contractor Acheson Construction has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer
Most of the UK’s big build-to-rent developers are owned by foreign private equity firms, according to a report from the CommonWealth thinktank, which suggests that Labour should control profits made by these ‘institutional investors.’ The Guardian
The report, Slow Lane to Adoption, highlights a significant rise in planning approvals and housing supply, with 235,000 net housing additions in 2022/23. Meanwhile, the Strategic Planning for Green Prosperity advocates for planning reform to address the UK’s economic and housing challenges, aiming to balance housing development with environmental and economic priorities. Home Builders Federation, IPPR
Plans for 1,500 homes on a golf course have received outline approval. Taylor Wimpey West Scotland secured permission for 200+ homes in Cambuslang and is preparing 582 homes in Halsnead’s 1,600-home garden village. Meanwhile, 250 homes in a Surrey village face local opposition, and a developer plans to seek approval for 133 homes in Audlem, Cheshire. BBC, Scottish Housing News,Place North West, BBC, and The Standard