Daily News: 10/03/2025
The UK government has announced further reforms to streamline the planning system, aiming to prioritise growth and accelerate housing delivery as part of its Plan for Change milestone of delivering 1.5m new homes. GOV.UK
More than a dozen London councils have spent £140m since 2017 to buy over 850 properties across England, relocating homeless individuals to reduce temporary housing costs. This has raised concerns about the impact on both those displaced and receiving communities. The Guardian
UK housing associations face allegations of mis-selling “affordable” homes, with some service charges rising over 400%, raising transparency concerns. In contrast, East Dunbartonshire Council has approved its 2025/26 housing budget, prioritising energy efficiency and affordable homes. Similarly, Herefordshire Council is launching a housing company to tackle a “growing crisis,” while Calderdale is working to bring 2,500 empty homes back into use amid an 8,500-strong housing waiting list. The Guardian, East Dunbartonshire Council, BBC, and Halifax Courier
More than half of women working in the housing sector believe they must work harder than men to succeed, according to research by Women in Social Housing (WISH), highlighting the persistent gender bias within the industry. Housing Digital
Thirteen Group will retrofit and modernise over 100 homes in Stockton-on-Tees as part of its housing improvement programme. Meanwhile, Clanmil Housing has been appointed to lead a mixed-use residential project in Belfast’s inner northwest, transforming car parks and vacant land into new homes. Additionally, United Living New Homes will deliver an £21m, 88-home affordable housing scheme for Plus Dane Housing in Prescot. Housing Executive, Belfast City Council, and Place North West
Housebuilder Persimmon is expected to report a rebound in profits next week following two years of steep declines, as the housing market slowly recovered in 2024. City A.M
Pundits at construction consultancy firm Arcadis believe the UK market has turned a corner and is improving, despite declining orders, a falling PMI, and low confidence. The Construction Index
English and Welsh councils will gain greater powers to seize land for affordable housing, as compulsory purchase orders will no longer require Whitehall approval under a major shake-up of planning rules. The Guardian
McLaren Living will redevelop Watford Police Station and Magistrates Court into a 314-home build-to-rent scheme. Despite objections, the 250-home Charfield Meadows project in South Gloucestershire has been approved, along with 220 homes near Barnstaple. Taylor Wimpey will build 134 homes in Kilmarnock, while Birmingham City Council plans a £1bn regeneration of Druids Heath with 3,500 homes. Elsewhere, Trafford is set to approve 145 homes on a former warehouse and bakery site. Construction Enquirer, Business Live, BBC, Scottish Housing News, Construction Enquirer, and Manchester Evening News