Daily News: 11/03/2025
The UK government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to fast-track homebuilding and infrastructure projects, addressing planning barriers to support its 1.5m homes target. It also promotes energy security with a focus on affordable, homegrown clean energy. GOV.UK
Places for People (PfP), one of the UK’s largest social enterprises, is urging social housing providers to go “beyond homes” by addressing wider societal challenges alongside delivering much-needed quality housing. Places for People Group
Platform Housing Group has doubled its EMTN programme to £2bn, maintaining its A+ credit rating and updating its Sustainable Finance Framework. Meanwhile, more than £290m could be invested in Rotherham over the next four years to improve council properties and deliver new homes. Additionally, Scottish RSLs spent a record £945m on management and maintenance in 2023/24, with per-unit costs rising 6.46% to £2,965. Platform Housing Group, BBC, and Scottish Housing Regulator
West Northamptonshire Council has made “positive strides” in social housing improvements after being reprimanded by the housing regulator last year for reporting incorrect information about living standards and safety checks. Cambridgeshire Live
Decarbonising Scotland’s social housing is vital to the government’s 2045 net zero target. Progress has been made, but additional funding is needed to achieve long-term goals. Scottish Futures Trust
Midlands-based The Construction Consultants has been appointed to support a regeneration project in Lichfield, which will create a new leisure complex in the city. At the same time, a £300m redevelopment of a former government office in London has lifted Mace to the top of the February contracts league for work won. Consultancy UK, Construction Enquirer
Kier remains confident that continued government spending will sustain its order books, as pre-tax profits and turnover increased in late 2024. Costain, meanwhile, is on track to achieve a 5% profit margin by 2025, driven by strong demand in key infrastructure markets. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer
TNA Electrical, M&E contractor is being wound down after accumulating over £2m in losses and rising costs. Elsewhere, Galliford Try is battling a fire safety case that could set a precedent for how far parent and sister companies can be held liable for defect costs. TheBusinessDesk.com, Construction News (register)
The UK government will offer households near new or upgraded pylons up to £250 off energy bills annually for 10 years. This aims to offset infrastructure impact, benefiting communities while supporting the transition to clean, homegrown power. GOV.UK
Peabody’s final phase of the Wornington Green regeneration in Kensington & Chelsea has been approved, delivering 200+ social rent homes. In Surrey, a £45m golf course redevelopment could bring 221 homes. Controversial plans for 180 homes in Calne face opposition, while a 134-home project in Kent awaits a decision, and 104 homes near Chipping Norton are set for approval despite 119 objections. BDC Magazine, Insider Media, Gazette & Herald, Kent Online, and Oxford Mail