Daily News: 27/07/2026

Rotherham Borough Council and the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate are seeking a strategic development partner for the Bassingthorpe Farm mixed-use project, a major scheme identified for around 2,000 homes. Partnerships Bulletin (register)

South West Norse has extended its joint venture partnership with Devon County Council for a further three years, taking the current contract term through to May 2030, continuing its FM, commercial services and property consulting services. Facilitate Magazine

Homes England is expected to appoint a developer in early 2027 for Nottingham’s landmark Broad Marsh regeneration scheme, following interest from a range of national and international developers. Place Midlands

Basildon Council spent £1m on sacking and reappointing its housing repairs contractor, Morgan Sindall, according to newly revealed details. Echo
Kier has been appointed main works contractor for two school rebuilds worth nearly £100m, including a low-carbon academy in Lancashire and a replacement for the RAAC-hit Anglo European School in Essex. Construction Enquirer

Construction has begun on the first major phase of Hengrove Park, a 1,435-home neighbourhood in South Bristol, with the initial phase delivering 209 homes, including 104 for social rent and shared ownership. Goram Homes

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Accent Group’s ‘A’ long-term issuer credit rating, with the outlook remaining stable. S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Housing 21’s ‘A-’ long-term issuer credit rating, along with its ‘A-’ rating on the £500m senior secured bond, with a stable outlook. S&P Global Ratings has downgraded Richmond Housing Partnership’s long-term issuer credit rating to ‘A-’ from ‘A’, with the outlook remaining negative. S&P Global, S&P Global, and S&P Global

Hundreds of Woking council homes are failing to meet the Decent Homes Standard, with 328 of 2,488 surveyed properties identified as non-decent and more than 400 homes still awaiting inspection. Woking News & Mail

The Liberal Democrats are calling for air conditioning in all new UK homes, arguing housing stock is unprepared for extreme heat, while the government maintains its 1.5m home target despite worsening market conditions. The Construction Products Association has downgraded its 2026 forecast for the construction industry to a 3.3% decline, with the housing downturn driving the sharpest fall in activity in years. The Guardian, Construction News (register), and Construction Enquirer

The Church Commissioners have submitted plans for 1,600 homes forming the final phase of a major community in Ely, following approval for 800 homes on an adjacent East Cambridgeshire site. A public inquiry date has been set for plans to build up to 600 homes. Plans are being developed for around 400 new homes on the edge of an Oxfordshire Cotswolds town. Bradford-on-Avon Town Council has opposed a 220-home green belt development near Trowbridge Road, which also includes a 72-bed care home and recreational facilities. Councillors have approved controversial plans for 166 homes on a crop-growing field south of Newport, despite local opposition. Housing Today (register), BBC, Oxford Mail, BBC, and BBC