Daily News: 29/09/2026
Your daily round-up of key housing news, funding, partnerships and policy updates across the UK.

Harrow Council is progressing a £30.732m programme to acquire up to 70 properties for temporary and permanent accommodation, with funding covering purchases, acquisition costs and initial repairs and refurbishment. Harrow Online

Swindon Borough Council has awarded Penshurst Construction a £7m contract to replace obsolete kitchens in around 200 properties annually. The initial 36-month contract began this month, with a possible two-year extension. TheBusinessDesk.com

Cottsway has renewed its materials supply contract with TPMS through 2033, with supplies continuing from a dedicated Witney branch serving its 7,000-plus homes. Cottsway also plans to expand its use of TPgo digital ordering. The Construction Index

Kier has been selected as preferred contractor for Railpen’s £50m refurbishment of The Fenner office development in Holborn, entering a PCSA ahead of a planned site start in Q4 2026. McLaren Construction has been confirmed as contractor for a £55m student accommodation development in Elephant & Castle, south London. Construction News (register), Construction Enquirer

Honey has started work on a £40m, 133-home development in Rainworth near Mansfield. Cruden Homes has begun site preparation for 90 homes in Neilston, including 24 affordable homes. Abri has exchanged contracts with Wyatt Homes for 37 affordable homes in Upton, Poole, while construction is underway on an affordable housing scheme on a derelict site in Lochgelly alongside new retail space. Show House, Glasgow Times, Housing Digital, and Scottish Housing News

Bolton Council is set to spend £14.5m acquiring up to 100 homes to address acute housing pressures. Arun District Council has been criticised by the housing watchdog for failing to properly handle adaptation requests for residents with health and accessibility needs. East Devon has been told to deliver 1,127 homes over five years after narrowly missing its housing target, while Moray Council’s housing stock valuation was revised £215m lower following an external audit calculation error. Manchester Evening News, The Argus, Exeter Today, and STV News

L&Q has taken its online services offline following a cyber attack involving correspondence from 12,000 residents, while the housing association works to restore services and has informed the Information Commissioner’s Office. Housing Today (register)

New amendments to the Social Housing Bill will strengthen protections for homeless households and introduce measures aimed at preventing homelessness and protecting social housing stock. GOV.UK

The Builders Merchant Building Index reported July 2026 like-for-like value sales 0.6% below July 2025, while volumes fell 7.6%. The Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index recorded a 0.9% increase in value sales, but volumes declined 8.9%, alongside a 10.7% year-on-year rise in prices. Builders Merchant Building Index, Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index

Campaigners have raised concerns over plans for 1,600+ homes in a village, describing the proposed development as a “huge shock”. Plans have also been submitted to redevelop Octagon House with 682 units for students and key workers. Up to 350 homes are proposed in Littleover’s protected green wedge, while opposition is growing to 150+ affordable homes planned on the outskirts of Thorpe End. BBC, Place North West, BBC, and Eastern Daily Press

All information is curated from public sources and market intelligence.
Published daily on weekdays.