{"id":10515,"date":"2026-03-24T12:34:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/?p=10515"},"modified":"2026-03-24T12:34:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:34:40","slug":"tuesday-24-03-2026-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/daily-news\/tuesday-24-03-2026-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday: 24\/03\/2026 \/ News"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"blue-color\">\n<h6>Daily News: 24\/03\/2026<\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Crown Estate has launched the search for a contractor to deliver its \u00a324.7m Westwick Row housing scheme in Hemel Hempstead, which will act as a testbed for a wider 4,000-home expansion in the area.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/2026\/03\/23\/crown-estate-lines-up-25m-hemel-housing-testbed-job\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction Enquirer<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swindon Borough Council is delivering major energy-efficiency upgrades to hundreds of council homes as part of a \u00a348m investment programme, aimed at improving property performance and helping tenants reduce energy bills.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk\/news\/25958622.swindon-council-homes-get-major-energy-efficiency-upgrades\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swindon Advertiser<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homes England has acquired the Carrow Works site in Norwich, a key part of the East Norwich Strategic Regeneration Area, which is planned to deliver up to 3,500 homes alongside employment space and new public areas.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/homes-england-secures-key-site-in-the-heart-of-east-norwich\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> GOV.UK<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thrive Homes and Watford Community Housing have confirmed plans to merge from 1 June 2026, creating a new Community Gateway housing association aimed at strengthening services and placing residents at the heart of decision-making.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcht.org.uk\/about-us\/our-news\/hertfordshire-based-housing-associations-confirm-decision-to-merge,-creating-a-stronger,-resident-fo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watford Community Housing Trust<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evolution Construction has secured a contract with Blackpool Coastal Housing to deliver electrical works across 4,800 homes from April 2026, creating seven jobs, while Woking Borough Council has appointed Amber Construction Services and Mulalley to carry out cladding replacement on 170 homes following fire safety concerns.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk\/news\/new-jobs-created-as-blackpool-firm-lands-contract-for-electric-work-on-4800-homes-6158938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blackpool Gazette<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c9wqry2ylj1o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BBC<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manchester City Council has brought 500 empty homes back into use in under two years through a targeted programme, while Bristol City Council is overhauling tenancy processes following an Ombudsman finding. Redditch Borough Council reported improved tenant satisfaction after a strong survey response; Herefordshire Council launched a five-year homelessness prevention strategy; and Stoke-on-Trent City Council is exploring affordable repair loans to help tackle empty homes and support essential works.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manchester.gov.uk\/news-stories\/2026\/500-empty-manchester-homes-brought-back-into-use-in-under-two-years\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manchester City Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk\/2026\/03\/19\/bristol-city-council-overhaul-tenancy-process\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housing Ombudsman Service<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/redditchstandard.co.uk\/news\/redditch-council-welcomes-record-response-to-tenant-survey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redditch Standard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cp84nre3w6zo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BBC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cp3l5xl4q34o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BBC<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vistry Group has agreed a deal with CBRE Investment Management to forward sell 60 affordable homes at its Willow Park scheme in Buckingham, while Avant Homes has started construction on a \u00a345m residential development in Yaddlethorpe, North Lincolnshire, boosting local housing supply.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vistry.co.uk\/media\/press-releases\/2026\/vistry-and-cbre-investment-management-agree-deal-for-60-affordable-homes-at-152-home-willow-park-scheme-in-buckingham\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vistry Group Plc<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebusinessdesk.com\/eastmidlands\/news\/2108690-45m-housing-development-underway-in-north-lincolnshire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> TheBusinessDesk.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bellway expects to deliver more homes than previously forecast this year but has warned that market conditions remain uncertain, with geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict driving volatility in interest rates, costs, and buyer confidence.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.housingtoday.co.uk\/news\/bellway-set-to-build-more-homes-than-expected-this-year-but-warns-of-volatility-in-market-due-to-iran-war\/5141441.article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housing Today (register)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK government has delayed new low-carbon housing rules in England, with updated standards now expected in 2028, requiring new homes to produce 75% fewer emissions than 2013 levels.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/mar\/24\/ministers-delay-new-rules-for-low-carbon-housing-in-england\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Guardian<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outline approval has been granted for Ebbsfleet Central, a mixed-use scheme delivering around 2,100 homes with at least 35% affordable housing, while Clarion Housing Group has secured approval for 202 affordable homes near Crystal Palace Park. Miller Homes will deliver a further 68 homes at Omega Warrington to complete the scheme, and Somerset Council has approved a 100% affordable 100-home development, highlighting a shift towards lower-risk, affordable-led projects.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theconstructionindex.co.uk\/news\/view\/outline-planning-approval-granted-for-ebbsfleet-central\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Construction Index<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.showhouse.co.uk\/plans-approved-for-202-affordable-homes-at-crystal-palace-park\/affordable-housing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Show House<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.placenorthwest.co.uk\/last-resi-plans-approved-for-1bn-omega-warrington\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place North West<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/crk1m0zdx36o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BBC<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daily News: 24\/03\/2026 The Crown Estate has launched the search for a contractor to deliver its \u00a324.7m Westwick Row housing scheme in Hemel Hempstead, which will act as a testbed for a wider 4,000-home expansion in the area. Construction Enquirer Swindon Borough Council is delivering major energy-efficiency upgrades to hundreds of council homes as part [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10515"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10523,"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10515\/revisions\/10523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.locarla.com\/insight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}