Daily News: 23/05/2025
Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with SimplyPhi, has completed the acquisition of over 100 homes in Hastings to be used as temporary accommodation, aiming to ease local housing pressures. Housing Executive
In 2024/25, Portsmouth City Council received nearly 2,000 complaints about damp and mould in its homes and spent £1.5m addressing the issue, prompting a pledged crackdown. Portsmouth News
England had 25.6m dwellings, a 0.87% increase (221,070 homes) from the previous year. Additionally, around 4.8m were leasehold properties, 19% of the total housing stock, with 54% owner-occupied, 41% privately rented, and 6% socially rented. GOV.UK, GOV.UK
The Stop Social Housing Stigma campaign, supported by 163 organisations including major landlords and the CHI, has launched a ‘tackling stigma journey planner’ to help social landlords and others combat the stigma of living in social housing. Housing Today (register)
Graham has started a new repairs and maintenance contract with Sandwell Property Care. Persimmon Homes Wessex and Selwood Housing have signed contracts for six homes in Chippenham, part of a 95-home zero-carbon-ready scheme. Muir Timber Systems will help deliver 22 affordable homes at Whitehill Court, Kirkintilloch. GRAHAM, Persimmon Homes, and Scottish Housing News
The Urban Splash Residential Fund has secured a £50m debt facility from Barclays to support its acquisition of design-led rental homes in UK cities, aiming to boost supply in the residential rental sector. Construction Wave
London-based groundworks and concrete frame specialist Corbyn Construction has entered administration. Meanwhile, Henry Boot reports a strong performance in its residential portfolio and growth in its construction division order book in its 2025 trading update. Construction Enquirer, Construction Wave
As of April 2025, 5,052 residential buildings 11 metres or taller have unsafe cladding, 21 more than in March, with remediation ongoing. Retrofitting homes with low-carbon heating and better efficiency is crucial for net zero, as 80% of 2050’s buildings already exist, and inefficient housing causes about 13% of UK emissions. GOV.UK, Parliament.UK
The Building Safety Regulator, led by Chief Philip White, is considering a firmer approach to poor Gateway 2 submissions, citing that previous attempts to engage developers instead of rejecting applications have caused delays. Housing Today (register)
Planning applications for residential developments have risen 44% year-on-year, reaching their highest level in three years. Housing Today (register)
A 450-home green belt development in Solihull was approved despite concerns for a historic village. Bouygues got permission for 295 homes in South London’s estate rebuild. Glasgow greenlit a £95m Collegelands Park with homes, a park, and an arts centre. Near Cheltenham, 4,115-home plans face local opposition. Lichfield plans 1,200 homes and two schools, Crewe proposes 660 homes with a care home and shops. Birmingham Live, Construction Enquirer, Scottish Housing News, Business Live, Lichfield Live, and Cheshire Live