Daily News: 27/06/2025
Choice Group and Connswater Homes have completed a landmark merger for an undisclosed sum, bringing over 13,300 homes under the Choice Group’s management. News Letter
Rotherham Council is on track to deliver 1,000 new homes by summer 2027. In Scotland, Fife Council is tackling its housing emergency by bringing empty homes back into use. Meanwhile, the Highland Housing Challenge partnership has made strides, identifying 250 sites to support its 12,000-home target over the next decade. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Fife Council, and The Highland Council
Yorkshire Housing CEO Nick Atkin has urged the government to drop its 1.5m homes target, warning it could “artificially skew” the Affordable Homes Programme and fuel construction inflation. Housing Today (register)
A major £6m investment will improve homes in Middlesbrough town centre, with Thirteen Group appointing North East regeneration specialist RE:GEN to carry out the work at Central Mews under its Capital Delivery Framework. Thirteen Group
Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG) has acquired HD Sharman Group, a commercial roof refurbishment specialist. In a related development, the CMA is investigating Kingspan’s proposed merger with Coverworld due to concerns over its impact on competition in the construction sector. Elsewhere, Cityside Electrical’s pre-tax profit surged 163%, with its order book hitting £800m following a strong recovery from past losses tied to ISG’s collapse. Construction Enquirer, Construction Wave, and Construction News (register)
The government is cracking down on late payment by warning that major contractors may be barred from bidding for public sector contracts worth over £5m annually if they cannot demonstrate they pay their supply chain within an average of 60 days. Construction Enquirer
The latest BMBI report shows that total value sales through builders’ merchants in April 2025 rose by 3.0% compared to April 2024. Similarly, the PHMI reported a 0.7% year-on-year increase in total value sales through specialist plumbing and heating merchants for the same month. Builders Merchant Building Index, Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index
Barnsley Council has approved a major 1,560-home scheme, despite local opposition. In East Devon, a 130-home approval faces scrutiny over planning concerns. A 3,000-home Nine Elms scheme in London includes a proposed 70-storey tower. Over 800 homes are planned on a former Devon police site, while Story Homes eyes 300 homes on Green Belt in Hazel Grove. Breck plans 300 homes in Wigan on a former brickworks site. In Matson, a 180-home plan near an ancient moat remains stalled two years post-approval. The Star, East Devon News, Housing Today (register), BBC, Place North West, Construction Enquirer, and Punchline Gloucester