Daily News: 30/05/2025
Platform Housing’s development spend dropped due to contractor insolvencies delaying three schemes. The 50,000-home provider improved operating surpluses and margins, but completions fell to 1,028 homes in the year to 31 March 2025, down from 1,202 the previous year. Housing Today (register)
A new voluntary shared ownership code has launched, aiming to improve the customer experience of the product. Social landlords can now sign up to the code, which promotes better transparency and support for shared owners. Housing Today (register)
Swindon Housing Development Company, created by Swindon Borough Council in 2017 to deliver socially beneficial housing and support council finances, is under review after reporting a £1.7m loss. Its future viability will be decided this summer. BBC
Hobson & Porter has won a £15m contract from East Riding of Yorkshire Council to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to council homes, supporting green retrofit goals. Meanwhile, OCS has secured a place on the ESPO Framework 676_25 for Total Facilities Management, providing public sector bodies with a full FM service offering. The Construction Index, FMJ
Keepmoat is planning a £102m investment in partnership with Platform Housing Group to develop housing at the former Boots pharmaceutical site in Nottingham, aiming to deliver hundreds of new homes. The Construction Index
Morrisroe reported a 15% drop in turnover to £187m last year, impacted by tighter project selection and delays in high-rise schemes, but the specialist contractor still managed to return to profit. Construction Enquirer
The BMBI Q1 2025 report shows value sales up 0.9% year-on-year, with volume sales rising 3.9% and prices falling 2.9%, with no change in trading days. Similarly, the PHMI for Q1 2025 reports a 4.0% increase in value sales, a 5.7% rise in volumes, and a 1.6% drop in prices, also with no change in trading days. Builders Merchant Building Index, Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index
In April 2025, UK construction activity saw a 52% rise in detailed planning approvals year-on-year, while main contract awards fell by 10% and project starts dropped 17% compared to the same period last year. Construction News (register)
New research from RTPI and Regen highlights the urgent need for local net zero planning to meet UK climate targets. Their guidance helps planners navigate policy changes and calls for national reforms to empower local authorities. Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
Downing got planning permission for 668 student and residential units in North Acton, west London. Vistry Group secured approval for 526 homes on a 47-acre site at Boulton Moor, Derby, including a previously rejected 130-home scheme now approved on appeal. In Oldham, 120 apartments are expected to be approved to replace the former Riley’s snooker hall. Hackney Council plans a £150m regeneration of De Beauvoir Estate with up to 341 homes and commercial space. Controversial plans for 340 homes on green belt near Kidlington, Oxford, have been submitted. In Doncaster, a 150-home scheme faces review due to concerns over local GP capacity. The Construction Index, East Midlands Business Link, BBC, Place North West, Construction Enquirer, Oxford Mail, and Doncaster Free Press