Daily News: 03/11/2025
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published binding commitments from seven housebuilders suspected of sharing price information, including a £100m contribution to affordable housing, formally closing the investigation into anti-competitive practices. Housing Today (register)
Portsmouth City Council has announced plans to invest £110m to improve its council housing stock, with detailed proposals set to be outlined early next month. Meanwhile, Harlow Council is moving to accelerate major housing upgrades by cutting unnecessary procedural delays, with its Cabinet set to approve the proposal to fast-track improvements across the town. Portsmouth City Council, Harlow District Council
Places for People CEO Greg Reed has called on the social housing sector to pursue larger-scale stock swaps, arguing that higher housing management density would improve efficiency and tenant services. Housing Today (register)
Scotland’s social housing regulator has reported that available debt facilities in the sector have reached their highest ever level, with new lenders entering the market signalling growing confidence in social housing providers. Housing Today (register)
The Ministry of Defence has unveiled a £9bn Defence Housing Strategy to upgrade or replace 40,000 military homes and release land for up to 100,000 new homes, supporting economic growth, though it will not directly deliver the developments. GOV.UK
New analysis from London Councils warns that the capital’s boroughs face an “impossible” £4bn funding gap over the coming years, with a £1bn shortfall already projected for this year, putting essential local services and housing investment under mounting pressure. London Councils
Equans has been appointed by Sheffield City Council to modernise nearly 100 council homes, improving structure, energy performance, and living standards, while the Department for Education has awarded £130m in school building contracts to tier-one contractors. Equans, The Construction Index
Stepnell forecasts a 20% turnover increase in its first year operating independently following a demerger. In facilities management, Orian Solutions Group has acquired It’s Clean Ltd, expanding its operations across the North of England. Additionally, The Yorkshire Maintenance Co (Hull) Ltd has acquired a local joinery firm, preserving traditional skills and safeguarding local employment. Construction News (register), FMJ, and Construction Enquirer
A new report proposes Purpose Built Young Professional Accommodation (PBYPA)-compact, affordable studios for under-35s in central urban hubs like London, Manchester, and Leeds. Exempt from some regulations, PBYPA aims to address urban densification and gaps left by current government housing plans. Onwards
Councillors have approved 154 new homes on the edge of a Leicestershire village. Hallam Land has proposed 360 homes in Walton-on-the-Hill, while Habiko launched a £120m consultation for 350 flats in Chester. Plans for 265 homes near a Hereford nature reserve are likely to be refused, and proposals for 170 homes in Rotherham and 152 in Ashington are under consideration. Meanwhile, Vivid and Chartway plan 149 homes in Chertsey, and 130 affordable homes are proposed near Dawsons Corner, West Yorkshire. BBC, StokeonTrentLive, Place North West, Gloucestershire Live, Rotherham Business News, The Argus, Housing Digital, and Telegraph and Argus