Daily News: 02/06/2025
Manchester City Council has partnered with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to boost its housing company, aiming to accelerate the delivery of hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of a wider plan to build 1,600 new homes in the coming years. Manchester City Council
Connexus has delivered 215 homes across Shropshire and Herefordshire in 2024/2025 as part of its development and acquisition programme, supporting affordable housing growth in rural communities. Meanwhile, Kensington and Chelsea Council plans to allocate £100m (5% of its £1.81bn pension fund) towards buying 250 new homes to help address a growing temporary accommodation crisis in West London. Connexus Homes Ltd., MyLondon
Peabody chief Ian McDermott has called on the government to classify social housing as “critical national infrastructure”, telling The Guardian it would unlock vital investment and ensure long-term funding to tackle the deepening housing crisis. The Guardian
Over 30 UK construction suppliers, including Sureserve Compliance and FBJ Construction, have won contracts on a £2bn public sector investment framework running to 2029. Galliford Try has secured contracts to begin the first major phase of Wigan’s £135m Galleries redevelopment, which will eventually include 464 homes and multiple leisure venues. Additionally, Fife Council has awarded new contracts to resume work on over 200 council homes after progress stalled on four sites last year. Construction Wave, Construction Enquirer, and Fife Council
The UK government is investing an extra £1.5bn in forces housing through the upcoming Strategic Defence Review to improve living conditions for service families. This record funding aims to tackle long-standing accommodation issues and raise military housing standards. GOV.UK
Grosvenor returned to profit last year, boosted by rising rents, according to its latest annual results. The firm is behind the South Molton Triangle development being built by Skanska. Housing Today (register)
Delays to tall building projects under the new post-Grenfell safety regime are expected to trigger a wave of litigation as developers face mounting costs and setbacks. The Construction Index
Salboy got full planning for Manchester’s 76-storey Nobu tower with 452 flats. Honey has secured approval for 275 homes in Duckmanton, Derbyshire. East Leeds saw plans submitted for 1,000+ homes at Skelton Gate. Revised proposals for 300 homes were filed near Melksham. County Durham plans 245 homes at Wynyard Park, and Edinburgh’s FM Group revealed 154 homes for Western Harbour on a brownfield site. Construction Enquirer, Housing Today (register), Yorkshire Evening Post, Wiltshire Times, Northern Echo, and Scottish Housing News