Daily News: 04/08/2025
Karbon Homes boosted development by 10% in 2024/25, completing 707 homes but missing its annual target. It is also seeking to register the for-profit arm Graphite Living to attract more funding. Housing Today (register)
Over 1,200 of Southampton City Council’s 18,000 homes are overcrowded, according to data obtained by BBC South via FOI, with 1,213 meeting official overcrowding criteria. BBC
The Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) has released its second annual summary detailing notifiable events reported by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) during 2024/25, highlighting key trends and areas of concern across the sector. Scottish Housing News
Millions of families in England live in poor, damp, and poorly insulated homes, often in some of Europe’s oldest housing stock, according to a report. Meanwhile, a Common Wealth report in The Guardian criticises the Right to Buy scheme for worsening the housing crisis and costing taxpayers £200bn, calling it one of the UK’s ‘largest giveaways.’ Shelter, The Guardian
A south London council, Southwark, has overspent by £6m on redeveloping three housing estates due to poor contract management, causing chaotic refurbishments and “unacceptable” outcomes for residents at Devon Mansions, Kirby Estate, and Canada Estate. BBC
Equans has secured a three-year contract extension and early renewal with Southern Water, continuing their integrated facilities management (IFM) partnership through to 2029, while the LK Group has been appointed to carry out site investigation works for a major Blackburn housing scheme, paving the way for the development of 1,500 homes. FMJ, Lancashire Telegraph
Midlands-based civil engineering specialist M. Lambe Construction slipped into the red last year as slowing private housing demand and tighter tender margins hit its bottom line. Meanwhile, private equity-owned M Group has completed its acquisition of Telent following regulatory approval, finalising the deal announced in April. Construction Enquirer, The Construction Index
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland won planning for 214 homes in Bilston. In Doncaster, Reform UK councillor Ioan-Emanuel Craciun criticised council approval of 186 homes, citing neglect. Rochdale approved 158 affordable homes at Trub Farm, and Studio Egret West has applied to build 676 build-to-rent homes in Croydon, including three towers up to 42 storeys, with 20% affordable. Plans are underway for a 35-storey co-living tower with 500 homes and an adjacent office block at Finsgate House, Shoreditch. East Devon plans 500 new social homes. Norwich is finalising designs for 443 homes on the Marsh site, and Birmingham’s Pickstock Group aims to regenerate Bill House with 115 homes plus an 80-bed care home. Scottish Housing News, Doncaster Free Press, Place North West, Housing Today (register), Housing Today (register), Radio Exe, Norwich Evening News, and Construction Enquirer