Daily News: 08/09/2025
Homes England and Vistry Group have launched a long-term joint venture, Hestia, supported by £150m in capital investment, aimed at delivering high-quality, mixed-tenure communities efficiently and at scale. GOV.UK
Grainger has completed its transformation into a REIT, aiming to grow its build-to-rent portfolio while saving an estimated £15m in tax and attracting investment. Bristol City Council, in partnership with SimplyPhi, will provide 110 additional affordable homes as temporary accommodation to reduce reliance on emergency housing. Caerphilly Council has returned over 400 long-term empty homes to use through its Empty Property Team. Housing Today (register), Housing Executive, and Caerphilly County Borough Council
Harlow Council has cut standard housing repair waits from 270 to 25 working days. North Northamptonshire Council is consulting on changes to its allocation scheme that could remove over 3,000 people from the housing register to prioritise higher-need households. Meanwhile, 63% of residents in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are unaware of proposed local government merger plans. Your Harlow, BBC, and BBC
Plentific has launched its Four Forces Framework to help housing associations manage rising costs, labour shortages, compliance pressures, and outdated systems, with guidance on investment and regulatory change. Housing Executive
ForHousing has appointed RPS Group to deliver a £1.2m solar PV retrofit programme, installing panels on 252 homes. Housing Digital
Engineering services firm HE Simm & Son has filed a notice to appoint an administrator, while Jackson Civil Engineering’s strong performance has helped its parent company achieve a record turnover exceeding £200m. Construction Enquirer, The Construction Index
UK timber and panel product imports fell by nearly 3% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The Construction Index
The Housing Pipeline Report for Q2 2025 revealed a continuing decline in approvals, with 48,022 residential units granted permission, a 6% drop from the previous quarter and 23% lower than Q2 2024, marking the lowest quarterly total since 2012. Home Builders Federation
Tower Hamlets has approved the Orchard Wharf masterplan with seven towers and 208 affordable homes. In Herne Bay, 104 homes have been approved as part of the £230m Strode Farm scheme. Regeneration plans for Bradford’s City Village have been submitted, with the scheme set to deliver nearly 1,000 new homes, while 200 homes on a Macclesfield green belt are recommended for approval despite 450 objections. Meanwhile, up to 135 homes are proposed on a former hospital site in Derby. The Construction Index, Kent Online, BBC, The Standard, and BBC