Daily News: 12/05/2025
Richmond Council has launched the Affordable Homes Richmond initiative to boost affordable housing delivery across the borough, with over 250 homes expected to start on site within the next two years. Meanwhile, a £20m plan by Brighton’s Labour-led council to sell public buildings to fund housing is under scrutiny after councillors raised concerns. UK Property Forums, Housing Today (register)
Wrexham Council has reported a 35% reduction in its housing repairs backlog, according to an internal update shared with elected members on the status of repairs across the county borough. Wrexham.comA new development agreement has been signed to deliver nearly 300 affordable homes in Birmingham, aiming to support families struggling to find safe and decent housing and help ease the region’s housing crisis. West Midlands Combined Authority
Procure Plus is preparing a £1.8bn framework to support green retrofitting with low and zero carbon technologies. Allies and Morrison and Grant Associates will lead the design team for the £2.5bn York Central regeneration, delivering 2,500 homes on a 45-hectare site. The University of Bath is seeking a delivery partner for a £100m project to add nearly 1,000 student bedrooms, while PTSG’s Trinity Fire & Security division has won a two-year contract to install fire safety systems for a government agency across southern England. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, Construction News (register), and PTSG
McAleer & Rushe is set to break the £500m turnover barrier this year, following strong 2024 results driven by several major project wins. Construction Enquirer
Firefighters and campaigners are urging a halt to the Blenheim Square development in Penge over fire safety concerns, calling for action from the Greater London Authority and Bromley Council. Meanwhile, the Federation of Master Builders is pressing for urgent action on the UK’s construction skills crisis. MHCLG is working with the Building Safety Regulator to explore ways to reduce delays in the Gateway 2 building safety process. The Construction Index, Federation of Master Builders, and Housing Today (register)
The report “A Just Transition in London’s Retrofits – May 2025” highlights the challenge of retrofitting 2m homes in London by 2030 to improve energy efficiency, offering benefits such as lower energy bills, enhanced sustainability, and better comfort and health for residents. The Young Foundation
The report “Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment – 2025” reveals that 26% of 2,081 surveyed construction workers had suicidal thoughts, and only 56% of businesses had mental health policies, highlighting the urgent need for better mental health support in the industry. CIOB
A controversial 1,800-home scheme at Clowne Garden Village is seeking approval with revised financial contributions for local infrastructure. In parallel, a 950-home development near Bristol includes new public green space, a resubmitted 450-home plan near Barnstaple follows a prior refusal, and PMG Regenerations has proposed 400 homes on a former landfill in Greenhithe despite opposition. Chippenham’s 230-home scheme, featuring a pub and takeaway, remains embroiled in planning disputes. Derbyshire Times, Bristol Live, Radio Exe, Kent Online, and Gazette & Herald