Daily News: 19/05/2025
Dartford Borough Council is planning to acquire 139 new-build homes to expand its supply of temporary accommodation and prevent evicted families from being relocated to other boroughs due to local housing shortages. Kent Online
Manor Estates Housing Association has secured a £13m funding boost from the Royal Bank of Scotland to support its ongoing development projects. At the same time, Clydebank Housing Association boasts over 93% tenant satisfaction, reflecting its strong commitment to quality homes and community wellbeing. Scottish Housing News, Scottish Housing News
About 3,000 children and 11,000 adults in Wales live in temporary housing, with 140,000 people on the affordable housing waiting list, highlighting a serious housing emergency. Welsh Government
Regional procurement specialist EN:Procure has appointed 106 successful bidders, primarily SMEs, to its latest consultancy framework. Meanwhile, the Crown Estate has signed a £24bn joint venture with Lendlease to deliver over 26,000 homes and 10m sq. ft. of commercial space across six major UK sites. Furthermore, Clarion Housing Group is preparing to tender a £79m contract for the next phase of its Kirkstall Road scheme in Leeds, which will see the construction of 372 homes. Housing Digital, Construction Enquirer, and Construction Enquirer
A multi-million-pound safety investment has been approved for four Bristol council housing blocks in St Jude’s following inspections that identified outdated and critical building elements in need of repair. Bristol Live
Housebuilder Cala, recently sold to private equity investors, started work on more than 3,500 homes last year but has cited planning delays as a factor contributing to a fall in its profit. Housing Today (register)
Construction trade bodies have voted to retain the CITB training levy for another three years, following a consensus ballot where block votes played a key role in the outcome. Construction Enquirer
Support for local house building has dropped 11% since the general election, with backing falling particularly in areas that have seen significant increases in housing targets. Housing Today (register)
Octopus Energy launched a ‘Zero Bills’ standard to eliminate energy costs by using solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps in homes. Simultaneously, a briefing from E3G highlights that the UK government’s £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan investment promises quick economic returns and lower household energy bills. Sustainable Times, E3G
Chapman Taylor’s £200m Soapworks masterplan in Salford was approved for 500 homes and amenities. Maidenhead approved 225 homes after a tied council vote, and despite over 200 objections, up to 130 homes were approved near an Oxfordshire village. Plans for 501 homes in Warrington were submitted, with nearly 200 homes and a medical centre proposed in Calne. Bromford secured land to build 100+ affordable homes in Gloucester. TheBusinessDesk.com, BBC, Oxford Mail, Warrington Guardian, Gazette & Herald, and Bromford Housing Association Limited