Daily News: 22/09/2025
Riverside has appointed WPS, part of The Wates Group, to deliver a £72m retrofit programme that will improve energy efficiency in more than 3,000 homes. WPS has also expanded its housing maintenance partnership with Ealing Council to include a new investment programme to improve thousands more homes. Meanwhile, Pinnacle Group has been appointed as housing management partner for BluePine Living, a new affordable housing platform backed by institutional capital to deliver high-quality homes across England. Riverside, Housing Executive, and Pinnacle Group
Camden Council has changed how it apologises to social housing tenants after a watchdog found its previous approach risked shifting blame onto residents. BBC
Emirati master developer Arada has acquired a 75% stake in London-based residential developer Regal in a £500m deal, with the business to be rebranded as Arada London. Meanwhile, Bolton-based Seddon Construction has swung back into profit, reporting a £2.3m pre-tax gain for 2024 after scraping £0.2m the previous year, while piling specialist Van Elle has issued a profit warning, saying earnings will fall “materially below” expectations due to contract delays and tighter spending. Housing Today (register), Construction Enquirer, and Construction Enquirer
Sixty Carillion companies will pay nothing to unsecured creditors, more than seven years after the firm’s collapse, a new report has revealed. Construction News (register)
New data shows construction firms accounted for 15.2% of all insolvencies in England and Wales in July 2025, with 332 businesses collapsing, according to BCIS and the Insolvency Service, highlighting the sector’s ongoing financial pressures. BCIS
Ministers have told the Environment Agency to do the bare minimum in scrutinising planning applications to avoid blocking housebuilding approvals in England. Vacant land across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be identified and assessed for affordable housing after councillors backed the plan. The Guardian, BBC
More than 340 homes have been approved in Wokingham, while Acton Gardens in West London secured Gateway 2 approval to deliver 236 homes. In Bristol, consultation has begun on a £165m, 500-home Ashton Gate scheme, alongside initial plans for 390 homes near the M1. Elsewhere, Eastbourne deferred a 250-home project, and residents in Devon raised parking concerns over nearly 200 proposed homes in Cranbrook. Bracknell News, L&Q Group, BBC, BBC, The Argus, and Radio Exe