Daily News: 31/03/2025
A report by Savills for the National Housing Federation estimates that if £3.8bn were allocated to fire remediation works, housing associations could free up financial capacity to build an additional 91,000 homes over the next decade. National Housing Federation
Senior Tory politicians and major landlords have reportedly held discussions on strategies to block the Renters’ Rights Bill, leading to accusations of collusion. The Guardian
Preston City Council is proposing a merger with Lancaster and Ribble Valley as part of a wider local government restructuring. Meanwhile, Powys County Council has approved an ambitious £225m five-year programme to build new council homes and improve existing ones. Lancashire Post, Powys County Council
Mid Devon District Council is reviewing 70 eviction cases after discovering it had set rents incorrectly for years, leading to residents being overcharged. The council is now calculating refunds for affected tenants. Housing Today (register)
Mears Group has been reappointed as Dover District Council’s repairs and maintenance contractor under a new five-year contract starting 1 April 2025. The company will continue providing responsive repairs and maintenance for 4,863 council properties. FMJ
Midlands property investment group SevenCapital has announced a £1bn expansion into the London residential market, unveiling details of three major schemes. Construction Enquirer
Weston Group has launched Weston Partnerships, a new division focused on forming development partnerships and joint ventures for Build-to-Rent (BTR) housing projects. At the same time, Midlands mechanical and electrical specialist J S Wright has collapsed, leaving £19m in unpaid debts to creditors. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer
According to government data, an estimated 199,100 net additional homes were delivered in England between April 2024 and March 2025. Since the start of the new Parliament in July 2024, 142,800 homes have been added, highlighting ongoing efforts to boost housing supply. GOV.UK
Guidance on applying for building control approval from the Building Safety Regulator for constructing or carrying out work on higher-risk buildings has been published. GOV.UK
Vistry and The Hyde Group have received planning consent from Medway Council for 353 homes at Rochester Riverside. Fife Council has approved Persimmon’s plans for 191 homes in Crossgates despite over 100 objections. The first 150 homes of a 1,050-home development in Mosley Common, Tyldesley, have been approved, despite local opposition. Plans for 1,500 homes, a school, and a link road south of Leominster have been revealed. A proposal for 266 homes on green fields in Cam has been submitted. The final phase of a housing scheme in Middlemore, Daventry, for 114 homes, is set for debate on Wednesday. Construction Enquirer, Dunfermline Press, Business Live, Your Herefordshire, Gazette, and BBC