Daily News: 08/05/2025
Venn has issued a £200m loan to VIVID Housing through the UK government’s Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme, supporting the delivery of more affordable housing. IPE Real Assets
Clarion Housing Group has become the first UK housing association to publish a Climate Transition Plan, detailing its strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Clarion Housing Group
Charging higher rents for energy-efficient homes could help councils and housing associations fund more development, according to the Housing Forum’s policy director. Meanwhile, MSPs have voted to extend planned rent control legislation in Scotland to cover student tenancies. Housing Today (register), Scottish Housing News
Eight contractors have secured positions on the main all-building lot of Prosper’s £250m investment works framework, which will support a range of projects across the North East, Cumbria, and North Yorkshire. Construction Enquirer
McLaren Construction topped the April contracts league thanks to a flurry of wins that secured its position at the head of the table. Balfour Beatty, meanwhile, raised its cash forecast following a strong first quarter in 2025, reflecting robust performance. In another major move, Goldman Sachs-owned Adler & Allan completed its largest acquisition to date by purchasing Glanville Environmental, a 180-strong civils contractor based in the South West. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, and Construction Enquirer
Dundee City Council is poised to approve pilot remedial works on five homes affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), marking a step toward addressing structural concerns. In London, a new coalition involving City Hall, the UK government, local councils, and regulators aims to tackle the capital’s cladding crisis, with support from the mayor. In addition, in Scotland, the Scottish Procurement Alliance has launched two Dynamic Purchasing Systems to simplify public sector contract access for SMEs. Scottish Housing News, London Gov.UK, and Scottish Housing News
Deliveries of bricks rose by 8.8% in March 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, indicating a rebound in construction material supply. GOV.UK
Bath Council has approved HUB and Bridges Fund Management’s plan for a 450-home mixed-use development on a former Homebase site by the River Avon. Solihull Council has approved outline plans for 250 homes near the Berkswell Windmill. Planning permission has been granted for 161 new homes in Newbuildings, County Londonderry. In Manchester, proposals for 758 build-to-rent apartments in a two-tower development have been submitted. Story Homes has updated plans for 350 homes on the former Camelot Theme Park site in Chorley. Consultations are also underway for 320 homes near Somerset’s £4bn gigafactory. Housing Today (register), Solihull Observer, BBC, Housing Today (register), Lancashire Post, and Somerset Live