Daily News: 16/10/2025
Fitch Ratings has downgraded London & Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q) to ‘A-’ from ‘A’ with a Stable Outlook, and its short-term rating to ‘F1’ from ‘F1+’. Meanwhile, Platform Housing Group was affirmed at ‘A+’ with a Negative Outlook, reflecting continued financial resilience amid sector cost pressures. Fitch Ratings, Fitch Ratings
Clarion Housing Group has published its annual Making a Difference report, marking £1bn in social value generated and setting out performance across key ESG measures. Clarion Housing Group
Since 2020, Hackney Council has spent £38m buying back homes to boost social housing. PPHA has added 156 affordable rentals in Kent from Barratt Redrow, while Cornwall Council plans to sell 37 of 79 SoloHaus units for single homeless people due to £9m setup costs. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council has approved a new private rented sector licensing scheme covering around 12,500 homes in deprived areas. Hackney Citizen, Housing Executive, BBC, and Housing Today (register)
The Northern Housing Consortium has urged ministers to rethink the proposed new DHS, warning that in its current form it would be too prescriptive and costly. Housing Today (register)
Manchester City Council plans tens of millions in investment to regenerate Gorton Town Centre, with Clarion Housing set to deliver 400+ homes across 17 sites over 10-15 years. Homes England is backing SME Forge New Homes with a £7m loan for 58 homes at Welbeck Gardens, Bolsover, while Adur Council adds £1m to its Southwick project after contractor delays. Manchester City Council, GOV.UK, and The Argus
The Hyde Group has awarded a £3bn construction and refurbishment framework spanning seven lots to deliver projects across the UK. Meanwhile, Sustainable Building Services (SBS) has launched a £1.8m retrofit project to upgrade the energy efficiency of nearly 100 homes in Clifton, Nottingham. Construction News (register), TheBusinessDesk.com
Administrators for a mechanical and electrical specialist have had a CPS asset-freezing order lifted, letting them pursue claims for creditors. Meanwhile, Nottingham steelwork contractor Caunton Engineering saw turnover and profit fall, posting £65.5m for the year to January 2025. Construction News (register), Construction News (register)
A SafeSite Facilities survey finds three-quarters of UK construction workers worry about climate change affecting site safety as winter approaches. Meanwhile, construction output in Great Britain rose 0.3% in the three months to August 2025, and new home starts outside London are now above two-year averages, with some regions seeing nearly 70% higher Q2 2025 starts than last year. FMJ, Office for National Statistics, and Savills
The London Borough of Harrow and Wates Residential have secured planning for Poets Corner, a regeneration of the former Civic Centre site with 1,000+ homes. Near York, the first phase of a “garden village” of 300+ homes has been approved. In London, HUB plans the final phase of Elephant Park with 678 co-living and social rent homes, a health hub, and upgraded public spaces, while a former West Sussex caravan site could provide 100+ homes. Housing Executive, BBC, Construction Enquirer, and BBC