Daily News: 01/04/2025
Homes England has agreed to purchase the Broad Marsh site from Nottingham City Council, marking a significant step in the city’s regeneration plans. The redevelopment will deliver around 1,000 homes, supporting Nottingham’s transformation. GOV.UK
Islington Council will buy back 193 ex-Right to Buy homes, bringing its total acquisitions to 907 by March 2026, to combat homelessness. Meanwhile, Westminster City Council has finalised an agreement to purchase 368 homes from A2Dominion, alongside a £33m refurbishment plan. In addition, Pembrokeshire County Council has approved the purchase of 10 two-bedroom homes in Hook as part of its affordable housing strategy. Islington London Borough, South London Press, and Pembrokeshire County Council
Westmorland and Furness Council is bringing its Eden Homelessness and Housing Advice Service in-house from 1 April 2025, taking over from Eden Housing Association. Westmorland & Furness Council
The National Wealth Fund, in partnership with NatWest Group, has launched a £500m initiative to support social housing retrofits, with NWF providing a £400m guarantee for loans to housing providers. Furthermore, Wheatley Homes Glasgow has pledged £156m for city improvements through 2028. National Wealth Fund, Scottish Housing News
The UK government is streamlining infrastructure delivery by merging existing bodies to reduce red tape and tackle project delays. This move aims to accelerate the development of roads, railways, schools, hospitals, and housing, supporting the goal of delivering 1.5m new homes. GOV.UK
The CEO of Wildlife Trusts has criticised UK housebuilders for being “very bad at building houses”, attributing the lack of progress to land speculation, as Labour pushes to deliver 1.5m new homes. The Guardian
Thanet District Council has extended its 27-year partnership with Mears Group, reappointing the company as its repairs and maintenance contractor for the next 10 years, with an option to extend for a further five years. FMJ
Lendlease Construction UK has rebranded as Bovis following Atlas Holding’s acquisition. Meanwhile, Mears Group completed a £16m share buyback, its fifth in under two years. Additionally, Essex Services Group is expanding into technology and fit-out markets after posting record turnover. On the other hand, Multiplex Europe saw a one-third drop in pre-tax profits to £20m, despite 16% revenue growth. In contrast, Breyer Group is facing multiple winding-up petitions amid financial struggles. Finally, administrators recovered £5.1m from Ilke Homes’ collapse, but Homes England will receive only £126,423 from its £69m loan. Construction Enquirer, TheBusinessDesk.com, Construction News (register), Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer, and Construction News (register)
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has identified 202 large panel system tower blocks that require intensive safety-risk management and certification. Construction News (register)
A new estate of almost 450 homes is planned for Preston, featuring various property types, a school, and a park. Similarly, plans for up to 220 homes in Fleckney have been revealed, while an ‘in principle’ application has been submitted for a 145-home development in Crossways, Dorset. Lancashire Post, Harborough FM, and Dorset Echo