Daily News: 13/05/2025
VIVID has secured a £50m loan from Barclays to retrofit over 2,000 homes, improving energy efficiency and benefiting more than 4,000 customers, under the £1.3bn National Retrofit Fund scheme. Additionally, Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Group (MSV) has secured a £50m sustainability-linked Revolving Credit Facility from Lloyds to support affordable housing initiatives. VIVID, TheBusinessDesk.com
The merger of Melin Homes and Newport City Homes to form Hedyn, now Wales’ second largest housing association, has drawn strong social media reactions. Meanwhile, Gateshead Council’s housing boss has apologised after fewer than 20% of tenants were satisfied with how their housing complaints were handled. South Wales Argus, Chronicle Live
Housemark has released the first sector-wide year-end performance results for 2024/25, providing early insight into how social landlords are performing. At the same time, a report sets out proposals for improved housing governance in Scotland and highlights the role of housing in driving economic growth and wellbeing. Housing Executive, David Hume Institute
Broadacres Housing Association has awarded a £6.2m contract to RPS Group for retrofit works under the Yorkshire Warm Homes scheme. The Construction Index
Midgard has secured a £145m contract to deliver the Edition Birmingham residential scheme. Meanwhile, some of the UK’s largest pension funds have pledged £25bn toward infrastructure investment under the Mansion House Accord, potentially unlocking up to £50bn in total. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer
A Co Tyrone construction firm reported a 46% rise in pre-tax profits to £16m as turnover neared £500m, driven by expanded UK and Ireland operations. On the other hand, profit at BriggsAmasco dropped by over 40% due to project delays. In legal developments, Higgins Homes and four individuals face manslaughter charges over a 2018 fatality in Bethnal Green. Belfast Telegraph, Construction News (register), and Construction Enquirer
The G15 group, representing London’s largest housing associations, has reported a 66% drop in the number of new affordable homes being built in the past two years. Additionally, the NHBC’s Q1 2025 review reveals that 29,356 new homes were registered, marking a 36% increase compared to Q1 2024. BBC, NHBC
The construction sector saw a mixed start to 2025, with manufacturers reporting varied sales, though growth is expected later in the year, according to the CPA. In contrast, London has lost its title as the world’s most expensive city to build in, per Arcadis rankings. Builders Merchants News, The Construction Index
A report reveals that only 53% of ecological enhancements required by planning permissions in England were actually delivered on the ground. When newly planted trees were excluded, the figure dropped to just 34%. RTPI
In Arun District, up to 2,200 homes will be built near Bersted, while Birmingham has greenlit two residential towers, comprising 868 homes. A 300-home development near Wisbech is also set for approval, alongside a controversial 145-home project linked to Richard III’s history in Leicester. Furthermore, Davos has expanded its housing pipeline with an additional 200 homes in Liverpool. Sussex World, BBC, Eastern Daily Press, Leicestershire Live, and Place North West