Daily News: 16/09/2025
Landlords have continued to invest heavily in maintaining existing housing stock, spending £9.1bn on repairs and maintenance in the 12 months to June 2025, up from £8.2bn the previous year, with a forecast 12-month spend rising a further 3% to £10.3bn. GOV.UK
Thrive Homes and Watford Community Housing have entered formal discussions over a potential merger to form a new customer-focused Community Gateway housing association, aimed at strengthening affordable housing delivery across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. Thrive Homes
Westminster City Council has rebranded its market sale arm as Westminster Living, with ambitions to generate nearly £1bn in receipts to fund new social and affordable housing delivery. Meanwhile, Places for People has secured a further £19.9m from Homes England to support the delivery of more affordable homes. In Surrey, Runnymede Borough Council (RBC) has committed to purchasing 13 additional properties to help meet social housing demand and provide more homes for families in need. Housing Today (register), Places for People Group, and BBC
Westminster City Council has launched the search for a main contractor to deliver its £80m landmark housing scheme at 291 Harrow Road, marking a major step forward in its regeneration plans. Construction Enquirer
Kier Group reported a 15% rise in pre-tax profit to £78.1m on revenue of £4.08bn, with outgoing chief executive Andrew Davies bowing out on a high. By contrast, Gleeson saw interim pre-tax profit halve but remains confident a restructure will restore margins in the second half of the year. Errigal Facades nearly doubled turnover to £34m, citing contract timings and a strong pipeline, while Springfield Properties is exploring a shift towards rental income in northern Scotland, targeting workers in the power infrastructure sector. Meanwhile, administrators of collapsed contractor Tolent are considering legal action to recover debts owed to the firm. The Construction Index, Housing Today (register), Construction News (register), Scottish Housing News, and Construction News (register)
The RTPI has unveiled Empower 2030, its new five-year strategic plan for 2025-2030, which sets out a vision to elevate the planning profession, deliver greater value for members, and expand its membership base. RTPI
Basildon Council may take over the £130m Craylands estate regeneration to deliver 763 homes with Homes England. Elsewhere, 570 homes in Hornchurch face strong opposition, 300+ homes are planned on Dereham’s edge, 256 homes and a park are proposed on a disused South London golf course, and in rural Kent, a 160-home scheme has advanced with assurances on GP capacity. Yellow Advertiser, This is Local London, Eastern Daily Press, MyLondon, and Kent Live