Daily News: 19/08/2025
Midland Heart reported a turnover of £243m in its latest financial statements, an £11m increase on the previous year, with surplus soaring by £25m. Sovereign Network Group (SNG) posted a 19.8% rise in operating surplus to £47m for Q1 of the 2025/26 financial year, compared with the previous quarter. Housing Today (register), Investing.com
The government has approved a £121.8m funding package to transform Newcastle’s Forth Yards, the city’s last major brownfield site, into a new neighbourhood with up to 2,500 homes and enhanced public and commercial spaces. GOV.UK
Pinnacle Investments has joined the Hyde Group through a new joint venture partnership, aiming to secure more institutional capital to deliver thousands of homes over the next five years. Hyde Group
Dumfries and Galloway Council has unveiled its new Local Housing Strategy (LHS), setting out a bold vision, priorities, and actions to deliver high-quality housing and related services across the region in the coming years. Dumfries and Galloway Council
A new report, The Social Value of Social Homes in Scotland, examines the experiences of new social tenants in both new-build and refurbished homes, highlighting the social outcomes for individuals, including those moving from existing social tenancies. HACT
Pinnacle Group has secured its first major housing management contract in Manchester, being appointed to manage a landmark development on behalf of Manchester City Council. Nurture Pest Control has won a five-year contract with the Hyde Group to provide pest control services across 55,000 homes. FMJ, Housing Executive
A report has uncovered significant flaws in the management of Glasgow City Council’s construction firm, City Building. The probe, launched following whistleblower allegations, identified issues with purchasing and HR practices. BBC
Project delays caused by the Building Safety Act are beginning to ease, boosting tendering activity in the UK construction sector during Q2 2025, according to a new report. The sector also saw its fewest insolvencies since January 2025, with 325 firms collapsing in June, a 15.5% drop from May, though labour shortages and supply chain pressures continue to affect industry stability. Construction News (register), Construction Wave
The UK government has introduced environmental reforms aimed at breaking the gridlock in the planning system, accelerating infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while ensuring environmental protections. GOV.UK
A council’s 3,750-home plan faces criticism for threatening Thomas Hardy’s landscape, while Northallerton’s second phase by the Church Commissioners proposes nearly 500 homes. Genr8 Kajima has applied to redevelop Huyton with 420 homes, a hotel, and commercial space, aiming for a 2027 start, a hotel, and commercial space. Cornwall sees plans for 348 homes sparking debate over local allocation, and Bayston Hill has proposals for 200 new homes. BBC, Insider Media, Place North West, Cornwall Live, and Shropshire Star