Daily News: 22/04/2025
Notting Hill Genesis has confirmed that the Regulator of Social Housing has agreed to its action plan aimed at regaining compliance with the regulator’s governance and consumer standards. Notting Hill Genesis
Platform Housing Group has reported an 8% year-on-year increase in housing starts but a dip in completions. The Midlands-based housing provider remains focused on its target to deliver 7,500 new homes over the next five years. Housing Today (register)
Wirral Council has reported a record high in home adaptations, completing over 500 more schemes than the previous year. The surge reflects growing demand for support that helps residents, particularly older and disabled people, live independently in their homes. Wirral Globe
A new AI tool aims to help councils speed up planning decisions by digitising outdated paper systems. It supports the government’s goal of delivering 1.5m new homes. GOV.UK
Gentoo has launched a 10-year, £170m partnership with PHS Solutions, Esh Construction, and RE:GEN Group to modernise thousands of homes across Sunderland. Gentoo Group
Nearly £85m in town centre projects in Newcastle-under-Lyme have been approved, including 300 flats and amenities. Meanwhile, Tower Hamlets Council is seeking contractors for a £60m redevelopment of St George’s Leisure Centre in London. BBC, Construction Enquirer
Two residential blocks in north London are set to undergo a pilot refurbishment project after safety concerns were raised. The initiative aims to address structural and fire safety issues and could inform wider improvements across the borough. BBC
The Building Safety Regulator has missed its deadline to clear the Gateway 2 backlog by April, delaying the start of numerous high-rise residential projects nationwide. The CITB still holds a £95.2m cash reserve despite ongoing skills shortages in the construction industry. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer
As of March 2025, 5,031 residential buildings in England, each 11 metres or taller, are identified with unsafe cladding, a rise of 17 since February. The UK Build-to-Rent sector pipeline has grown to 286,935 homes. In Wales, housebuilding data from October to December 2024 shows new dwelling starts ranged from 615 to 2,141, and completions ranged from 938 to 2,066 over the past nine years. GOV.UK, British Property Federation, and Welsh Government
Independent Age’s April 2025 report recommends shortening EPC validity from 10 to 5 years and creating new EPC metrics based on consumer research to better support older private renters. Independent Age
Controversial plans for 122 homes on a disused university playing field in Cheltenham have been approved. Proposals for 483 homes at St Peter’s Hospital have been submitted, while Richborough Homes plans 250 homes in Eight Ash Green. Additionally, plans for 170 new homes on the outskirts of Hartlepool have been lodged, and concerns are raised about infrastructure needs for a proposed 160-home development in Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds. Gloucestershire Live, BBC, Gazette Standard, The Northern Echo, and Bury Mercury