Daily News: 15/07/2025
The Housing Ombudsman has completed its investigation into Wandle, triggered by a maladministration rate of over 89%, including severe cases. The Ombudsman is satisfied Wandle has acknowledged the issues and implemented an improvement plan with clear timelines and oversight. Housing Ombudsman Service
Audit Wales has found that Bridgend Council lacks consistent measures to ensure value for money when commissioning services. At the same time, the CSJ urged a £103m Housing First scheme to cut rough sleeping, costing just 3.4% of annual asylum hotel spend. Meanwhile, bond aggregator MorHomes, owned by 68 housing associations, reported a £67,000 loss, compared to a £1m profit the previous year. Wales Online, Housing Today (register), and Housing Today (register)
Trivallis issued a strongly worded statement responding to “false and misleading information online”, clarifying that 19 out of 20 homes go to people with strong local ties. Housing Today (register)
Travis Perkins Managed Services has signed a six-year contract extension with R3 Repairs, a maintenance provider serving the housing association sector across South East Scotland. Scottish Housing News
Pinnacle Group has added 342 homes to its portfolio through three new local authority contracts in London and the southeast. Elsewhere, Midgard is set to deliver 581 flats as part of a £145m twin-tower residential scheme in Birmingham, following a major funding deal. In a separate move, a Kennedy Wilson-led joint venture has acquired nearly 300 homes across three UK sites in deals worth around £100m. Pinnacle Group, Construction Enquirer, and Insider Media
Akela Construction is expanding into new sectors as part of its growth strategy, while Dalkia UK saw profits fall despite strong sales in nuclear and energy. Construction Wave, Construction News (register)
The Construction Leadership Council has issued new guidance for Building Control Approval Applications related to Higher-Risk Buildings (Gateway 2). Elsewhere, a recent survey shows construction product manufacturers returned to growth in Q2, though labour cost pressures remain. Construction insolvencies stayed high, with 385 firms failing in May, 17.2% of all cases in England and Wales. Construction Leadership Council, The Construction Index, and BCIS
A developer has proposed 130 homes in a North Herts village, while 550 homes are planned on green belt land in Grays. Riverside and Countryside have revised their Camden Roundhouse scheme to 478 homes, down from 680. An outline bid for up to 300 homes has been submitted in a Leicestershire town. Bellway has applied to build 233 homes in Saffron Walden. In Bristol, a developer plans to cut affordable homes in a 220-flat scheme from 66 to 25. Wrenman Homes has also submitted outline plans for 200 homes in Bolton-le-Sands. The Comet, Yellow Advertiser, Housing Today (register), BBC, Saffron Walden Reporter, Bristol Live, and Place North West