Daily News: 01/10/2025
Over 700 housing developments are currently stalled, putting around 8,500 affordable homes at risk, as social housing providers increasingly pull back from Section 106 agreements, threatening delays to the government’s five-year housing plan and national delivery targets. Home Builders Federation
Places for People saw a surge in surplus after merging with Origin Housing, posting £376m pre-tax profit for 2024/25, up from £80.1m the year before. Wheatley Group achieved its highest annual completions in six years with 844 homes, while Accent Group’s third ESG report highlights progress on safe, sustainable, and affordable housing under the Social Housing Sustainability Reporting Standard. Meanwhile, complaints to Wiltshire Council have risen 63% in recent years. Housing Today (register), Housing Today (register), Investing.com, and This is Wiltshire
The Guinness Partnership has appointed 25 contractors, including Durkan, Higgins, Mulalley and Stanmore, to a new £300m remediation framework. The four-year deal, managed by ProcurePublic, will support planned and reactive remediation works across its residential and mixed-use developments. Construction News (register)
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has seen a recent dip in sales, with the upcoming autumn budget adding to homebuyer uncertainty. In Northern Ireland, Northstone (NI) Ltd reported a pre-tax profit of £3.3m on £382.4m turnover despite “very challenging” trading conditions. Meanwhile, contractor Gilbert-Ash more than doubled pre-tax profit to £4.6m, even as turnover fell 10% to £236m, attributing success to its employee ownership model. Bucks Free Press, Belfast Telegraph, and Construction Enquirer
Tender prices rose by an estimated 0.7% between Q2 and Q3 2025, bringing annual growth to 2.5% in the BCIS All-in Tender Price Index (TPI). BCIS
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said most of Labour’s planned housing reforms are already complete, warning developers not to delay projects in anticipation of further changes. He emphasised that the government’s priority is delivery, urging housebuilders to accelerate rather than hold back. Housing Today (register)
On the Isle of Wight, councillors have conditionally approved the West Acre Park estate, a 473-home development in Ryde, while 245 homes were greenlit on farmland south of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. In Scotland’s Western Isles, Hebridean Housing Partnership received approval for 160 affordable homes near Stornoway. Other major schemes include a public inquiry for 975 homes in Chalfont St Peter, a second consultation for 245 homes in Tadley, and approval for 200 homes in Acle, Norfolk. Upcoming decisions include 217 homes in Bolsover and a £40m, 133-home development in Rainworth. Isle of Wight County Press, Cambridgeshire Live, BBC, Bucks Free Press, Newbury Today, Eastern Daily Press, BBC, and Chad