Daily News: 10/12/2025
A new Tees Valley Housing Partnership has been launched, bringing together housing associations, local councils and the combined authority to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes across the region. The collaboration aims to coordinate efforts, strengthen investment, and increase the supply of much-needed housing. Thirteen Group
The Voices of the Future study from CIH Futures captures insights from over 900 young housing professionals, highlighting how the next generation views their roles and the future of the sector. Meanwhile, L&Q is investing £3.7m to boost frontline visibility by hiring 87 new staff, aiming to strengthen neighbourhood presence and improve customer service, service charges, complaints, and enquiries. Chartered Institute of Housing, HQN
The PRS REIT sold its 5,478-home portfolio for £1.1bn to Northern LGPS and Local Pensions Partnership Investments, who also acquired its operating arm and plan to invest £1bn to grow the portfolio to 15,000 homes in the next decade. Place North West
Construction materials distributor GRS Roadstone Group has bought back the 23.7% stake previously held by Tarmac, while Swindon-based M&E contractor Roberts & Prowse has been acquired through a management buyout. Meanwhile, Berkeley says strong subcontractor competition is keeping build costs flat, with this trend expected to continue into next year. Infrastructure contractor M Group has reported a deeper £87.7m pre-tax loss despite revenue rising to £2.5bn, according to its latest results. The Construction Index, The Construction Index, Construction Enquirer, and Construction News (register)
The FMB has released an updated suite of builder contract templates, refreshed to reflect requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022 and aimed at helping raise construction standards across the industry. Federation of Master Builders
In Q3 2025, builders’ merchants’ value sales fell slightly by 0.1% compared to Q3 2024, while volume sales rose 0.7% and prices dropped 0.8%. Meanwhile, specialist plumbing & heating merchants saw total value sales up 2.8%, volume sales down 2.5%, and prices up 5.4% in the same period. Builders Merchant Building Index, Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index
Planning applications for social housing are surging, signalling a potential sector recovery with steady growth expected through 2029. In 2025, 820 new social housing applications were submitted, a 21% year-on-year increase, marking a much stronger rise than in recent years. Housing Executive
Places for People has secured land in South Gloucestershire, subject to planning, to deliver 2,050 new homes in partnership with local landowners, aiming to help meet the area’s significant housing need. Places for People Group
645 homes approved in Norton despite local service concerns. 200+ homes in Maldon, including affordable housing, are likely to be approved, objections were raised by Suffolk County Council to 1,000+ homes near Ipswich over funding for nurseries and schools, and 255 new homes are planned in Plymouth’s Seaton Neighbourhood. Darlington & Stockton Times, Essex Live, East Anglian Daily Times, and Plymouth Live