Daily News: 21/05/2025
Sage Homes has raised £270m through a sustainable bond as part of its ambition to deliver 30,000 homes by 2030. Meanwhile, Selwood Housing, based in the South West, has secured a £75m loan from Venn (part of ESR Group) under the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme. Housing Today (register), Insider Media
Cambridgeshire County Council has finished early market engagement for a major construction framework launching in summer 2025, with the full framework due in 2026. At the same time, Slough Borough Council has extended its maintenance services partnership with Cardo (South) until March 2027, praising the contractor’s strong performance. Construction News (register), Housing Executive
Vistry Group is the preferred developer for Sunderland’s Sheepfolds neighbourhood, with up to 600 homes planned. In Leyland, Keepmoat and Onward Homes are investing over £10m in 45 new affordable homes. Additionally, Heim Global Investor and West Yorkshire Pension Fund have secured £50m to develop a major apartment scheme in Leeds’ South Bank. Insider Media, Lancashire Post, and Insider Media
Homes England and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority have signed a Strategic Place Partnership to boost local housing and regeneration. In addition, Michael Lyons, chair of the New Towns Development Corporation, warned housebuilders against diluting new town schemes, stressing strong expectations for design and housing mix. GOV.UK, Housing Today (register)
United Living Group has acquired civil engineering contractor Peter Duffy Ltd, which has an annual turnover of £22m, expanding its capabilities in the infrastructure sector. Construction Enquirer
Wates Group has urged ministers to revive private finance initiatives (PFIs) to fund essential public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and housing. At the same time, the scaffolding sector are divided over proposed training reforms, with leaders clashing on skills development direction. Construction Enquirer, Construction Enquirer
Cost consultant Gardiner & Theobald has downgraded its tender price rise forecasts as market caution increases. Meanwhile, construction firms accounted for 18.1% of all insolvencies in England and Wales in March 2025, with 377 construction businesses going insolvent, according to the Insolvency Service. Construction Enquirer, BCIS
Researchers estimate nearly 1m homes could be built on 1.6% of the UK’s green belt, plus 1.7m more on grey belt and brownfield sites. Housing Today (register)
A plan for 485 homes at a former gasworks site in Hemel Hempstead is recommended for approval ahead of a key vote. In Preston, Stoneygate Living seeks temporary permission to use a city centre site as open storage after a plot sale fell through. Additionally, plans have been submitted for 325 “high-quality” homes in Wickford, Essex, and Persimmon has proposed 150 homes on Firthland Road, Pickering, with 35% affordable housing. Watford Observer, Place North West, Essex Live, and Place Yorkshire