Bolton Council has launched an investigation after reports that a number of historic building control certificates may be missing from its system. The council says it is working with its audit committee and the Building Safety Regulator to address the issue and review absent documents.
Hackney Council is moving to appoint Wates to complete the residential phase of the Britannia Masterplan after Ardmore Construction Group entered administration and work on the £200m scheme stalled. The council says restarting the project will increase costs, with immediate expenditure needed for site security, structural checks and mobilisation under a preconstruction services agreement.
The article argues that ESG is becoming a central part of commercial property decision-making, with environmental risk now influencing due diligence, valuation and portfolio strategy. It highlights UK government reform of the EPC regime and a shift toward earlier access to environmental information in transactions.
The article explains how the UK’s Steel Strategy and quota-based tariff measures may increase cost and programme uncertainty for construction projects that rely on imported steel. It argues that contractors and employers should address tariff exposure early through bespoke contractual risk allocation rather than relying on standard-form remedies after costs arise.
The article argues that the conveyancer’s role has expanded beyond core legal work to include more compliance, administrative and client-service tasks, contributing to longer transaction times. It highlights government proposals for greater digitalisation, reusable AML checks and AI standards, while suggesting that specialist tasks such as SDLT may be better handled separately.
Government figures show a sharp rise in Right to Buy sales, with eligible council home purchases up 90% year-on-year to 14,275 in 2025-26. The increase is linked to applicants rushing to secure higher discounts before a reduction, while the government is also progressing reforms to tighten eligibility and protect social housing stock.
The Environment Agency is advertising a permit application from BDW Trading Limited for Trows Farm, Cowm Top, Castleton, Rochdale, under reference EPR/ZP3528MJ/A001. The notice confirms a public consultation on activities that may include water discharge, groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant or specified generators.
Harworth is progressing plans for a second phase of its West of Wingates industrial scheme in Bolton, with an EIA scoping request submitted and a hybrid planning application expected. The next phase could deliver up to 215,000 sq ft of industrial units on a 15-acre site, following approval and funding for the first phase.
Devonshire Homes collapsed in June with £35.3m owed to unsecured trade creditors, and administrators do not expect any dividend to be paid to them. Only the secured lender, Lloyds, is likely to receive any recovery, while HMRC and former employees’ preferential claims are also unlikely to be repaid in full.
The government has allocated nearly £10 billion from its £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to 33 strategic partners, including councils and housing associations, to support delivery of 73,600 homes over the next 10 years. The package also includes funding to strengthen local authority capacity and expand planning-related training, with RICS welcoming the emphasis on professional skills across surveying, valuation and development.
A BBC investigation alleges serious misconduct by a letting agent and his agency, including failure to return tenant deposits, unpaid rent owed to landlords, and concerns that deposits may not have been placed in a regulated scheme. The report also references staff departures and an alleged cannabis farm tenancy at one of the managed properties.
A poll reported by Goodlord suggests many letting agents are increasing fees to landlords and facing higher compliance workloads following the Renters Rights Act. The article also says possession is becoming more difficult after the abolition of Section 21, with longer Section 8 processes and court delays adding to landlord and agent pressures.
