Liverpool City Council has approved its draft local plan for independent inspection, setting out a framework to deliver 33,750 homes and 5.8 million sq ft of employment floorspace by 2043. The plan allocates 145 development sites, includes a brownfield-first approach, and introduces additional controls on HMOs and late-opening takeaways and off licences outside the city centre.
A housing association's plans for a 2,800-home redevelopment of the Lesnes Estate in south east London have been delayed after a judge agreed to hold a judicial review. The case introduces an obstacle to the proposed estate demolition and redevelopment programme.
A prime lettings agent reports that tenant demand in London remains strong, but renters are becoming more selective, negotiating harder and moving away from overpriced homes. The article links this behavioural split to the Renters Rights Act threshold at £2,000 per week, suggesting the market is starting to operate differently above and below that level.
Rightmove says it expects to incur £2.3 million in legal and professional costs this year following the launch of a proposed class action alleging it charged excessive and unfair fees to estate agents. The Competition Appeal Tribunal has set a hearing for 2 and 3 November, and Rightmove says it will defend the claim vigorously.
Foxtons says the Renters’ Rights Act is already supporting its lettings business, with stronger demand for property management services, Build to Rent growth and increased cross-selling of ancillary landlord and tenant services. At the same time, the company reports continued weakness in sales and has reduced costs to reflect lower transaction volumes, while calling for Stamp Duty reform to support home moving.
Rightmove analysis shows significant regional variation in property transaction times across Britain, with London taking the longest on average and Scotland the fastest due to different legal processes and greater use of upfront information. The data also highlights that the period between agreed sale and completion is the main source of delay, and that the overall home-moving process is taking more than seven months on average.
Preston City Council’s planning committee is expected to approve three residential schemes next week, totalling 160 homes across the city centre and Broughton. The proposals include new-build apartments, conversion of upper floors at the listed Miller Arcade, and reserved matters approval for a countryside housing site off Garstang Road, with affordable housing secured through a mix of on-site provision and Section 106 contributions.
The Housing Ombudsman has published its consultation response and revised Scheme ahead of the introduction of STAIRs, a new information-access regime for tenants of Private Registered Providers. The changes set out new publication duties from 1 October 2026 and a separate complaints route for tenants from 1 April 2027, with the Ombudsman acting as the official complaints body.
Bridgemere Group and Castle Green Homes have been granted permission to challenge a Department for Transport direction that has delayed a 330-home scheme in Warrington. The dispute centres on land that may be needed for the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail route between Liverpool and Manchester, with the developer arguing the DfT’s approach was unlawful and avoided statutory blight provisions.
Torsion Construction has entered administration after efforts to secure a rescue solution failed, with the company citing prolonged difficult trading conditions and project-specific commercial pressures. The firm said direct payment arrangements on some projects helped protect clients and supply chain partners, but also reduced working capital, leaving administration as the only viable option.
Ribble Valley Council has refused two residential schemes, one in Wilpshire and one in Osbaldeston, despite differing officer recommendations. The decisions come amid concern that repeated appeal losses could place the council’s planning function into special measures, following recent inspectorate defeats on other housing proposals.
The Environment Agency says half of England is now in drought following record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures, with seven areas officially designated as drought zones. The response includes enhanced monitoring, tighter controls on water abstraction, and pressure on water companies to prioritise leak repairs and follow drought plans.
