Leading housing association Bromford has made a strong start to the year, securing land for 179 new homes across three sites so far, as part of its commitment to delivering much-needed affordable housing. These new developments will be built in Brierley Hill, Dudley (50 homes), Highnam, Tewkesbury (95 homes), and Hopwood, near Bromsgrove (34 homes). These homes will be a mix of social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership, ensuring a mix of tenure options to support a range of housing needs. Beyond these secured sites, Bromford is also progressing contracts to acquire land for over 1,000 additional homes across multiple locations, aiming to complete agreements by the end of March 2025.These future developments will support the housing association’s long-term strategy to increase the scale of its housebuilding programme and deliver more affordable homes to meet growing demand. A significant proportion of these homes will be for social rent, reinforcing Bromford’s position as England’s largest builder of social rent homes. These land purchases form part of Bromford’s ambitious goal to build 11,000 homes across the West Midlands and West of England over the next seven years, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality homes at scale. Lyndon Parkes, Head of Land at Bromford, said: “This year has started strongly, with a number of land deals completed and even more in the pipeline. With more than 1.2 million households currently waiting for a social home in England1, the need for high-quality, affordable housing has never been greater. “Our latest acquisitions mark another step forward in our efforts to deliver much-needed homes, and with demand continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever that we build at scale. Securing land is a vital part of this strategy, allowing us to play a leading role in tackling the housing crisis. As we look ahead, our focus remains on identifying and securing land opportunities that align with our mission to support and uplift the communities we serve, helping them to thrive.” As part of Bromford’s ongoing efforts to deliver homes more efficiently and sustainably, Bromford is also set to build some of its future developments using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This approach will see key structural elements manufactured offsite before being assembled on location, reducing onsite waste and improving overall efficiency. Bromford continues to explore ways to lessen environmental impact while accelerating the delivery of new homes. Bromford is actively seeking new land opportunities to further its development ambitions. To learn more about how the housing association acquires land or to discuss potential opportunities, visit Bromford’s land acquisition page. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The London Borough of Redbridge has received a much-needed boost in social housing with the completion of the first 23 of 98 new affordable homes at Barkingside Yard. The remaining homes are set to be delivered by summer, helping to address the capital’s housing crisis. Developed by Peabody in partnership with Vistry Group and Places for London (Transport for London’s commercial property company), this regeneration project has transformed a former builder’s yard into high-quality, 100% social rent housing. These homes will provide secure, affordable accommodation for those on the council’s waiting list. High-Quality Homes in a Prime Location The development offers a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, including: Designed by architects Sheppard Robson and ECE Architecture, Barkingside Yard is more than just a housing development—it also improves local infrastructure. Enhancements include new pedestrian crossings, solar lighting, upgraded cycle parking, and reconfigured station car parking to improve accessibility and safety. Sustainability at the Core Barkingside Yard prioritises sustainability with: As part of the planning agreement with Redbridge Council, the development will also contribute to improvements at Fairlop Waters Country Park. Key Stakeholders Celebrate Progress To mark the completion of the first phase, representatives from Peabody, Vistry Group, Places for London, the Greater London Authority (GLA), Redbridge Council, and Turner & Townsend Project Management gathered at Barkingside Yard on 30 January. James McMylor, Regional Managing Director of Development at Peabody, said:“These new homes provide essential affordable housing while also enhancing the local community with sustainable and green spaces. We look forward to welcoming residents later this year and seeing the positive impact of this development.” Rachel Wood, Senior Development Manager at Places for London, added:“We’re proud to bring much-needed affordable homes to Barkingside while prioritising accessibility and sustainability. This project is a step forward in creating well-connected, thriving city communities.” Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing & Residential Development, commented:“This development, supported by the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme, delivers vital social housing alongside improved public spaces, solar lighting, and enhanced cycle parking—building a fairer, greener London for all.” With all 98 homes set for completion by summer, Barkingside Yard is a shining example of collaborative urban regeneration, providing quality housing while enriching the local community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Places for People, the UK’s leading social enterprise, has acquired a 110-acre site on the outskirts of Edinburgh to deliver more than 1,300 much-needed homes. This significant development will help address the growing demand for housing in the Scottish capital, as the organisation continues its mission to create thriving, sustainable communities. Located west of the city centre, the site boasts excellent transport links and close proximity to education, leisure, and employment opportunities. The acquisition from Murray Estates marks a major step in delivering high-quality housing in line with the Edinburgh City Plan 2030. Colin Jack, Regional Managing Director – Scotland of Places for People Developments, said:“The City of Edinburgh and the Scottish Government have declared a housing emergency, highlighting the urgent need for new homes. Scotland has long faced a chronic housing shortage, and we are committed to helping address this. We’re excited to play a key role in shaping the west of Edinburgh with a mixed-tenure development that will create a lasting, vibrant community.” A Vision for Modern, Connected Living The masterplan for the development will take inspiration from new town principles, creating a well-balanced, sustainable neighbourhood. Key elements of the plan include: David Murray, Managing Director of Murray Estates’ owner Murray Capital, added:“As a family business that has owned this site for 40 years, we are delighted to see our vision for Redheughs being brought to life by an organisation dedicated to building high-quality, sustainable communities. This development is a key milestone in the expansion of west Edinburgh, delivering thousands of homes the capital urgently needs.” Beyond Housing: A Commitment to Social Impact As a social enterprise, Places for People is committed to enhancing the wider community beyond just building homes. The organisation will promote apprenticeships, local employment, and training schemes while supporting initiatives such as the Hays Community Pantry and the Tools for Equity project. Through its subsidiary, Places Leisure, it also plans to expand physical activity programmes and extend the Relational Mentoring Project in partnership with Wise Group. Colin Jack concluded:“Our goal is not just to build homes but to create places where people can truly thrive. We believe in fostering strong, connected communities by working closely with local charities and businesses to provide essential services and opportunities. We look forward to collaborating with Edinburgh City Council to bring this vision to life.” Construction is set to begin in summer 2026, marking a major milestone in addressing Edinburgh’s housing needs and shaping the city’s future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading housing association Bromford has invested in a state-of-the-art piece of cleaning equipment as part of its commitment to creating cleaner, safer communities. This advanced, hand-held tool will allow the housing association to quickly and efficiently tackle stubborn marks on walls and floors, even in hard to reach areas. The investment is particularly welcome in areas like Staple Hill, where concerns about anti-social behaviour have been raised by customers and where Bromford’s place-based approach is currently in action. Launched in August, the place-based approach brings together a team of neighbourhood coaches, engineers, and landscapers to collaborate and address local issues swiftly and effectively. By enabling teams to test new solutions, this approach has strengthened Bromford’s ability to respond to customer feedback and improve neighbourhoods. Kevin Johnson, Cleaning, Waste and Pest Control Programme Manager, highlighted the importance of this investment, saying, “This is a significant investment for us and will bring cleaning into the 21st century. We’re taking back lots of the services that would normally be contracted out, so we get more value for money and more control over what we do. It also gives colleagues the chance to train so they can progress through the cleaning directorate.” Bringing cleaning services in-house is expected to deliver faster response times and higher-quality outcomes. Beyond its practical benefits, the new machine underlines Bromford’s dedication to enhancing the overall appearance of its communities, reducing anti-social behaviour, and meeting the needs of its customers. As Bromford continues to roll out its place-based approach, this investment will play a key role in maintaining and improving homes and neighbourhoods, contributing to safer, more welcoming environments for everyone. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Sovereign Network Group (SNG) has completed the first homes built to its pioneering Homes and Place Standard at Moonhill Rise in Exeter. These groundbreaking properties exemplify SNG’s vision for sustainable, future-proof living and set a new benchmark for residential development in the UK. The Homes and Place Standard is a market-leading framework developed to assess quality and ensure every project prioritises sustainability, health, wellbeing and community creation. SNG designed Moonhill Rise to inform what “good” looks like across all its projects, both existing homes and new schemes, allowing further analysis to improve the home and place for SNG customers. It drives the approach to quality, urban design and SNG’s range of house types, and is now embedded across the organisation at all levels, from new build to retrofit. All new build properties designed under the Homes and Place Standard follow a fabric-first approach, specifying the most environmentally friendly materials and technologies to minimise energy usage. The first homes at Moonhill Rise are part of a new portfolio of standard house and apartment types that have delivered greater than 75% carbon reduction, meeting the forthcoming requirements of the Future Homes Standard. The homes are therefore warmer when required, healthier, cheaper to run and better for the customers’ environment. Moonhill Rise includes 33 Shared Ownership homes in a range of two, three, and four-bedroom house types. From the outset, all elements of the design were benchmarked against a set of demanding measures that include energy efficiency, cost-of-living, connectivity, health and wellbeing. The result is properties designed with the needs of modern living in mind, exceeding national space standards, designed for adapting living arrangements and providing generous storage to ensure both comfort and practicality. The homes feature large windows that allow more natural light to the interiors, contributing to a sense of well-being and creating uplifting living spaces. Rolling out the implementation of the Homes and Place Standard comes at a transformative time for SNG. The group, which was formed from the merger of Sovereign Housing Association and Network Homes in October 2023, delivered 2,100 homes in 2023/4 and has set the ambitious target of delivering 25,000 homes by 2033.   Richard Young, Technical Director at Sovereign Network Group, commented: “The completion of the first homes built to the Homes and Place Standard at Moonhill Rise is a proud milestone for Sovereign Network Group and a testament to our commitment to raising the bar in housing design and quality. By putting customer needs at the heart of our work, we’re not just building homes, we’re building better futures for our residents and the communities they live in.” Sustainability has been embedded into every aspect of these new homes. They are constructed from timber frame and equipped with solar panels, air source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging points, making them highly energy efficient and environmentally friendly. In addition to focusing on individual homes, the development has been designed to foster community connections, with thoughtfully planned communal spaces including local play areas, encouraging interaction among residents. New residents Chirag and Zeel Shah who recently moved into their new homes at Moonhill Rise commented: “The attention to detail in these homes is like nothing we’ve seen before. Our home feels so spacious and the large windows bring in so much light, something we’ve been particularly grateful for this winter. The Shared Ownership option also made owning a home like this possible for us, which is amazing.” The Homes and Place Standard is now embedded across SNG, informing every decision from urban design to individual building specifications. By setting a benchmark for quality and liveability, SNG ensures its developments will remain places people are proud to call home. The standards will continue to evolve over time, ensuring that SNG continues to build places that truly work for people. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Building work is officially underway on the second phase of Aspire Housing’s £20 million regeneration project in Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Silkworks at Cross Street will provide a collection of 43 new homes, including one-bed apartments and two-bed and three-bed affordable homes to rent. Dan Gray, Executive Director of Place at Aspire Housing, said: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on the aspirational new Silkworks development at Cross Street. “This second phase of the Chesterton and Crackley regeneration programme builds upon the exciting journey we started in 2018, when we first met with residents and put forward plans to transform the housing offer in the area. “We were delighted to introduce 9 new homes in 2022 upon completion of the first phase, and now we’re looking forward to seeing the Chesterton community continue to grow and thrive as we prepare to build 43 new affordable homes to benefit local residents for generations to come.” Keon Homes has been appointed to construct the Silkworks scheme, with work already taking place to clear the site and prepare for the new homes. Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director at Keon Homes, commented: “It’s great news to get underway on phase two of Cross Street in Chesterton, building on the successful delivery of a previous nine bungalow scheme we completed for Aspire Housing. “The latest development will involve the construction of 43 homes, consisting of a mix of high quality one-bed apartments, along with two and three-bed properties. Importantly, it also continues momentum on a larger scale regeneration project in an area that badly needs affordable housing.” This project has been part-funded by Homes England and Newcastle Town Deal as part of a joint partnership journey to transform the area. The development is due to be completed in early 2026, creating sustainable homes for local people. The third phase of this project is currently in development, with planning applications approved. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals