Housebuilder Avant Homes South Wales and housing association Valleys to Coast have announced the exchange of contracts on a £42m deal to deliver 194 affordable homes in Maesteg. The new housing development will be built on the former Ewenny Road Industrial Estate which comprises 16-acres and is one of the
Starting out in the world of work can be tough, especially when experience is hard to come by. That’s why VIVID offers apprenticeships that give people the chance to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Four new electrician apprentices have recently joined the
Avant Homes has plunged into the red after setting aside more than £100m to address cladding and fire safety issues across its legacy developments. The housebuilder, led by former Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn, reported a pre-tax loss of £83m for the year ending 30 June 2024. The result marks
VIVID, a leading housing association in the south of England, has published its 2024–25 Annual Review – showcasing how customer insight, partnership and bold investment are transforming lives and neighbourhoods at scale. During the year, VIVID prioritised the areas that customers said mattered most to them – faster repairs, keeping customers
Bromford Flagship is delighted to announce that it has undertaken two new financing transactions this month to fund its strategic ambitions over the years ahead. These comprise the completion of a 25-year, £300m sustainable bond and an extended term loan from NatWest. The bond, which has a 25-year maturity, was
A transformative project to deliver more than 200 modern apartments has been completed within the regenerated Civic Campus in Hammersmith. The exciting joint venture by housing association A2Dominion and Hammersmith & Fulham Council forms part of a renewal project on King Street, providing hundreds of new homes, commercial units and
Landlords are already stepping up to meet the ambitions of the government’s consultation on the new Decent Homes 2 standard, with investment in improvement works up 26% in the last year, according to new data from market-leading procurement specialists Procure Plus. Key features of the proposed Decent Homes 2 standard
The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, held an event to celebrate the topping out of the final phase of their Leaside Lock development in Bromley-by-Bow, London. The event was attended by The Guinness Partnership’s Kevin Williams, Group Director of Development and Commercial Services who was joined by
Cordale Housing Association, a subsidiary of Caledonia Housing Association, has officially completed a significant housing development at Dalquhurn Lane in Renton, delivering 25 high-quality new homes for the local community. A handover ceremony to mark the completion of the £5.4 million development was held on site, with new tenants Angela
The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, held an event to celebrate topping out at their Northolt Road development in Harrow, North London - a development which will provide 191 new affordable homes. The event was attended by The Guinness Partnership’s Group Chief Executive Catriona Simons, who was joined
Housebuilder Avant Homes South Wales and housing association Valleys to Coast have announced the exchange of contracts on a £42m deal to deliver 194 affordable homes in Maesteg. The new housing development will be built on the former Ewenny Road Industrial Estate which comprises 16-acres and is one of the largest redevelopment and regeneration projects in the region. This marks Pontypridd-based Avant Homes South Wales’s inaugural deal with Valleys to Coast, and also the first since the housebuilder established a presence in Wales last year. Using Cardiff Capital Region funding, Bridgend County Borough Council worked to remediate the brownfield site to allow the new homes development to take place. Avant Homes will deliver a mix of energy efficient, practically designed house types. Of the homes, at least 108 will be built to Welsh Design Quality Requirements with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A and be carbon free, with the remainder achieving an EPC ‘B’ rating. The mix of homes available will include one-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached properties. The site has outline planning permission and Avant Homes South Wales will submit a reserved matters application in August. Subject to planning, work is expected to start next March, with the first residents scheduled to move in to their new homes next December. Avant Homes South Wales managing director, Martin Smith, commented: “This deal is an excellent example of effective collaborative working between Bridgend County Borough Council, Cardiff Capital Region, Valleys to Coast and ourselves. “It’s successful conclusion enables the provision of more quality new homes for the South Wales Valleys in a development that will create a thriving new community within Maesteg. “This is a landmark deal for Avant Homes South Wales with it being our first one with Valleys to Coast, and our first in Wales. “We have a highly capable and ambitious local team in our business who are proud to be playing their part in delivering this exciting and essential regeneration project. “We will continue to build upon this momentum and we are in advanced discussions regarding a number of other deals to provide quality affordable new homes throughout South Wales.” Avant Homes Group is headquartered in Barlborough, near Chesterfield, and operates across South Wales, the north of England, the Midlands and Scotland. The housebuilder has a multi-tenure growth strategy which sees it deliver homes for private sale, the private rented sector (PRS) and additional affordable housing. For the year ended 30 June 2025, the Avant Homes Group delivered 1,659 completions with net debt of less than £90m. For further information on Avant Homes visit www.avanthomes.co.uk and for Valleys to Coast go to www.valleystocoast.wales Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Starting out in the world of work can be tough, especially when experience is hard to come by. That’s why VIVID offers apprenticeships that give people the chance to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Four new electrician apprentices have recently joined the team, taking their first steps into the housing and trade sector and beginning a journey that could shape their future. The new apprentices will be working alongside experienced teams—learning the ropes, gaining qualifications, and building the confidence and skills they’ll need to succeed. It’s a meaningful opportunity to get hands-on experience in a skilled profession, and VIVID will be supporting them every step of the way. VIVID is growing its apprenticeship programme as part of a long-term approach to developing talent and strengthening its workforce. Apprenticeships offer a practical route into skilled roles, helping people build experience while contributing to the work that keeps homes and services running safely and smoothly. There are currently 19 apprentices working across different teams, and VIVID is looking to expand that number as it continues to invest in future skills. Duncan Short, Group Resources Director at VIVID, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome our new electrician apprentices. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn, grow, and build a career—and we’re proud to support people taking that first step. We’re looking forward to seeing them build their skills and confidence as they settle into life at VIVID.” Myles, one of VIVID’s new electrician apprentices, said “I’m really happy to be here at VIVID and I’m excited to learn new things every day in a hands on environment.” Mark Churcher, Head of Building Compliance at VIVID, said, “It’s great to welcome new apprentices on board. They’re joining a busy and skilled group who are always happy to share their knowledge. We’re here to make sure they get the experience and support they need to build confidence and start a strong career in the trade.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Avant Homes has plunged into the red after setting aside more than £100m to address cladding and fire safety issues across its legacy developments. The housebuilder, led by former Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn, reported a pre-tax loss of £83m for the year ending 30 June 2024. The result marks a sharp downturn from the previous year, driven largely by a £107m provision for fire safety remediation. Operating profit fell to £17m, down from £50m last year, with a further £15m in exceptional costs weighing on performance. These included charges for restructuring, asset impairments, and expenses linked to defective buildings. Avant said the increased provision reflected the identification of additional buildings requiring remediation, along with revised cost estimates that incorporate inflationary pressures. The company is also in discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to defer payments to the Building Safety Fund — a move that could relieve short-term pressure on its cash position. In a further potential blow, Avant highlighted an estimated £70m exposure related to new Scottish legislation aligned with the Building Safety Act in England. This figure has yet to be recognised in its financial statements. “We continue to develop a more detailed understanding of remediation costs… the level and cost of the remedial work will become increasingly clearer as we move through this process,” the company said. Despite the significant financial hit, Avant reduced its net bank debt from £145m to £117m and retains access to a £250m revolving credit facility. Revenue dipped 3.6% to £465m, though private average selling prices rose modestly to £310,000. The business saw a fall in social housing completions, down to 185 units from 287, while private rental sector (PRS) deliveries jumped to 319 homes, up from just 7 the previous year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VIVID, a leading housing association in the south of England, has published its 2024–25 Annual Review – showcasing how customer insight, partnership and bold investment are transforming lives and neighbourhoods at scale. During the year, VIVID prioritised the areas that customers said mattered most to them – faster repairs, keeping customers informed, and enhanced complaint handling. Improvements were driven by customers and its teams working closely together. Key results which brought a positive impact direct to customers include: Customers also helped shape this Annual Review. It contains stories and insights that bring to life the real impact of housing in transforming lives and strengthening communities. One standout story comes from Fielder Court, a housing complex for people over 55, where a customer, supported by VIVID’s customer influence team, helped launch and lead a new residents’ group. It’s a great example of how people are coming together to make their community feel more like home. Customer contributor Kevin Grantham said: “It’s not just about sharing what we’ve achieved at Fielder Court—it’s about showing how residents can shape the places they live and feel genuinely heard. Being involved in this annual review has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that when we work together, we can build communities we’re truly proud of.” The review also tracks VIVID’s performance against the Tenant Satisfaction Measures set by the Regulator of Social Housing. Mark Perry, Chief Executive of VIVID said: “We’re dedicated to providing high quality homes and consistent, reliable services that deliver outcomes that truly matter to customers. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made. Our customers’ voices help shape everything we do – from the services we deliver to the way we invest in communities. This review of the year reflects that partnership.” Visit the Annual Review 2024–25 here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bromford Flagship is delighted to announce that it has undertaken two new financing transactions this month to fund its strategic ambitions over the years ahead. These comprise the completion of a 25-year, £300m sustainable bond and an extended term loan from NatWest. The bond, which has a 25-year maturity, was met with strong investor demand in the current market conditions and was four times oversubscribed. It was priced at government gilts plus 0.82% producing a coupon and yield of 6.072%, marking the housing association sector’s tightest spread in four years. It’s the first issuance under Bromford Flagship’s recently established Euro Medium Term Note programme and was issued under the group’s Sustainable Finance Framework. Both frameworks were established in June 2025 to create an enhanced route to access the sustainable capital markets to enable the organisation to deliver 2,000 new homes a year over the next 30 years. At the same time Bromford Flagship has finalised a term loan from NatWest which extends the life of facilities previously available to the group. This bilateral loan, along with the £300m bond, has sustainability features and these will allow the group to continue its investment in high-quality, affordable homes in places that enable people to thrive, delivering sustainable outcomes for customers and communities. Bromford Flagship’s Chief Finance Officer Paul Walsh said: “These deals optimise our ongoing debt facilities whilst raising some new funds that support our liquidity. They increase the average life of our outstanding debt and demonstrate our confidence to fund the business for the long term to support our ambition to be one of the largest builders of much needed social and affordable homes in the UK. “This is an important milestone which will allow us to move forward with our future financing and development plans and enables us to access the additional £1.9 billion capacity following the creation of Bromford Flagship earlier this year.” Dominic Brindley, Director Financing and Risk Solutions at NatWest, said: “NatWest is delighted to support Bromford Flagship as both arranger of their £1.5bn EMTN programme and an active bookrunner on this £300m debut drawdown. NatWest is committed to playing its part in helping people into safe stable homes and this is reflected in our ambition to lend £7.5bn to the social housing sector.” Bromford Flagship ratings of A2 Stable with Moody’s and A+ Stable with S&P will apply to the bond. The managers on the bond transaction were Barclays Bank PLC, Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc, NatWest Markets Plc and ABN AMRO Bank N.V.. Bromford Flagship’s legal advisers were Devonshires Solicitors LLP and its treasury advisers were Newbridge Advisors LLP. These transactions follow a £75 million private placement that the housing group issued in April. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A transformative project to deliver more than 200 modern apartments has been completed within the regenerated Civic Campus in Hammersmith. The exciting joint venture by housing association A2Dominion and Hammersmith & Fulham Council forms part of a renewal project on King Street, providing hundreds of new homes, commercial units and public spaces for the local community centered around Civic Campus, the regenerated Grade-II listed Town Hall. The ambitious scheme built by Ardmore Construction Group comprises of 204 apartments, with more than 50 percent of the homes classed as genuinely affordable for local residents. The scheme provides a mix of housing types to accommodate a range of living styles, from single occupants, to couples, and families. The one-to-three-bedroom apartments were designed by Rogers, Stirk, Harbour & Partners and delivered by PRC Architects, focusing on open-plan layouts. Low energy appliances, solar panels and a ground source heat pump substantially reduces on-site energy demand and helps to improve the sustainability of the scheme. Each apartment also has its own outside space, including private balconies overlooking the new civic square, and there is also a residents’ roof terrace providing stunning views of the River Thames and Hammersmith Bridge. Chris Ives, Managing Director of Development & Regeneration at A2Dominion, said: “We are delighted to complete the latest phase of homes in this iconic neighbourhood with our partners at Hammersmith & Fulham Council. “The high-quality apartments bring much-needed affordable housing to this area of the capital and we look forward to delivering more homes and community spaces for the people in Hammersmith to enjoy.” The transformative renewal project is centred around the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Hammersmith Town Hall. The vibrant mixed-use Civic Campus incorporates a public plaza, rooftop bar and restaurants, a new four screen cinema, as well as community art and event spaces to celebrate the area’s heritage as an arts and culture hub. The residential offering comprises of 69 affordable rented units managed by A2Dominion Homes Limited, 36 shared ownership units and 99 private units sold by FABRICA by A2Dominion. Silver DCC were appointed as A2Dominion’s Employers’ Agent. For more information on Civic Campus, please visit https://www.civiccampus.london/ For more information about the homes available for sale, please visit http://artisi.london/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landlords are already stepping up to meet the ambitions of the government’s consultation on the new Decent Homes 2 standard, with investment in improvement works up 26% in the last year, according to new data from market-leading procurement specialists Procure Plus. Key features of the proposed Decent Homes 2 standard include: Even though the Decent Homes 2 standard remains under consultation, landlords are already taking proactive steps to futureproof their housing stock, focusing on quality, safety, and long-term condition to improve the lives of tenants. In 2024/25 alone, Procure Plus supported landlords in delivering: By using Procure Plus’ procurement frameworks, these upgrades were achieved at costs significantly below market base rates, enabling landlords to reinvest savings into additional works. For example, market prices in 2024/25 saw kitchens cost £6,700 per unit on average, while Procure Plus secured a base price of £4,026 for its clients. Similarly, bathrooms averaged £4,010 per unit on the market, compared to a Procure Plus base price of £2,794. Landlords are also intensifying their focus on damp and mould programmes, with 6,603 ventilation measures installed and 32,470 properties assessed through condition surveys, helping to better prioritise maintenance and target future improvements more effectively. Procure Plus also revealed that 92% of its Decent Homes work was delivered by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and generating local economic and social value. Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead of Procure Plus, said: “Decent Homes 2 sets out a clear vision, and landlords have already started delivering on it. We’re seeing a strong commitment from the sector to make homes warmer, safer and healthier. “This increase in activity shows how cost-effective, transparent procurement frameworks empower landlords to go further, tackling disrepair, damp, and new regulatory standards while also supporting local businesses and generating lasting social value. “Despite ongoing pressures affecting the supply chain this year, from increased shipping costs to uncertainty around American tariffs, Procure Plus remains confident in providing competitively priced solutions, and we’ll continue working closely with suppliers to ensure stability and value for our clients and the sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, held an event to celebrate the topping out of the final phase of their Leaside Lock development in Bromley-by-Bow, London. The event was attended by The Guinness Partnership’s Kevin Williams, Group Director of Development and Commercial Services who was joined by Chris Wallace, Construction Director and Ian Russell, Project Director, both from the appointed contractors Lovell Partnerships, and other members and partners of Guinness’s development team. Leaside Lock is a development consisting of 965 homes in total, which have been completed over three phases, with this third and final phase consisting of 321 homes, 135 of which will be affordable rent. The homes will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments along with six, three bedroom town houses. The homes at Leaside Lock have been designed with sustainability in mind, with photovoltaic panels providing affordable and sustainable energy for communal areas, which alongside the combined heat and power system, enables increased energy efficiency and reduced monthly outgoings. The development offers amenities for residents which include an on-site gym, a convenience store, café, concierge, residential roof terraces, games room, communal workspaces and bike storage. There will also be 40,000 sq ft of commercial space and a new urban square and park. The homes are being delivered with the support of funding from the Mayor of London, under a GLA Strategic Partnership agreement. Kevin Williams, Group Director of Development & Commercial Services at The Guinness Partnership said: “The topping out of the final phase at Leaside Lock is a significant milestone in bringing more new high-quality affordable homes to East London. We would like to thank the contractors Lovell Partnerships, Greater London Authority, the council, and other partners who have helped to deliver these homes for the capital.” Lorraine Casey, Regional Managing Director – London at Lovell Partnerships said: “Lovell is absolutely delighted to share in the achievement of this significant milestone with Guinness. The fantastic progress made by the site team to reach ‘topping out’ has only been possible through genuine collaboration and partnership. We are immensely proud of our efforts in working with Guinness to deliver the high-quality affordable homes that the community deserves, and of the training and employment opportunities that we are also providing to genuinely change lives.” Phase 1 began in April 2019 and residents began moving into Phase 1 homes in February 2022. Phase 2 started March 2021 and completed in May 2024. Residents began moving into Phase 2 homes in June 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cordale Housing Association, a subsidiary of Caledonia Housing Association, has officially completed a significant housing development at Dalquhurn Lane in Renton, delivering 25 high-quality new homes for the local community. A handover ceremony to mark the completion of the £5.4 million development was held on site, with new tenants Angela McKenzie and Lynda Mitchell alongside Jackie Baillie MSP, and representatives from West Dunbartonshire Council. Construction began in October 2024, with AS Homes delivering the development, which includes 15 two-bedroom homes, eight three-bedroom homes, and two four-bedroom homes. Supported by over £2.6 million in Scottish Government grant funding, these properties provide much-needed, energy-efficient and sustainable homes for families in the area. Julie Cosgrove, Chief Executive of Caledonia Housing Association, added: “We are pleased to support Cordale Housing Association in bringing new affordable homes to the Renton community. This is a development we committed to making happen a number of years ago and are delighted to welcome tenants to their new homes today. As ever, partnership working has helped deliver this and it’s important to express our gratitude and celebrate our achievements together with West Dunbartonshire Council and the Scottish Government. We have not yet completed the regeneration of this site, and I look forward to working with West Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish Government to develop the next phase.” Angela McKenzie, who is moving into one of the new homes, said: “I am thrilled to be moving into my new home. It will make a big difference to me and my family. The standard of the home is excellent, and I want to thank everyone at Caledonia and Cordale. I’m pleased to be able to downsize from my existing home which allows a family to move in to make new memories.” Lynda Mitchell, who has just received the keys to her new family home, said: “It is good for me and my kids to move to a larger family home within the same area. I am really pleased with the quality of the housing development and cannot wait to move in and start afresh.” Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, said: “The completion of the Dalquhurn Lane development in Renton marks a significant milestone for Cordale Housing Association and West Dunbartonshire Council. This project has delivered 25 high-quality, energy-efficient social rented homes, supported by £2.6 million from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Everyone deserves a safe and warm home, and these properties will serve the local community for generations.” “We have a strong track record in affordable housing. We have supported the delivery of more than 139,000 affordable homes since 2007, with more than 99,000 of those being for social rent. We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032. At least 70% of these will be for social rent and 10% in our rural and island communities, backed by £768 million of investment in 2025-26.” Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I am absolutely delighted that these much-needed new homes are now available for local people. There is massive demand for high-quality affordable homes in our communities and a huge waiting list for properties. These fantastic new homes, delivered by Caledonia Housing Association, will go some way to helping provide this vital housing supply.” Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “I am delighted that tenants have begun to settle in their new homes in Renton. “Sustainable, affordable homes are much needed and with the Council’s ambitious house building programme alongside developments through partner housing associations like Caledonia, we are delivering for our residents.” Paul Kelly, Managing Director of AS Homes Scotland, said: “This development is a strong example of how government, local councils, housing associations and builders can work together to deliver sustainable, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of families for generations to come. We’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Caledonia Housing Association on several projects across Scotland, creating high-quality homes and helping to build stronger communities. We wish all the families moving into this development the very best as they settle into their new homes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, held an event to celebrate topping out at their Northolt Road development in Harrow, North London - a development which will provide 191 new affordable homes. The event was attended by The Guinness Partnership’s Group Chief Executive Catriona Simons, who was joined by Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, and the London Borough of Harrow’s Mayor, Cllr Anjana Patel. They were also joined by London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, Krupesh Hirani; Roxeth ward Councillor Jerry Miles; the Borough’s Chief Planning Officer Viv Evans along with members of his team; Managing Director Ben Searle from the appointed contractors, Howarth Contractors Ltd; Guinness’s Group Director of Development & Commercial Services Kevin Williams and other members and partners of Guinness’s development team. The development consists of 123 shared ownership and 68 London Affordable Rent homes – a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments, close to the underground station and just one mile south of central Harrow, with its amenities, shops and overground station. The homes are being delivered with the support of funding from the Mayor of London, under a GLA Strategic Partnership agreement. Catriona Simons, Group Chief Executive at The Guinness Partnership said: “The topping out at Northolt Road is an important step towards delivery of our 191 new, high-quality affordable homes in Harrow that will make a real difference to people’s lives. We are grateful for the significant investment by the Mayor of London, and for the continued support from Harrow Council, and Howarth Contractors Ltd, who we are working with to build these new affordable homes in northwest London – and of course our teams on site who are making it happen.” Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, said: “City Hall has invested more than £15m in this all-affordable new development and I am delighted to see The Guinness Partnership move closer to delivering the high-quality homes that Londoners urgently need at prices they can genuinely afford. The Mayor and I will continue working with boroughs and housing providers across London to support good growth like this as we build a fairer, better London for everyone.” Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning & Regeneration said: “The council is focused on providing high-quality new homes to meet the needs of our residents, as well as the growing demand for housing in Harrow. The topping out ceremony represents a key milestone in the delivery of 191 much needed, new and high-quality homes for South Harrow. Our regeneration plans for Harrow are ambitious and we welcome the contribution The Guinness Partnership and Howarth are making to those plans.” Ben Searle, Managing Director at Howarth Contractors said: “We are thrilled to be working with The Guinness Partnership on this all-affordable development and reaching this significant milestone in the construction. It’s a proud moment to mark the topping out at Northolt Road, Harrow and continue this journey of providing 191 much needed homes for the residents in the London Borough of Harrow. We are now looking forward to handing over the first homes for occupation in Spring 2026.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
