Alliance Homes is celebrating a key milestone, with its total number of homes across the West of England now reaching 7,000. The landmark highlights the organisation’s commitment to playing its part in tackling the housing crisis in the region, with an ambition to build 2,000 new affordable homes by 2033.
Plans by housing association Bromford to regenerate two residential streets have been given the go-ahead, paving the way for more affordable homes and a vibrant new community. The regeneration project, which is Bromford’s largest to date, will see the housing association completely regenerate the 72 existing properties in Barrington Close and
Peabody has taken delivery of its first electric micromobility vehicle from Northgate Vehicle Hire, helping cut carbon emissions, noise pollution and promote sustainable ways of getting about. It will halve the time it takes caretakers to travel between homes in the Earls Court area of West London, giving them more
Birmingham-based housing association Midland Heart has announced a £300 million investment to upgrade and modernise its housing stock over the next five years, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and improve living conditions for tenants. The initiative, named the ‘Homes Fit for Modern Living’ programme, will focus on upgrading around 6,000
Hundreds more much-needed homes, including more than 200 for social rent, will be built as part of the regeneration of Wornington Green, after Peabody’s plans for the third and final phase of the project were green-lit by the council. At a meeting last week (Tuesday 4 March), the Royal Borough
Hundreds of much-needed new homes for London have moved a step closer to completion, with the “topping out” of 240 homes on the former St Ann’s Hospital site in South Tottenham. Not-for-profit housing association Peabody and development partner The Hill Group marked the milestone on Friday 28 February, joined by
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
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
An innovative partnership led by a northeast housing association is creating opportunities for people to start their career in construction as an apprentice. Nine roles have already been created through the be:ONE partnership, which was established by believe housing in April 2024 to deliver internal and external improvements to around
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
Alliance Homes is celebrating a key milestone, with its total number of homes across the West of England now reaching 7,000. The landmark highlights the organisation’s commitment to playing its part in tackling the housing crisis in the region, with an ambition to build 2,000 new affordable homes by 2033. To mark the occasion, Alliance Homes’ Service Director for New Homes, Sarah McQuatt, met with one of the housing association’s newest customers, Samantha and David Mildon, who recently moved into a new build home with their daughter Bella and dog Huxley. Their four-bed, end of terrace home is part of the Parish Brook development in Nailsea, which is delivering 51 affordable homes to the area, including 42 for social rent and nine for shared ownership. Alliance Homes’ Service Director for New Homes, Sarah McQuatt (Left) cuts a celebration cake with Samantha and David Mildon. Samantha’s story shows the impact that safe and secure affordable housing can have on families. Before moving to Parish Brook in December 2024, she and her family lived in a privately rented home that felt too small, was expensive to heat and didn’t offer them long-term stability. The new home has given them much-needed space and security, particularly for Bella, who is blind and has autism and epilepsy. Bella Mildon Samantha’s story shows the impact that safe and secure affordable housing can have on families. Before moving to Parish Brook in December 2024, she and her family lived in a privately rented home that felt too small, was expensive to heat and didn’t offer them long-term stability. The new home has given them much-needed space and security, particularly for Bella, who is blind and has autism and epilepsy. Samantha said: “Moving into this house has made such a big difference to our lives – we feel like we’ve won the lottery, and every aspect of our lives has improved. “Before, Bella would have multiple meltdowns a day. Now it’s maybe once a week – and usually triggered by her epilepsy rather than her environment. “The open-plan layout has given Bella more confidence to move around, something she lost after she became blind. We now also have the space for her to receive medical treatments at home and even room for respite carers to stay overnight. Our new home has made us all much calmer, happier, and more confident for the future. This is somewhere we can put down roots and really grow.” Samantha and David Mildon at home with their dog Huxley David explained how the energy-efficiency of the home has also helped with heating bills. “We only need to put the heating on for an hour in the morning, and it stays cosy for the rest of the day.” Sarah McQuatt said: “It’s fantastic to celebrate this milestone and to see first-hand the difference a secure, affordable home can make to a family like Samantha, David and Bella’s. I’m so pleased to see them flourishing in their new home. “At Alliance, we want to do our bit to tackle the housing crisis in our region, and we build around 175 new affordable homes each year. Our ambition to build 2,000 new affordable homes by 2033 will help more local people and families access secure, well-built homes in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans by housing association Bromford to regenerate two residential streets have been given the go-ahead, paving the way for more affordable homes and a vibrant new community. The regeneration project, which is Bromford’s largest to date, will see the housing association completely regenerate the 72 existing properties in Barrington Close and Fairford Close in Kingswood, South Gloucetershire and replace them with 85 new, energy efficient homes. The plans were unanimously approved by South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee at its meeting last week. The existing properties are all two bedroom flats which were built in the mid-20th century using non-traditional building methods and in recent years have experienced issues with damp and draughts and have been expensive for customers to keep warm. Bromford’s plans involve replacing the flats with a mix of energy efficient one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and flats, most of which will be available for social rent. Bromford’s Project Manager Noreen Twomey said: “We’re delighted to have gained planning permission for the regeneration of these two streets. It follows more than two years of consulting with our customers, neighbouring property owners and South Gloucestershire to produce these plans. Our existing properties are no longer of the standard that we want to provide and that our customers expect of us, so we are delighted to have secured permission to replace them with modern, sustainable homes. “We want our customers to thrive in their homes and that’s not possible in old, energy inefficient properties, which is why estate regenerations like this are crucial to solving the housing crisis. Through this regeneration we are not only increasing the number of affordable homes in Kingswood, we are providing a better mix of housing and improved living spaces for our current and future customers.” Bromford worked with Nash Partnership, E G Carter and Infrastruct to produce the plans for the regeneration of the two streets. Commenting on the project’s approval, Paul Miller Sustainability Director and Architect at Nash Partnership, said: “While the site itself faces a number of challenges and constraints, we also feel it has a real opportunity to change for the better. The proposals will provide Bromford’s residents with renewable energy sources integrated into energy-efficient homes, helping to reduce fuel poverty, and the majority have private gardens – a key resident feedback request. We’re pleased the detailed plans have been given unanimous approval by the planning committee, and look forward to progressing the project to the next stage.” Bromford will develop the site in two phases, starting with the demolition of the first of the existing properties, which it aims to begin later this year. Bromford is part of the Bromford Flagship Group, a housing association owning more than 80,000 homes across the West of England, West Midlands and East Anglia. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peabody has taken delivery of its first electric micromobility vehicle from Northgate Vehicle Hire, helping cut carbon emissions, noise pollution and promote sustainable ways of getting about. It will halve the time it takes caretakers to travel between homes in the Earls Court area of West London, giving them more time to keep residents’ communal areas clean and tidy. The bike, officially known as an electric cargo bike, can travel about 25 miles on one charge. It can use bus lanes so will reduce the time caretakers spend waiting in traffic and will be easier to park, particularly when traveling between homes on West Cromwell Road, Earls Court Road and Fulham Road, which are on red routes where parking is very limited. “There are lots of benefits to having a micromobility vehicle like this on our fleet,” said Eugene Brown, Peabody’s Head of Estate Services for Northwest London. “It is kinder to the environment than our traditional vehicles and will make it much easier for caretakers to move between estates with their equipment. By using bus lanes, it can avoid traffic jams and parking will be much easier as caretakers can park it in communal paved and garden areas while they service sites.” Switching its fleet to electric vehicles is one of the pledges of Peabody’s Sustainability Strategy and while vehicle emissions account for only a small part of the Group’s overall carbon footprint, every small change helps. Northgate has supplied the bike to Peabody on a four-year long-term hire contract, which includes battery charging. The cost is roughly half that of the smaller diesel vans Peabody currently uses in London, which emit nearly two tonnes of carbon each a year*. By contrast, an electric cargo bike has no emissions. If successful, the Estate Services team will add more bikes in other neighbourhoods. Peabody is in the process of installing more chargers so caretakers and other colleagues who travel around London can switch to electric vehicles. Melanie Creedy, Northgate’s EV Business Development Manager, said: “Since we launched our electric micromobility proposition in 2024 we have had many fleets like Peabody trial the different types of vehicles that we have on offer. Feedback has been very positive as electric cargo bikes offer numerous benefits over standard vans in urban areas like London where manoeuvrability, restricted parking and emission reduction are big considerations for operators. “We look forward to supporting Peabody as it continues to grow its electric fleet.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham-based housing association Midland Heart has announced a £300 million investment to upgrade and modernise its housing stock over the next five years, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and improve living conditions for tenants. The initiative, named the ‘Homes Fit for Modern Living’ programme, will focus on upgrading around 6,000 homes. A significant 75% of these—approximately 4,500 properties—were built before the Second World War and are considered the least energy-efficient within Midland Heart’s portfolio. The project aims to make these homes more affordable to maintain, enhance thermal comfort, and help combat fuel poverty. The association is targeting an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C for all upgraded properties. This investment is a key part of Midland Heart’s corporate plan to 2030, which has been shaped in collaboration with tenants. The plan also includes delivering 2,250 new affordable homes by the end of the decade, which would bring the total number of properties under its management to around 6,000. In addition to modernisation, Midland Heart is set to halve the time required to complete repairs, reducing it from 28 days to just 14. This will be achieved through a strengthened in-house maintenance team, a reliable supply chain, and strong partnerships with top-tier contractors. Chief executive Glenn Harris commented:“After spending the past few years simplifying our organisation and refocusing on our core social purpose as a landlord, I am confident that we now fully understand the priorities of our tenants and have the financial resilience to address them. “Tenants at Heart is our promise to put residents at the centre of everything we do over the next five years. We will empower our colleagues to make decisions on behalf of tenants, invest in their homes like never before, and build new homes to ensure more people in our region have access to quality, affordable housing.” As part of its long-term strategy, Midland Heart also plans to streamline its property portfolio through strategic disposals, ensuring all homes remain fit for purpose and deliver value for money. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hundreds more much-needed homes, including more than 200 for social rent, will be built as part of the regeneration of Wornington Green, after Peabody’s plans for the third and final phase of the project were green-lit by the council. At a meeting last week (Tuesday 4 March), the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s planning committee gave permission for up to 370 more homes. Up to 208 will be for social rent, helping those on the council’s housing waiting list as well as providing new homes for existing residents. The council also granted permission for the much-anticipated new community centre, adventure playground and the final phase of Athlone Gardens. Peabody has been speaking to those who use the existing community centre as well as the council and wider community to ensure the design meets the requirements of the local neighbourhood and residents of all ages. The centre will be bigger than existing centre and accessible from Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove, helping to bring these communities together. The final phase of the project will also see further enhancements to green spaces, including the completion of Athlone Gardens, and better connectivity for pedestrians. There will also be improvements to roads, a new neighbourhood square and courtyard, an outdoor area for markets and other community events, and more commercial spaces. James McMylor, Regional Managing Director for Development for Peabody, said: “This project will ultimately provide around 1,000 much-needed new homes for people of the Royal Borough, more than half of which are affordable, as well as a new space for community events and activities. So, we’re pleased to have the council’s backing for this final phase and we hope to make quick progress on delivering this final phase. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their views on our plans and helped to shape the future of the neighbourhood.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hundreds of much-needed new homes for London have moved a step closer to completion, with the “topping out” of 240 homes on the former St Ann’s Hospital site in South Tottenham. Not-for-profit housing association Peabody and development partner The Hill Group marked the milestone on Friday 28 February, joined by Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, and representatives from the London Borough of Haringey including its leader Councillor Peray Ahmet. The first homes are expected to be completed this summer, with the final development finished in 2031. The project is set to deliver up to 995 homes overall, with 60 percent affordable. The first phase, currently under construction, will provide 240 homes, including 94 affordable, along with new green spaces and commercial premises. The homes will be built around a larger Peace Garden, which is being restored and tripled in size to increase biodiversity. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew is helping with the transformation. The new neighbourhood, which will be known as North Gate Park, will also feature a children’s play area, electric vehicle charging points, and cycle routes to Harringay Green Lanes station. Seven historic hospital buildings, including the iconic water tower, will be preserved and converted into workspaces and commercial spaces. The project won a Housing Design Award in 2024 for its masterplan. Peabody was appointed by the Mayor of London in 2023 to redevelop the site. In addition to more homes, future phases are set to include a convenience store. James McMylor, Regional Managing Director for Development in London North for Peabody, said: “North Gate Park is a fantastic example of how regeneration can deliver much-needed homes while creating lasting benefits for the whole community. This development not only provides affordable and high-quality homes but also revitalises a historic site, with new amenities and green spaces that will serve local people for generations to come. We look forward to welcoming new residents from later in the year.” Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said: “North Gate Park is a fantastic example of how we can create much-needed new homes while celebrating and preserving the rich history of London’s neighbourhoods. This impressive development will deliver nearly 1,000 new, high-quality homes – 60 per cent of which are genuinely affordable – and a range of amenities, making it a truly inclusive place to live. I look forward to seeing North Gate Park come to life as a thriving new neighbourhood in north London, helping to build a better, fairer London for all.” Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: “Sustainability, heritage and community are at the heart of North Gate Park, blending contemporary homes with beautifully restored historic architecture, green spaces, and outstanding community amenities. Celebrating this topping out ceremony alongside our partner Peabody provides a moment to reflect on how proud we are to be delivering not only much-needed housing but an outstanding new neighbourhood.” Cllr Sarah Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “We are very happy to celebrate this milestone, which marks significant progress in the delivery of this important redevelopment project. “This thriving new neighbourhood will deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes, 154 of which will be owned by the council, alongside facilities that provide lasting benefits for the whole community. “These high quality, energy efficient homes for local people are set in a landscape-led masterplan with hundreds of new trees and enhanced spaces, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to see the transformation of the site first hand. “We are on track to deliver 3,000 new council homes by 2031, built to the very best environmental and design standards, with work already completed or started on more than 2,000.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
An innovative partnership led by a northeast housing association is creating opportunities for people to start their career in construction as an apprentice. Nine roles have already been created through the be:ONE partnership, which was established by believe housing in April 2024 to deliver internal and external improvements to around 5,600 of its homes over a four-year period. The not-for-profit landlord and contractors Buston & Maughan, RE:GEN Group, Sendrig Construction Limited and Sunter Limited made a series of commitments as part of the contract. One key aim is to boost the local economy and employment, by creating new jobs and apprenticeships and supporting business growth. And in the first year, all the partners have hired new apprentices to work on the contract. Buston & Maughan recently took on Brooke Hawes as an electrical apprentice, Robert Kirsopp is an apprentice joiner with Sendrig, and property maintenance trainee Scott Hutchinson is gaining a wide range of experience with Sunters. RE:GEN has six apprentices working on the contract; apprentice site manager Joseph Quigley, apprentice quantity surveyors Luke Bell, Joe Freeman, Ben Turnbull and Charlotte Kendal, and apprentice joiner Jack Robinson. David Taylor, Assistant Director of Major Works at believe housing, said: “be:ONE is not only about improving the homes of thousands of our customers but also ensuring the benefits of our investment reach the wider community. “I’m delighted for the apprentices who have secured roles with our be:ONE partners and hope they all go on to enjoy successful and fulfilling careers. “It is always good to see new people joining the social housing and construction sectors, boosting the workforce needed to build and maintain homes and support the growth of the UK and regional economy.” Jonathan Horner, Managing Director at RE:GEN North East, said: “We are a purpose-driven organisation focused on enhancing lives through safe, sustainable social housing regeneration. “Our work goes beyond just improving homes; it extends to creating jobs and training opportunities that benefit individuals and communities. “Being part of the be:ONE partnership and receiving long-term investment from believe housing gives us the confidence to create valuable apprenticeship roles, which are essential for the future growth of the housing and construction sectors. “The benefits of true partnership working are clear and it’s great to see so many people gaining from it.” The be:ONE partnership was created with support from procurement experts, Prosper. The partners also collaborate to improve customer experience, achieve significant savings, and maximise the impact of social value in communities. And they work together to cut carbon emissions, reduce waste, and increase recycling. 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
