Liverpool’s ambitious waterfront regeneration plans have taken a significant step forward after the city council approved legal agreements with Urban Splash and igloo, paving the way for the transformation of the former International Garden Festival site into a major new residential neighbourhood. The development partnership is progressing plans to deliver approximately 800 homes across the 27-acre Festival Gardens site, with around 440 properties proposed for the first phase of construction. The agreement represents a major milestone for one of Liverpool’s most prominent regeneration opportunities, bringing the prospect of residential development closer following years of challenges surrounding the site’s redevelopment. Urban Splash and igloo were selected as preferred development partners in August 2025, securing the opportunity ahead of competing proposals from Muse, Vistry and CERT Property. With the legal agreements now approved, the developers will advance detailed design work and community consultation ahead of submitting a planning application by the end of 2027. The proposals will seek to establish a diverse residential community, offering a broad range of housing types and tenures designed to accommodate different household requirements and stages of life. More than 30 house types are being considered, including social rented accommodation, traditional family housing, retirement living and opportunities for self-build homes. This mixed-tenure approach is intended to create a varied residential environment rather than a conventional single-format housing development, reflecting the growing emphasis on inclusive neighbourhood planning and long-term community development. A consortium of delivery partners will support the regeneration, with Urban Splash and igloo undertaking elements of the construction programme themselves alongside housing and development organisations including Alpha Living, Regenda Homes, TOWN and Starship. Six architectural practices are involved in shaping the proposals, bringing together different design approaches to establish a distinctive new neighbourhood within the waterfront setting. The development will follow a substantial programme of site preparation and environmental remediation, which has already addressed one of the principal barriers to bringing Festival Gardens back into productive use. Vinci previously undertook a £53 million remediation programme to tackle contamination across the former International Garden Festival site, preparing the land for future redevelopment. The extensive clean-up was an essential enabling stage, overcoming environmental constraints that had complicated earlier proposals and delayed progress on the site. Liverpool City Council originally acquired Festival Gardens for £6 million in 2015, with the intention of securing its long-term regeneration. Previous development ambitions had envisaged the construction of up to 1,500 homes, although the scale of the proposals has subsequently been reduced to approximately 800 properties under the current development strategy. The revised approach places greater emphasis on a varied residential offer, with different housing types and development partners contributing to the overall scheme. Jonathan Falkingham, Co-founder of Urban Splash, welcomed the latest milestone and highlighted the combined experience of the two development organisations. “With Urban Splash and igloo working in partnership, we’re combining decades of experience to turn this large-scale regeneration project into a community Liverpool can be proud of,” he said. The Festival Gardens project represents another important opportunity for Liverpool to unlock previously developed land for new housing while strengthening the relationship between the city’s residential neighbourhoods and its waterfront. For the construction and development sectors, the scheme also demonstrates the importance of major remediation investment, coordinated masterplanning and partnerships between local authorities, private developers and housing providers in bringing complex regeneration sites forward. The involvement of multiple architects and delivery partners is expected to contribute to the development of a varied housing offer, while the phased construction strategy will allow the neighbourhood to emerge progressively as individual elements receive approval. The next stage will see Urban Splash and igloo intensify design development and consultation, working towards the submission of a formal planning application before the end of 2027. Subject to securing the necessary consents, construction will then proceed in phases, beginning the transformation of the former festival site into a new residential destination. With legal agreements now approved and the major remediation works completed, Festival Gardens is moving closer to realising its potential as one of Liverpool’s significant new housing and waterfront regeneration schemes, bringing hundreds of homes to a site that has remained a longstanding development opportunity for the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Major demolition works have commenced in Bradford city centre as plans to transform two former shopping centres into a new residential and mixed-use neighbourhood move into the next stage of delivery. Wakefield-based Metropolitan Demolition has begun dismantling the former Oastler Shopping Centre, marking a significant milestone in the ambitious City Village regeneration programme being delivered by Bradford Council in partnership with urban regeneration specialist ECF. The redevelopment will ultimately provide up to 1,000 new homes alongside retail, leisure and community facilities, transforming underutilised city centre land into a new residential neighbourhood designed to support Bradford’s long-term regeneration ambitions. Metropolitan Demolition has been appointed to undertake an extensive eight-month clearance programme at the Oastler site, removing the former shopping centre and surrounding buildings to prepare the land for residential development. The initial works will unlock the first phase of City Village, comprising 97 two and three-bedroom townhouses, with construction currently expected to begin in summer 2027. The demolition programme also includes the Bazaar building and properties at 22–24 Rawson Road, previously occupied by Bradford Brewery. Alongside the Oastler works, Metropolitan Demolition is progressing a separate clearance programme at the former Kirkgate Shopping Centre, another key location within the wider City Village masterplan. A six-month internal strip-out is already underway at Kirkgate, with external demolition scheduled to commence in spring 2027. The removal of the former retail buildings will release further development land, enabling the delivery of hundreds of apartments across two subsequent phases of the regeneration programme. Together, the two sites will play a central role in reshaping Bradford’s urban landscape, replacing ageing retail infrastructure with new housing, commercial opportunities and public spaces. The redevelopment reflects a broader shift in town and city centre regeneration, where former shopping centres and retail assets are increasingly being repurposed to accommodate residential-led mixed-use developments. By introducing a substantial new residential population into central Bradford, City Village aims to support existing businesses, encourage additional investment and create a more active and sustainable urban environment. The enabling works are being supported by the first allocation of funding from £30 million secured through Homes England’s Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has also committed a further £13 million towards the regeneration programme, demonstrating the importance of public sector investment in unlocking major brownfield development opportunities. The funding will help address the challenges associated with preparing complex urban sites for redevelopment, including demolition, land clearance and essential enabling infrastructure. Given the central location of the former shopping centres, careful management of the demolition programme will be essential to maintaining access and minimising disruption to surrounding businesses and public areas. Simon Dew, Managing Director for Yorkshire and the North East, highlighted the scale and complexity of the works. “A demolition programme of this scale in an urban centre is a significant undertaking, but every measure is being put in place to minimise the impact – including maintaining access to local businesses,” he said. The wider professional team supporting City Village includes 5plus Architects, re-form Landscape Architecture, Avison Young, Cushman & Wakefield and Turner & Townsend. Their involvement reflects the multidisciplinary approach required to deliver a regeneration programme combining new residential accommodation, commercial space, landscape design and improvements to the wider urban environment. For Bradford, City Village represents an important opportunity to rebalance its city centre, creating a stronger residential community while introducing new uses to sites previously dominated by traditional retail. The first 97 townhouses will establish the initial residential element of the development, with subsequent phases introducing higher-density apartment accommodation as the former shopping centre sites become available. With demolition now underway at Oastler and preparatory works progressing at Kirkgate, the City Village programme is moving from planning towards physical delivery. The redevelopment is expected to play a significant role in Bradford’s continuing transformation, demonstrating how large-scale brownfield regeneration can create new homes, support economic activity and breathe new life into established city centres. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

German investment giant PATRIZIA has announced plans to commit a further £1 billion to the UK residential market, with the potential to support the delivery of up to 4,000 affordable homes through its newly established UK Essential Living Platform. The major investment commitment represents a significant boost for the UK’s affordable housing sector, with the international real estate investment manager seeking to work alongside regional mayors, local authorities and development partners to accelerate housing delivery in areas facing growing demand. The announcement was made during a visit to Berlin by Andy Burnham, highlighting the increasing importance of international institutional investment in addressing Britain’s housing shortage and supporting regional economic growth. PATRIZIA’s proposed £1 billion commitment will build on approximately £4 billion the company has already invested across the UK, further strengthening its position as a major international investor in British property and infrastructure. The new Essential Living Platform is intended to channel long-term institutional capital into affordable residential development, bringing together private investment and local public sector partnerships to help overcome some of the financial barriers currently affecting housing delivery. A central part of the strategy will involve closer collaboration with metro mayors and regional authorities, identifying opportunities where investment can support new residential schemes and respond to local housing requirements. PATRIZIA has confirmed that a Regional Dialogue meeting will take place next year, providing an opportunity for local leaders and investment partners to explore potential development opportunities and establish how the funding could be deployed. For the UK construction and residential development sectors, the commitment could provide an important source of additional capital at a time when housing associations, developers and local authorities continue to face challenges around construction costs, development viability and the availability of long-term funding. Asoka Wöhrmann, Chief Executive Officer of PATRIZIA, said the company’s discussions had reinforced the significant opportunity presented by the UK’s continuing demand for affordable housing. “Our meeting with the Prime Minister reinforced a clear reality: the UK’s demand for affordable housing is also a significant investment opportunity. “PATRIZIA is already investing in homes across the country, and we see considerable potential to do more. By working with metro mayors and local partners, we can help channel long-term institutional capital into the places where housing is needed most.” Wöhrmann also emphasised that cooperation between public authorities and private investors would be essential to increasing the supply of affordable homes. “Neither public nor private capital can solve this challenge alone, but together we can accelerate delivery and create lasting value for communities across the UK.” Andy Burnham welcomed the investment ambitions and highlighted the importance of strengthening economic partnerships between the UK and Germany, particularly around regional development and job creation. “Growth has to reach every part of the country, not just a few places. Germany has shown what strong regions and local leadership can achieve, and we want to learn from that and share our own experience.” He added that closer cooperation between businesses, regions and cities could create new employment opportunities and deliver lasting economic benefits for both countries. The proposed investment also reflects the growing role of institutional capital in the UK affordable housing market, where long-term investment partnerships are becoming increasingly important in supporting residential development and expanding housing supply. While specific development sites, construction partners and delivery programmes have yet to be announced, the scale of PATRIZIA’s commitment offers the potential to create a substantial pipeline of new affordable housing projects across multiple UK regions. With up to 4,000 homes envisaged, the initiative could generate opportunities for housebuilders, contractors, architects, consultants and the wider construction supply chain as individual projects are identified and brought forward. The next stage will focus on developing regional partnerships and determining how the proposed investment can be translated into deliverable housing schemes, supporting the wider ambition to increase affordable housing supply and stimulate long-term regeneration across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

International real estate advisor Savills reports that more than £900 million was invested in the UK Build to Rent (BTR) sector in the third quarter of 2026, taking year-to-date investment to more than £4 billion – above the level recorded at the same point in any previous year. In each of the past three years, Q4 has accounted for the largest share of annual investment. With a full quarter still to come, 2026 already ranks as the sixth highest year on record, suggesting that the sector is well placed to achieve a new annual investment record. Operational assets continue to attract significant investor interest, highlighted by Border to Coast Pensions Partnership’s acquisition of a portfolio of 866 Single Family Housing (SFH) homes from Leaf Living, which was founded by Blackstone and Regis. With a combined value of c.£400 million, the Savills advised acquisition represented the largest single transaction in the UK SFH sector so far this year. According to the advisor, development funding activity was concentrated outside London, with almost £300 million committed to suburban SFH schemes across five regions in England, highlighting the sector’s growing geographic reach. Royal London also agreed to forward fund 111 houses and 173 apartments in Newton Heath, Manchester, although the funding environment for city centre development remains challenging. Savills research also shows that rental growth was exceptionally strong during the summer. The Renters’ Rights Act came into force in May and has led to an acceleration in rents across England. England’s largest cities recorded stronger rental growth in the three months to August 2026 than their respective historic averages. Birmingham was the exception, where high levels of rental supply limited landlords’ ability to raise rents. This pattern extended across much of the country, with 72% of English local authorities recording stronger-than-average rental growth during the summer. Guy Whittaker, Head of Build to Rent Research at Savills, comments: “The acceleration in rental growth seen over the summer is likely to reflect a one-off adjustment in rents, rather than a sudden increase in tenant demand. Under the new legislation, landlords can no longer accept offers above the advertised rent. As a result, many have taken the opportunity to rebase asking rents to ensure they reflect prevailing market values.” Piers de Winton, Head of National Residential Investment & Single Family at Savills, adds: “Investment during the first nine months of the year provides encouraging evidence that 2026 could be a record year for the UK Build to Rent sector. Single Family Housing has been a particularly strong driver of activity, with investors continuing to pursue opportunities, underpinned by long term demand for high quality family homes. The growing scale and geographic reach of transactions also demonstrates the increasing maturity of the SFH sector and its ability to support delivery across a broad range of UK markets. “Importantly, this capital is helping to increase the supply of professionally managed homes at a time when demand significantly outpaces availability. Continued investment in the sector will have a vital role to play in delivering the housing urgently required in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Sir Michael Lyons, one of the UK’s leading figures in regeneration and local government, is set to retire at the end of January 2027 after more than 25 years leading ECF, a major national placemaking partnership, having guided the organisation since it was established in 2002. ECF brings together Homes England’s National Housing Bank, L&G and Muse. The partnership works alongside local authorities and combined authorities to create successful communities where people thrive economically, socially and sustainably. Under Sir Michaels leadership, ECF has grown into one of the country’s leading vehicles for large-scale, housing-led regeneration. During that time, ECF has worked with local authorities to support major regeneration in locations such as Liverpool, London, Plymouth, Salford and Wakefield and has overseen a doubling of ECF’s capital base twice over, to £200m in 2018 and £400m in 2024. That capital is now supporting a further wave of delivery, targeting around 17,000 more homes and a further one million square feet of commercial space by 2036, across developments in places like London, Wolverhampton, Hull, St Helens and Bradford. As chair, Sir Michael has played a key role in the regeneration of Salford, which ECF has delivered in partnership with Salford City Council. The £1bn two-decade programme has delivered more than 1,000 mixed-tenure homes and 770,000 sq ft of commercial space across Salford Central, alongside new public spaces. Sir Michael has held a series of senior roles across local and national government during a career spanning more than five decades, including leading a series of influential government reviews. He served as chief executive of Wolverhampton Borough Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Birmingham City Council, and was knighted for services to local government in 2000. His 2004 review of public sector relocation identified scope to move 20,000 civil service posts out of London and the South East, a target the Government went on to exceed. Later, his enquiry into local government introduced the concept of “place-shaping”, arguing that councils should have greater power and responsibility for the economic and social future of their areas, an idea that continues to shape the debate on devolution. He was chair of the BBC from 2007 to 2011, led the Lyons Housing Review on housebuilding 2013/ 2014, chaired a review of Invest Northern Ireland and chaired the Government’s New Towns Taskforce, whose 2025 report recommended 12 locations capable of delivering at least 300,000 new homes. Sir Michael Lyons will remain in post until the end of January 2027, with his successor set to be announced in due course. Sir Michael said: “It has been an enormous privilege to serve as chair of ECF and to have worked alongside three great partners throughout that time. “We have brought together public purpose, long-term investment and delivery expertise and that approach has allowed us to take on challenges that no single organisation could have addressed alone. “Government deserves credit for taking early risks when the partnership was established. At a time when many public-private partnerships were being swept away, ECF survived because we were determined that there should be a return on the public investment. “I have always believed that public investment should create lasting value for places and communities and, even if realised over the very long term, offer the prospect of a commercial return too. This is what we have achieved at ECF. “I step down with great confidence in the partnership to continue driving positive change in towns and cities across the country.” Pat Ritchie CBE, Chair of Homes England, said: “Sir Michael’s leadership, experience and commitment to long-term investment in regeneration have been central to ECF’s success in creating thousands of new homes and thriving places from Wakefield to Plymouth. “He has been a committed champion of partnership and placemaking, and his influence will be felt for many years as ECF continues its long-term regeneration ambitions. He has been hugely valued by us all at Homes England and we wish him a long and happy retirement.” Tom Roberts, Head of Investment & Development at L&G, said: “Sir Michael has been the driving force behind some of the most significant regeneration projects the country has seen over the past few decades. His belief that lasting change requires patience, partnership and a willingness to invest over the long term has shaped ECF’s approach from the very beginning. “Sir Michael has helped demonstrate that successful regeneration is about creating places with enduring economic purpose, where communities can prosper and future growth can be sustained. We are hugely grateful for his leadership and contribution to ECF’s success, and look forward to continuing his lasting legacy. On a personal level, I am honoured to have worked closely with Sir Michael and am grateful for all that I have learned from him” Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said: “The opportunity to work alongside and learn from Sir Michael for near two decades has been an incredible honour and one I am incredibly grateful for. “His leadership has left a real mark on ECF and on the places we’ve worked together in partnership to shape. His experience, judgement and genuine commitment to getting regeneration right have been inspiring. “He has not only played a leading role in spearheading the partnership and its continued progress over the years, but also more broadly influencing the way housing delivery and placemaking is approached up and down the country. “On behalf of Muse, I want to thank him for his contribution and years of service to ECF and wish him the very best in his retirement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London boroughs have identified sites to build over 50,000 new council homes in the capital if sufficient funding is available, analysis reveals. This would represent an almost 15% increase to London’s council housing stock – a significant boost in the face of London’s worsening housing and homelessness pressures[i]. London Councils says the figure demonstrates boroughs’ commitment to building the next generation of council housing across the capital and to working with the government on this agenda.     The cross-party group, which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation, surveyed its members on their submissions to the London Social and Affordable Homes Programme (LSAHP)[ii]. London Councils’ analysis found that: London Councils has welcomed the government’s increased investment in the social and affordable homes programme and the GLA’s confirmation that council-led projects will account for 60% of the homes delivered through the initial LSAHP allocations Boroughs in the capital are proud of their track record in building council homes. The government has itself acknowledged that “London is already showing what can be achieved through fuller devolution when it comes to council housebuilding”, with half of all council homes built in 2024 to 2025 located in the capital. Boroughs are working together  with partners on how best to keep increasing delivery of new council homes, creating good-quality homes and ensuring those homes go to Londoners who need them most. In support of this, London Councils is making the case that further grant funding and other financial measures – including access to low-interest loans – are needed to accelerate progress and maximise delivery of boroughs’ council housebuilding ambitions. Cllr Anthony Okereke, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Homelessness, said: “These figures demonstrate boroughs’ ambitious commitment to building the next generation of council housing across the capital. “London is grappling with the most severe housing and homelessness emergency in the country. Boosting the number of council homes is a key part of tackling this crisis – and London boroughs have a proud track record of delivery in recent years. “Boroughs want to build more. We have identified a pipeline of over 50,000 new council homes we could deliver in the coming years. These are specific development opportunities where we are seeking funding for new council housing. “We have the expertise, we have the vision, we have the determination – we now need the investment to make it happen.” Ahead of the government’s Autumn Budget, London Councils is making the case for additional financial support for council housing, which must sit among a broader sweep of policy reforms tackling housing and homelessness pressures. Policy priorities include: Further targeted grant funding Building on the government’s uplift to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, further grant funding increases would make more council housebuilding projects viable and accelerate delivery. For example, full delivery of the pipeline of over 50,000 potential council homes in London is estimated to cost £12.3 billion. The current LSAHP is worth £11.7 billion and is designed to fund a range of development organisations including housing associations and private developers, as well as local authorities. Reforming nationally set rules on Housing Revenue Accounts (local authorities’ budgets for managing their council housing) Changes should include an urgent reassessment of the 2012 HRA debt settlement, enabling councils to access low-interest lending, and a London Formula Rent reset that would give boroughs extra flexibility in setting social rents to account for the capital’s high property costs. Reforms such as these would strengthen boroughs’ resources for investing in council housing, including building new homes. Additional funding for acquisitions Boosting London boroughs’ ability to buy existing housing is another vital part of the solution to the housing crisis. London boroughs are making good use of the Local Authority Housing Fund and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to fund acquisitions. Boroughs’ acquisitions have unblocked stalled sites, converted market housing into affordable homes, reduced reliance on the private rented sector for finding desperately needed temporary accommodation, and supported London’s wider development sector in a downturn. [i] London Councils’ analysis of homelessness statistics shows that an estimated 210,000 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. This equates to around one in every 50 residents of the capital. London accounts for more than half of all homeless households in England. In addition, more than 330,000 households are on local authority housing registers (commonly known as social housing waiting lists) in the capital.[ii] The Social and Affordable Homes Programme provides government grant funding for new social and affordable housing. In the capital the programme’s funding is managed and distributed by the Greater London Authority. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London’s fast-growing co-living sector could benefit from a clearer route through the planning system under proposals contained within the new draft London Plan, potentially helping developers unlock more purpose-built shared living schemes across the capital. The emerging policy introduces an important change for Large-scale Purpose-built Shared Living (LSPBSL), the planning terminology used for developments commonly known as co-living. Under the proposals, co-living schemes would ordinarily continue through the viability-tested planning route and make a payment towards conventional affordable housing. However, developments providing conventional affordable housing on site at the relevant threshold could instead qualify for the Fast Track Route. For developers, investors and design teams operating in the co-living market, the change could provide another option when structuring schemes and their affordable housing provision. The Fast Track Route is designed to provide greater planning certainty for developments meeting the required affordable housing and other policy criteria, reducing the need for the detailed viability information associated with the viability-tested process. The proposal comes as London continues to explore different housing models capable of responding to demand while making more effective use of constrained urban land. Co-living has emerged as one such model, typically combining private living accommodation with considerably larger communal areas and shared facilities. Developments can incorporate lounges, co-working areas, kitchens and dining spaces, gyms, terraces and landscaped areas, with the buildings generally operated under a single management structure. The draft London Plan places considerable emphasis on the quality of these environments. Proposed policy requires shared living developments to focus on communal living, with internal and external spaces designed to encourage social interaction, alongside functional private living areas. Schemes would also need to be carefully located, designed and managed to complement mixed and inclusive neighbourhoods. Management is another important element. Large-scale shared living developments would be required to operate under single management, supported by a management plan addressing the continued quality and maintenance of the building, security, safety and service arrangements. From a built environment perspective, the proposals could have implications extending beyond planning. Greater certainty around co-living development could create opportunities for architects, contractors, consultants, interior designers, landscape specialists and property management businesses as schemes move from feasibility and planning into construction and long-term operation. Co-living is particularly suited to complex urban regeneration and mixed-use developments where residential accommodation can be combined with commercial uses, active ground floors, amenities and new public realm. The draft policy specifically recognises that purpose-built shared living can form part of mixed-use regeneration and redevelopment schemes where locations are well connected to local services and public transport. The wider draft London Plan was published on 16 July 2026 and remains under consultation until 15 October, meaning the policies are proposals rather than adopted planning requirements. If carried through into the final plan, the new approach could give co-living developers a more defined choice over affordable housing delivery while further establishing purpose-built shared living as part of London’s evolving residential and BTR landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The latest research from House Buyer Bureau has revealed that more than 300,000 homes across England have been sitting empty for at least six months, with the estimated value of this long-term vacant housing stock standing at almost £89bn. House Buyer Bureau analysed the latest available data on the number of vacant homes across England, focusing specifically on those classed as long-term vacant properties, meaning properties liable for council tax that have been empty for more than six months and are not subject to specified exemptions. The research then applied the latest average house price in each region to estimate the potential value of this unused housing stock. The figures show that there are 754,264 vacant homes across England, of which 303,185 are classed as long-term vacant. This means that 40.2% of England’s vacant housing stock has been sitting empty for more than six months. Based on the latest regional average house prices, House Buyer Bureau estimates that these long-term vacant homes represent some £88.6bn worth of residential property currently sitting unused. While increasing the supply of newly built homes remains central to tackling the nation’s housing shortage, House Buyer Bureau says the sheer volume of existing homes sitting empty for prolonged periods highlights another area of housing supply that cannot be ignored. London sitting on almost £26bn of long-term vacant homes London has the highest estimated value of long-term vacant housing stock of any region. There are 47,287 long-term vacant homes across the capital, accounting for 45% of London’s 105,138 vacant properties. With the average London home valued at £544,814, House Buyer Bureau estimates that the capital’s long-term vacant housing stock is worth almost £25.8bn. The South East ranks second by value, where 42,099 long-term vacant homes have an estimated combined value of £16.1bn, followed by the East of England, where 32,123 long-term vacant properties are estimated to be worth £10.9bn. The North West has 42,606 long-term vacant properties with an estimated value of £9.4bn, while the South West’s 28,553 long-term vacant homes are estimated to be worth £8.6bn. Billions in empty homes within individual local authorities At local authority level, some of the most valuable concentrations of long-term vacant housing are found within London. Kensington and Chelsea has 2,030 long-term vacant homes, representing 59.7% of all vacant properties within the borough. Based on the borough’s average house price of £1.256m, this stock has an estimated value of almost £2.55bn. Westminster has 2,279 long-term vacant properties, equivalent to 61.2% of its vacant housing stock, with an estimated combined value of £1.91bn. Camden’s 2,059 long-term vacant homes are worth an estimated £1.66bn, while Southwark has 2,543 with an estimated value of £1.47bn and Lambeth has 2,280 worth an estimated £1.24bn. Outside London, Birmingham stands out, with 7,060 homes having remained vacant for more than six months. Based on the city’s average house price, this equates to an estimated £1.64bn worth of long-term vacant housing. Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, Chris Hodgkinson, commented: “It’s quite remarkable that we’re constantly talking about the need to build hundreds of thousands of additional homes when more than 300,000 existing properties have already been sitting empty for over six months. Of course, there’s no single reason why a property remains vacant and not every empty home can simply be put back into use overnight. But anyone who works within the property market knows how easily a home can become stuck in limbo, whether it requires significant work, forms part of an estate, has legal complications or simply proves difficult to sell. Building more homes remains absolutely essential, but we also need to make better use of the housing stock we already have. Getting even a proportion of these long-term vacant properties back into circulation would provide additional homes without the need to build them from scratch. For owners, the longer a property sits empty, the more of a liability it can become, particularly once maintenance, security and ongoing ownership costs start to mount. Where the conventional sales market isn’t providing a solution, owners may need to take a more pragmatic approach. Accepting a lower price in return for the speed and certainty of a quick sale can sometimes be the difference between a property remaining empty indefinitely and getting it back into use.” Data tables and sources *Vacant and long-term vacant dwelling data sourced from UK Government – Live tables on dwelling stock, including vacants, using the latest 2024-25 data. The Government defines long-term vacant dwellings as properties liable for council tax that have been empty for more than six months, excluding specified exemptions. *Average house price data sourced from the UK Government – UK House Price Index, using the latest available June 2026 data. *Estimated value of long-term vacant housing stock calculated by House Buyer Bureau by applying the latest average house price at regional and local authority level to the number of long-term vacant dwellings. Full data tables can be viewed online here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals