Miller Homes, the UK’s 6th largest housebuilder and largest private housebuilder, has published full-year results for the year ended 31 December 2025, delivering a record year for the business. Performance was driven by the successful integration of St. Modwen Homes, continued investment in land and the expansion of the Group’s multi‑tenure model.  The business achieved significant growth across all key metrics, demonstrating the effectiveness of its long‑term strategy and strengthening its platform for future expansion. Highlights Commenting on the results, Chief Executive, Stewart Lynes, said: “2025 was a milestone year for Miller Homes, and I am delighted to report strong results that reflect the effectiveness of our growth strategy and disciplined operational execution.  “We achieved significant, profitable volume growth despite the macro‑economic backdrop, driven by the successful acquisition of St. Modwen Homes in January and the benefit of sustained organic land investment. “The St. Modwen Homes acquisition introduced a second private brand to our portfolio, providing us with four routes to market, and expanded both our consented and strategic landbanks. Achieving a five-star rating from HBF for the 14th time in 15 years further demonstrates our strong and consistent focus on delivering for our customers. “Looking ahead, following this transformative year, we are well‑positioned to deliver further profitable growth as we progress towards our 7,000 homes target supported by our enlarged landbank and multi‑tenure approach. Externally, we are monitoring the economic effects of the Middle East conflict. Our digital sales and marketing system provides granular lead indicators, which to date show no adverse impact, and we stand ready to respond swiftly should conditions change.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clarion Housing Group and The Hill Group have agreed a deal to deliver 188 new social rent homes in Woolwich as part of the wider redevelopment of Woolwich Leisure Centre in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The homes will be delivered through a Section 106 agreement within a mixed-tenure scheme led by Hill in partnership with the local authority. The wider development will include 557 homes alongside a new leisure centre for the community. Clarion has acquired the social rent units, located in Blocks D and E, ensuring they remain affordable for local residents. The homes will comprise a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments aimed at people on the local housing waiting list. Situated in Woolwich town centre, the scheme benefits from strong transport links, with Woolwich Arsenal DLR and the Elizabeth line station both within walking distance, offering direct access to central London. Residents will also have access to new leisure facilities, as well as nearby shops and amenities. The agreement marks Clarion’s first development in Greenwich, expanding its presence in southeast London. Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “This partnership with The Hill Group will deliver 188 high-quality social rent homes in the heart of Woolwich, helping more people access genuinely affordable housing in a well-connected and vibrant part of London. “We have a strong track record of working with Hill across a number of developments and this agreement reflects the value of long-term partnerships in accelerating the delivery of much-needed affordable homes. “Working alongside Hill and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, we’re pleased to be supporting the wider regeneration of Woolwich town centre while providing homes that will remain affordable for local residents for generations to come.” Cain Peters, Managing Director for Special Projects at The Hill Group, added: “We are delighted to welcome Clarion as our affordable housing partner on this landmark development in Woolwich. Delivering 557 homes in total alongside a brand-new leisure centre is a testament to what can be achieved when housebuilders, housing associations and local authorities work together with a shared purpose. “Clarion is a trusted partner and its commitment to keeping these social rent homes genuinely affordable for local residents for generations to come aligns closely with Hill’s own values. We look forward to starting on site later this year and delivering a development that the whole community can be proud of.” The homes will be built to high sustainability standards and connected to a district heat network powered by air source heat pumps, helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve long-term energy efficiency. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the first homes scheduled for completion in 2029. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

AS the UK prepares for major energy efficiency works under the government’s Warm Homes Plan, refurbishment and retrofit housing specialist Lovell Renew has joined forces with Sustainable Housing Action Partnership (SHAP) to launch the Retrofit Success Guides.  Alongside the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Equans, and with the input of nearly 100 experts and 70 organisations, this invaluable expertise has been distilled into a practical blueprint for housing providers, local authorities and the supply chain.   Moving away from high-level policy, this new eight-part suite of resources has been designed to be a manual for delivery and support the drive towards net zero. This includes community and resident engagement, data use, workforce development, area-based planning, financing, governance and procurement.  Having spent decades on the frontline of retrofit design and delivery, as well as working within long term partnerships in the public sector, the involvement from Lovell was crucial to understanding how to navigate the sector. This includes acknowledging the challenges that often stall retrofit projects and how to overcome them – from resident trust and data integrity to the chronic skills gap and complex financing.   Carl Yale, regional managing director for Lovell Renew Central, said: “After many years, numerous partnerships and thousands of homes made better, safer, warmer, and healthier, we have built up a deep understanding for what this work entails and how critical it is in boosting resident comfort, health and wellbeing. With the Warm Homes Plan on the horizon, the sector is facing an important moment when retrofit needs be front and centre – but it also needs support in understanding best practice and how to ensure successful delivery.   “This will require collaboration and commitment to ensure that projects are done with insight, integrity and always with the residents at heart. We are proud to have been involved in the development of these guides and hope it will help to shape the future of this crucial specialist sector.”  Ellie Horwitch-Smith, chair of SHAP board and assistant director, Route to Net Zero, Birmingham City Council, said: “The Retrofit Success Guides show what’s possible when expertise from across the sector is brought together with a shared ambition to do things better. The guides are founded on the realities of delivery and offer a practical foundation for anyone serious about scaling retrofit with quality, integrity, and real impact for people and place.”  Rob Johnson, head of delivery for Building Retrofit at West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The West Midlands Combined Authority is proud to be at the forefront of driving change in retrofit delivery through devolved funding and local leadership. The Retrofit Success Guides are an essential resource born from collaboration across the sector and grounded in the first-hand experience of those delivering retrofit or experiencing its impact. They represent a shared commitment to innovation, high standards, and putting residents at the heart of every programme.”  Unlike traditional technical papers, the guides are designed for action. They arrive at a time when fuel poverty and energy security are at the top of the national agenda. By making these resources free to access, it removes the barriers to entry for smaller housing providers and local councils who are often left to navigate this alone.   To find out more and download the guides, visit: https://shap.uk.com/retrofit-success/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Buying their first home together was always going to be a milestone moment for Amy Bassi and Ben Thompson – but after nearly two years of saving, planning and living back at home, moving into their new Davidsons property in Little Bowden felt even more special. Amy, 29, and Ben, 28, moved into their Stanbrook at Davidsons at Little Bowden in June last year, marking the end of a long journey to get onto the property ladder. The couple, who met at university, were balancing busy careers in different directions. Amy, originally from Dudley, works in marketing for a babywear company called My 1st Years in Northampton, while Ben, who grew up in Ireland, is a project manager for a web design agency in London. Finding somewhere that worked for both of them was key. Amy said: “We looked at lots of different areas because it had to work for both of us – I needed to be able to drive easily to Northampton, and Ben needed a straightforward train into London. As soon as we came to Market Harborough, it just felt right. It’s such a lovely town, and the station makes it so easy for Ben to get into London in under an hour.” As first-time buyers, the couple were determined to make a smart decision, even if that meant making sacrifices in the short term. They moved in with Amy’s parents for almost two years to build up their deposit. Amy said: “Living back at home in your twenties isn’t for everyone, but we’re so proud of ourselves for doing it. It took us a while to save, but it was completely worth it to be able to buy relatively young and get the house we really wanted.” After viewing a number of new build developments, they felt that Davidsons Homes stood out. Amy said: “We looked at other new builds, but some felt a bit crammed in. With Davidsons, the homes have so much character and space around them. They don’t feel squeezed together, and that was really important to us.” Visiting the show homes proved invaluable in helping them picture their future life there. Amy said: “Seeing the show homes was such a great way to understand how you’d actually live in the space. It made everything feel more real. We knew quite quickly that the Stanbrook 4th Edition was the one for us.” The couple were particularly drawn to the home’s open-plan layout downstairs – and one feature in particular. Amy said: “We really wanted a kitchen island. We love hosting and having people to stay, and the open-plan kitchen and living area is perfect for that. Choosing our kitchen was probably the most exciting day of the whole process.” Reserving their home in October 2024, long before it was actually built, meant a longer wait than some buyers experience – but Amy and Ben said the support from the sales team made all the difference. Amy said: “Because we were living with my parents, we couldn’t pop by regularly to check on progress, but Kelly and Michelle kept us informed every step of the way. We always felt updated and reassured, which made the whole process really smooth.” They were able to personalise their home by selecting fittings and finishes, making it feel like theirs from day one. Eight months on, the couple have fully embraced life in Little Bowden. Their spacious main bedroom and the large, open-plan living area remain firm favourites, along with their south-facing garden. Amy said: “Downstairs is definitely our favourite space. It’s light, open and perfect for having everyone round. We had a huge Halloween party and decorated everywhere, which was so much fun. Our parents come to stay as well, and there’s plenty of room.” Beyond the walls of their new home, they’ve quickly felt part of the local community. Amy said: “Everyone’s so friendly. Neighbours help each other out, even something as simple as taking your bins out if you’re away. There’s a lovely pub within walking distance, and I’ve already found a great nail technician, which is important!” For Amy and Ben, buying their first home wasn’t just about bricks and mortar – it was about creating a base that works for their careers, their social life and their future. Amy said: “It was a big commitment, and saving took time, but we couldn’t be happier. The whole process was smooth, we felt really supported throughout, and now we’ve got a home we absolutely love.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

PUBLIC SERVANTS on the front line of housing delivery have spoken out on the government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, with less than 1% thinking that the goal is achievable with current policy measures. This is according to the latest nationwide survey report and analysis from public sector procurement specialist Pagabo, which reveals insights from respondents representing a broad cross-section of job functions across local government and housing associations. Building 1.5 Million Homes – Is It Achievable? reveals a deep-seated pessimism across the housing sector and a sobering reality for government. Even with significant policy reform, less than one-third believe the target is achievable. When asked if they are satisfied with their organisation’s progress in relation to the delivery of affordable homes compared with the local target since the Labour party entered government last year, only a fraction over one-third of respondents said yes. The report reveals that the most critical factor holding back housing delivery is the lack of sufficient, flexible, and long-term funding. Meanwhile a trio of interconnected issues surrounding land cost, site availability and developer profit expectations present widespread barriers to delivering more homes – with planning restrictions, community opposition and infrastructure constraints also cited as obstacles to overcome. Jonathan Parker, development director at public sector procurement specialist Pagabo, said: “Our new report includes findings that suggest the government’s housebuilding target is more optimistic than realistic, but this is tinged with a clear appetite to be able to deliver more homes. Without a greater understanding of the views and challenges being faced around the country by those tasked with delivery, no changes can be made. Having these insights means that the government and wider delivery collaborators can now come together to find the solutions that breed confidence and progress against local targets – not see them dwindle further. “The structure of traditional contracts involving land sales followed by developer delivery is widely seen as misaligned with public objectives – which is likely feeding that barrier cited around community opposition. This reinforces the need for a more collaborative delivery model in which the public sector and developers share responsibility from the outset to accelerate delivery and maximise public value – but also ensuring that communities are taken on that journey as well in order to truly be involved in shaping their own futures.” Digging deeper into the issue of site availability, the survey revealed a pragmatic stance adopted by housing professionals despite an ideological preference for building on brownfield sites. Faced with the high costs of remediation, the main constraint in bringing forward brownfield land cited by respondents, 54% of those surveyed prioritise a balanced mix of both brownfield and greenbelt sites, while only 3% leant towards prioritising green belt land. The new report also draws attention to the nation’s existing housing stock, identifying a critical and growing tension beyond the headlines dominated by new homes. Results show that for housing associations, which often manage the quality, safety and sustainability of vast property portfolios, refurbishment is a core strategic priority – particularly with the introduction of new legislation like Awaab’s Law in 2025. By contrast, local government bodies viewed refurbishment as secondary to the primary goal of planning and enabling new development. Despite this strategic difference, across the sector there is a strong view that new housing must be supported by corresponding investment in social infrastructure. Respondents see collaboration not as a ‘nice-to-have’, but as a critical component of placemaking. An overwhelming 79% of all respondents view collaboration with other public sector bodies as either essential or important – especially for ensuring new homes are supported by the right physical and social infrastructure. Jonathan continued: “Our report highlights that new housing delivery and existing housing refurbishment cannot be considered in isolation. Success is defined not by numbers alone, but by the creation of thriving places, underpinned by access to healthcare, education, transport and social infrastructure. We’re especially interested in all that the report reveals because we believe that procurement offers a powerful opportunity to make a difference, from the outset of development planning and placemaking through to the legacy that is created. “Since conducting our latest survey, the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill has become law and further changes to the National Planning Policy Framework are under consultation – seeking to move the dial as housing sector professionals desperately seek solutions. Despite what’s been said and done already, an open-minded attitude and collaboration driven approach can make 2026 a year that will be remembered for the right reasons.” Produced by Surveys in Public Sector in partnership with Pagabo, Building 1.5 Million Homes – Is It Achievable? is informed by a survey involving a total of 84 individuals from 69 unique local authorities and housing associations. To read the full report, visit www.pagabo.co.uk/white-paper-research-building-1-5-million-homes-is-it-achievable. The Developer-Led Framework – managed by Pagabo on behalf of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust – promotes early engagement between developers and public sector clients to improve viability, placemaking and delivery. It is the first framework of its kind to provide private sector funding to public sector schemes, for more information visit www.pagabo.co.uk/frameworks/developer-led-framework Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals