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Mount Anvil JV secures approval for Isle of Dogs estate rebuild

Mount Anvil and social landlord Riverside have won planning for a 411-home rebuild of the Tiller Road Estate on the Isle of Dogs in East London.

 

Tower Hamlets’ approval clears the way for a full rebuild delivering 137 affordable homes with the balance made up of a mix of private, and shared ownership homes.

Designed by PRP Architects, three existing blocks of 72 homes will be replaced with two towers of 21 and 25 storeys and two mid-rise blocks of 6 and 9 storeys.

The scheme includes a courtyard play area, a community garden and two new indoor community hubs

Tiller Road is the latest project in the expanding Riverside–Mount Anvil partnership, which also includes Bellamy Close and Byng Street, Friars Close in Southwark, and 262 affordable homes at Royal Eden Docks.

Marcus Bate, partnerships, planning, communities and sustainability director at Mount Anvil, said: “With this planning success, we have over 1,000 homes under development with our joint venture partners Riverside across four London sites.

“The transformation of the Tiller Road Estate is going to deliver long-lasting positive impact for residents.”

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No-fault evictions to be banned in England from May 2026

Source: BBC.co.uk

No-fault evictions will be outlawed in England from 1 May, the government confirmed, as it set out the timeline for sweeping renters’ reforms.

The changes also see the end of fixed-term tenancy contracts, as renters move onto so-called “rolling” agreements, as well as an end to “bidding wars” and clearer rules on having pets.

Landlords have said the reforms would increase the screening of prospective tenants and have spoken of nervousness around what happens when tenancies go wrong.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the government was “calling time” on “rogue landlords” by initiating a raft of measures in the Renters’ Rights Act.

“We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in – so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act,” he added.

Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said the reforms “will drive landlords from the market, reduce supply and send prices up for tenants”.

He said that, “with a start date of May 2026, we are now set for a six-month fire sale with tenants forced out at short notice”.

Approximately 4.4 million households in England rented from a private landlord between 2021 to 2023. The new rules will affect more than 11 million people.

The Renters’ Rights Act – described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years – was formally approved at the end of October.

While many renters welcomed the introduction of the timeline, some landlords expressed concern about the speed of the changes.

Deadline to implement changes is ‘not enough’

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said the deadline alone to implement the changes is “not enough”.

He added: “We have argued consistently that landlords and property businesses need at least six months from the publication of regulations to ensure the sector is properly prepared for the biggest changes it has faced for over 40 years.”

From May, properties will be rented on a “periodic” or rolling basis, rather than under a fixed 12 or 24-month contract.

Tenants who want to leave can give two months’ notice, which the government says will prevent tenants paying rent for substandard properties.

Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants for complaining about poor conditions.

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Landsec pushes back starts on four major housing schemes to 2027

Developer Landsec has pushed back the start dates for four huge residential schemes capable of delivering 9,000 homes as viability pressures continue to choke new build activity.

 

Landsec has planning for an initial 879 homes at the Manchester Mayfield regeneration project
Landsec has planning for an initial 879 homes at the Manchester Mayfield regeneration project

 

The developer now expects first starts in 2027 on major projects at Mayfield in Manchester, Lewisham in south-east London, Finchley Road in north London and MediaCity in Salford.

Landsec said that returns were currently not at sufficient levels to justify earlier starts.

In the last six months, the developer has secured a resolution to grant detailed consent for the first 879 homes at Mayfield in Manchester and secured resolution to grant part-outline and part-detailed consent for 2,800 homes in Lewisham.

This adds to the existing consents for 1,800 homes at Finchley Road in North London and an allocation for 2,700 homes at MediaCity in Salford.

But market conditions remain challenging with the firm highlighting the collapse in London housing delivery, where new starts in the first nine months of 2025 fell to just 3,248 – down around 75% over the past three years.

In a trading statment this morning, the developer said: “We could see first starts on site in 2027, taking into account detailed design works, Building Safety Act approvals, and site preparation. However, returns currently are not at sufficient levels.”

It said there were early signs of improvement in development market conditions. These included a “positive” policy shift in London around cutting affordable housing targets from 35% to 20%, halving the Community Infrastructure Levy, and easing design burdens.

Landsec added: “These measures are supportive… and could lead to an improved outlook for residential development returns in 12–18 months, but in the meantime capex spend will be very limited.”

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Ballymore and Sainsbury’s to build new neighbourhood

Ballymore and Sainsbury’s have been granted planning for a major new canalside neighbourhood in Ladbroke Grove, west London.

 

 

The 11-year construction programme is estimated to start in 2026 with the first homes delivered in 2030.

Kensal Canalside will contain 2,519 new homes plus two parks and a local high street with new offices, shops, cafes and restaurants – with a reinstated, historic canal basin at its heart.

Plans also include a new flagship 60,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket with car parking underground.

The proposed neighbourhood will transform the 19-acre brownfield site in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – a large proportion of which has been closed off to the public for over 40 years as a former gasworks.

John Mulryan, Group Managing Director, Ballymore, said: “This will be an exemplar project, showing how we can turn a complex, former gasworks into a thriving place full of character delivering over 2,500 much needed new homes.

“Kensal Canalside will bring thousands of jobs, a new high street, leisure spaces – all of which will be game changing not just for the people who’ll move here, but for thousands of residents in the wider community.

“Kensal Canalside demonstrates the partnership approach we are taking to deliver large numbers of high-quality homes across the capital – in this case with Sainsburys.

“The collapse in housing starts in London is a serious threat to our city and the wider country. With our partners and local councils we have a responsibility to build increasing numbers of new homes, and we know that large, under-used brownfield sites like this can make a significant contribution to delivery.”

Patrick Dunne, Chief Property & Procurement Officer, MD Smart Charge, Sainsbury’s, added: “Since 2009 we’ve been working successfully with development partners like Ballymore to redevelop Sainsbury’s sites into new homes and community spaces, while transforming what we offer customers.

“We’re thrilled that the Council has granted us permission to build on this track record and deliver a groundbreaking new development for Ladbroke Grove.”

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Land deal paves way for £3.9bn Hertfordshire data campus

Data centre developer DC01UK has sold its South Mimms site in Hertfordshire to global operator Equinix in one of the largest UK infrastructure and real estate deals in recent years.

 

South Mimms site to be built out with three major data centre builds
South Mimms site to be built out with three major data centre builds

 

The sale paves the way for a £3.9bn investment to build one of Europe’s biggest and most advanced data campuses, consisting of three big builds.

Covering 85 acres off the M25, the vast site now rebranded by Equinix as the Hertfordshire Campus will deliver more than two million square feet of data centre space to support the surging demand for cloud and AI services.

The deal marks a major milestone for the UK’s fast-growing data infrastructure sector following the government’s move to classify data centres as Critical National Infrastructure last year,  a decision influenced by the scale of the DC01UK project.

James Craig, director of DC01UK, said: “This is a landmark moment for the UK and a powerful example of local entrepreneurship driving national innovation.”

He added: “We’re proud to see our vision taken forward by a global leader committed to delivering it to the highest standards.”

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£250m Beckton clean-up to pave way for 2,900 new homes

Berkeley Group has got the thumbs up to invest £250m into the massive clean-up of the old Beckton gasworks site in East London ahead of building the first tranche of 2,900 homes.

Its St William business has secured full planning from Newham Council for a comprehensive package of enabling and remediation works, which are essential ahead of the vast Beckton Riverside residential development.

The first phase of early works will cover 30 acres of derelict former gasworks land, out of use since the 1960s.

Dean Summers, managing director of St James & St William, said: “This marks a significant step forward for this complex, long-term regeneration site.

“There is still a long way to go to bring this project into delivery, and we continue to work closely with the council, GLA, Homes England, and local stakeholders to develop a viable scheme that unlocks the site’s enormous potential.

“Berkeley Group is ready to invest over £250m in the first phase to remediate the 30-acre site, strengthen flood defences, upgrade local infrastructure, and begin creating a sustainable new neighbourhood in East London.”

He added: “The result of this partnership would include 2,900 homes, high-quality community facilities, a riverside park, and a network of welcoming public spaces, including a new stretch of Thames riverside that has been fenced off for generations.

“Unlocking this key site would also be the catalyst for further investment in the surrounding opportunity area and strengthen the case for the DLR extension to Beckton and Thamesmead.”

Construction could begin in 2028 with first homes due in 2030.

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Plans go in for 54-storey Docklands tower

Plans have been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council for a 54-storey tower in West India Quay South next to Canary Wharf.

 

 

Areli Developments is behind the 77 Marsh Wall scheme containing 820 residential units designed by architecture practice Patel Taylor.

The residential-led scheme will include 238 homes for flexible living, 195 for Build to Rent and 266 for apart-hotel, allowing tenants to stay for any length of time.

The scheme will also feature 7,000 sq ft of commercial and community space for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Rob Tincknell, Founder and CEO at Areli Developments said: “Our vision for 77 Marsh Wall was to create a place that naturally encourages people to come together, regardless of how long they choose to stay or the type of home they live in.

“By providing multiple tenures within a single development, we are bringing together people across various stages of life to connect, share experiences and feel part of a wider community.”

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£350m London Bridge science centre approved

Developers Oxford Properties and Reef + Partners have gained planning consent for a 360,000 sq ft life sciences hub near London Bridge in the Capital.

 

Snowsfields Quarter will comprise three towers of up to 16 storeys beside London Bridge station
Snowsfields Quarter will comprise three towers of up to 16 storeys beside London Bridge station

 

The £350m Snowsfields Quarter scheme being developed in partnership with Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation is designed by Allies and Morrison and DSDHA.

The strip site will comprise three new buildings containing 245,000 sq ft of specialist labs facilities as well as community, including exhibition and training facilities.

Under present plans, site clearance will take place next year, with construction starting in 2027.

Emma Kowsari, director of asset management, sustainability and development at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, said: “This is a key milestone in realising our shared vision of creating a new life sciences hub and supporting better health outcomes for our local and global communities.

“Our proposals will make a positive contribution to the London Growth Plan creating spaces for research and development, attracting the best companies and talent and cultivating a thriving ecosystem to inspire Southwark’s next generation of scientists.”

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Go-ahead for £1.7bn Lewisham town centre overhaul

Developer Landsec has got the planning green light to redevelop 1970s-built Lewisham shopping centre in south London into a new town centre district around an urban meadow.

 

 

The £1.7bn masterplan will deliver over 1,700 new homes alongside 660 student rooms, 445 co-living beds and a reimagined retail offer matching today’s floor space.

Demolition of the current shopping centre and the construction of the new one will start in 2026 to be delivered in phases over around 10 years.

Approved by Lewisham Council last night, the project will also bring back the much-loved Model Market in a permanent new home, and add a 500-capacity culture and music venue to reignite the borough’s night-time economy.

The new district will be built around eight-acres of green space and public realm, including an urban meadow above a central podium building connecting much of the wider scheme consisting of around 14 major building projects.

Landsec’s masterplan, designed by SEW, includes a detailed application for the first two residential buildings, designed by Mae Architects, Studio MULTI and Archio.

Mike Hood, COO at Landsec, said: “This is an exciting moment for the future of Lewisham’s town centre. These plans provide much-needed homes, community spaces and facilities that will enhance urban life for generations, while delivering sustainable returns that support our ambition for long-term growth.”

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Date confirmed for final stage of Renters’ Rights Bill

The Renters’ Rights Bill is scheduled to return to the House of Lords on 22 October for final approval before it is set to become law.

It has now concluded the ‘ping pong’ phase – a process in which the Lords and Commons exchange the bill back and forth to resolve any remaining disagreements on amendments.

While peers did put forward further changes, it has now been confirmed that no major amendments will be adopted at this stage, especially after the government previously rejected all proposed revisions from the Lords.

Royal Assent – the formal step required for the bill to become law – is likely to be granted within the next few weeks.

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