Housing

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 birmingham council infestation mice rodents flats housing pestcontrol abatement tenants

Birmingham City Council has been found guilty of failing to manage serious mice infestations in two separate council flats. Magistrates described the conditions as “disgusting” and issued abatement orders … Read More

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 birmingham housing fraud benefits accommodation council landlords tenants regulation investigation

Birmingham City Council faces serious allegations over its handling of housing benefits in the controversial “supported exempt accommodation” sector. Councillors accuse the council’s housing benefits team of being … Read More

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 kingshurst regeneration westmidlands investment solihull infrastructure housing development deadline community

Investment leaders have emphasized the need for stricter and more efficient delivery of major projects in the West Midlands to guarantee they meet their deadlines. The West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) … Read More

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 rentcontrol costofliving renters landlords andyburnham labour housing economicpolicy rentfreeze england

Andy Burnham, the new Labour Party leader, has indicated that rent controls are under serious consideration as a means to ease financial pressures facing renters in England. Speaking shortly after becoming Prime Minister, … Read More

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 birmingham rackhams development regeneration spheregroup houseoffraser planning urbanrenewal housing officespace

For over 160 years, the Rackhams building has stood as a prominent landmark in Birmingham city centre. Following the closure of House of Fraser on June 25, 2026, a new chapter is set to begin for this historic site. … Read More

Monday, July 20, 2026 birmingham housing council socialhousing andyburnham crisis regulation coalition exempthousing localgovernment

Birmingham’s recently formed council leadership has made two urgent requests to the incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, centered on addressing the city’s escalating housing crisis. Council leader Roger Harmer … Read More

Monday, July 20, 2026 westmidlands housing urbanextension berkswell railway development primaryschool infrastructure community open-space

Plans have been unveiled for a major new neighbourhood in the West Midlands, featuring 970 new homes. This significant urban extension aims to address the growing housing demand in the region while enhancing community … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 walsall library development biodiversity housing planning environment biodiversitygain roadsafety council

Walsall Council has turned down plans to convert the long-closed Walsall Wood Library into residential apartments. The library, located on Coppice Road, has remained shut since 2017 and was auctioned by the council in 2020 … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 mellsquare holbecheplace solihull regeneration housing parking planning sustainability urbandesign development

Planners have approved detailed plans for more than 200 new homes as part of the Mell Square regeneration project in Solihull, despite ongoing concerns about limited parking provisions. The reserved matters application … Read More

Saturday, July 18, 2026 walsall greenbelt housing localplan development planning consultation pelsall objections homes

Walsall Council is preparing to endorse the release of multiple green belt sites for housing development as part of the latest Walsall Borough Local Plan. On July 22, cabinet members will meet to approve this updated plan, … Read More

Saturday, July 18, 2026 mortgage rates nationwide barclays virginmoney housing borrowers interest lenders uk

Four prominent banks—Nationwide, Barclays, Virgin Money, and the Co-operative Bank—have recently increased their mortgage rates, delivering an unwelcome blow to borrowers across the UK. The new rates took effect Thursday, … Read More

Friday, July 17, 2026 solihull holbecheplace redevelopment housing affordable masterplan habiko muse regeneration community

Solihull Borough Council has approved the second phase of a transformative 1,600-home redevelopment project at Holbeche Place, the site formerly known as Mell Square. This latest phase includes the construction of 228 … Read More

Thursday, July 16, 2026 kingshurst solihull regeneration wmca housing community health investment affordable development

An £8 million funding boost is set to accelerate the transformation of Kingshurst, one of Solihull’s most deprived areas. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Investment Board is being recommended to approve the grant … Read More

Thursday, July 16, 2026 dudley housing consultants safety compliance council regulation tenant firerisk legislation

Dudley Council’s housing department has come under scrutiny for spending close to £1 million on external consultants, but council leaders maintain the investment was essential to guarantee housing safety standards. During the … Read More

Sunday, July 12, 2026 solihull hmo housing planning immigration council article4 licensing localgovernment policy

Solihull councillors have reiterated their dedication to tackling the increasing number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough, amidst a heated debate on immigration and housing. Before the recent local … Read More

Sunday, July 12, 2026 greatbarr greenbelt walsall housing development environment community opposition planning conservation

Residents living adjacent to the proposed 850-home development in Great Barr have voiced strong opposition, describing the plans as “a disgrace.” The proposed housing project would take place on protected green belt land in … Read More

Sunday, July 12, 2026 natwest mtvh housing affordablehousing investment england development sustainability socialhousing regeneration

NatWest has announced a major £250 million investment to support Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) in delivering affordable housing across four key regions in England: London, the South East, East Midlands, and East … Read More

Sunday, July 12, 2026 balsallcommon hs2 housing development solihullcouncil planning homes infrastructure approval community

The future of a major housing development in Balsall Common hangs in the balance as Solihull Council prepares to consider the outline planning application for 970 new homes. This significant project, linked to the HS2 … Read More

Sunday, July 12, 2026 greenbelt housing development conservation walsall community planning opposition traffic environment

Residents living adjacent to a proposed 850-home development in Great Barr, Walsall, have voiced significant concerns over the plans to build on 42 hectares of green belt land. Developer IM Land and Walton Homes recently … Read More

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 lloyds housing prices mortgages affordability market inflation economy buyers interestrates

Lloyds Bank customers woke up to a £518 boost in their property values this July, according to the latest house price index. The average house price now stands at £299,330, up from £298,812 in June—a modest 0.2% increase that … Read More

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 groundrent leasehold housing government labour rentcap property leaseholders reforms consultation

The Labour Party government, under Sir Keir Starmer, has confirmed plans to cap ground rents in England and Wales at £250 per year. This cap is intended as a first step towards eliminating ground rents entirely over the next … Read More

Monday, July 6, 2026 commuter birmingham leamingtonspa property homes commute warwick solihull wolverhampton housing

Leamington Spa has been named the top commuter town for Birmingham, as families compete to secure homes in this sought-after location. Known for its calm, leafy streets and lower crime rates, Leamington Spa offers the perfect … Read More

Saturday, July 4, 2026 planning children olton solihull childcare council permission unlawful housing development

Solihull Council planners have refused an application to convert a seven-bedroom family house on Grange Road, Olton, into a children’s home, ruling the change of use unlawful without full planning permission. The applicant, … Read More

Thursday, July 2, 2026 andyburnham housing rentcontrol socialhousing councilhomes costofliving labourparty landlords righttobuy housingcrisis

Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield and the leading candidate to become the next Labour Prime Minister, is considering sweeping changes to the housing sector to tackle the rising cost of living. Following Sir … Read More