Housing

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 housing greenbelt planning development westmidlands sandwell policy greybelt urbanplanning labour

The UK’s housing shortage remains a pressing issue, leaving many families displaced or stuck in temporary accommodation due to soaring rents and evictions. Local authorities face the difficult challenge of meeting housing … Read More

Monday, December 29, 2025 rowleyregis sandwell housing flats affordablehousing familyhomes development librarysite demolition nhs

A new planning application has been submitted for the construction of affordable flats on the former day centre and library site on Harvest Road, Rowley Regis. SWG Construction, in partnership with Sandwell Council, proposes … Read More

Sunday, December 28, 2025 dudley council petition asylumseekers housing planning environment community publicdebate localgovernment

Residents of Dudley have multiple avenues to voice their concerns, including the ability to start online e-petitions on the council’s official website. Any petition that garners over 3,000 signatures qualifies for a full … Read More

Sunday, December 28, 2025 hmo birmingham planning community objections petitions residents regulations housing mp

“We’ve had enough.” This was the unanimous response from countless Birmingham residents each time a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) application was submitted in their neighborhoods during 2025. Communities rallied … Read More

Saturday, December 27, 2025 solihull planning appeals council inspectorate development housing extensions decisions planninglaw

The year 2025 proved to be a landmark period for Solihull residents who challenged the council’s planning decisions after facing rejection. Throughout the year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service tracked the journeys of … Read More

Saturday, December 27, 2025 homelessness addiction birmingham roughsleeping recovery outreach charity youth housing support

A Birmingham father sleeping rough in the city centre has shared the emotional toll of being separated from his daughter for years. Stu, 43, lived with his ex-partner and their daughter in Kingstanding until late 2018. … Read More

Friday, December 26, 2025 birmingham fiveways edgbaston calthorpe property realestate houseprices conservation housing development

Nestled near the western edge of Birmingham city centre, the Five Ways South and Calthorpe Park area has emerged as Birmingham’s most coveted residential neighbourhood, with house prices soaring by an astonishing 112% over … Read More

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 birmingham foodbank charity community christmas poverty volunteers housing support health

As Christmas Day approaches, hundreds of Birmingham residents from all walks of life have been visiting food banks to secure essential supplies. Among them are the homeless, pensioners, vulnerable individuals, and workers … Read More

Thursday, December 18, 2025 kingshurst regeneration solihull council housing community construction development health planning

Senior Solihull councillors have given their support to the next phase of the ambitious regeneration of Kingshurst village centre, marking a crucial milestone in the project’s progress. The large-scale revitalisation received … Read More

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 santander housing firsttimebuyers ukproperty housingcrisis homeownership affordability housebuilding propertymarket inflation

Santander has revealed a striking trend in the UK housing market: first-time buyers (FTBs) are increasingly older, with one in five now aged over 40—up from 18% in 2024 to 22% in 2025. The oldest first-time buyer supported by … Read More

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 hockleyheath solihull planning flooding greenbelt housing development infrastructure drainage floodrisk

Solihull planners have refused a proposal to build 80 homes in the village of Hockley Heath, responding to significant flooding concerns raised by local residents. The Roscon Group had sought outline planning permission to … Read More

Monday, December 15, 2025 housing greenbelt planning solihull shirley development infrastructure community council construction

A major housing development proposal to build around 1,200 homes on green belt land in Shirley has been approved by Solihull Council’s planning committee, despite concerns from local residents and councillors. The double … Read More

Sunday, December 14, 2025 walsall greenbelt development consultation housing localplan community campaign planning council

The Beacon Action Group, a local campaign organization, is urging Walsall residents to take action and share their views on proposals to build thousands of new homes on the borough’s green belt land. The group has raised … Read More

Sunday, December 14, 2025 hereford bypass transport infrastructure herefordshire council housing traffic nationalhighways planning

Herefordshire’s vision for a major bypass around Hereford took a significant step forward as local councillors approved an essential component of the county’s Local Transport Plan. The plan focuses on establishing a new … Read More

Saturday, December 13, 2025 greetsgreen housing propertyprices westmidlands community inequality crime realestate sandwell localnews

A solitary England flag ripples gently from a lamppost above a quiet car park scattered with discarded nitrous oxide canisters. The calm backstreets of Greets Green on a crisp autumn afternoon reveal little sign of life … Read More

Sunday, December 7, 2025 suttoncoldfield greenbelt housing development planning conservation birmingham consultation landuse opposition

Proposals to develop large portions of Sutton Coldfield’s Green Belt—including plans for thousands of new homes and industrial sites—have been met with strong opposition, described by local leaders as an “attack on the town.” … Read More

Sunday, December 7, 2025 sainsburys streetly walsall supermarket planning greenbelt development carpark housing conservation

Sainsbury’s, a leading supermarket chain, has submitted a fresh proposal to build a convenience store on the car park adjoining the Farmer John’s pub on Aldridge Road, Streetly. This marks their second attempt after a similar … Read More

Friday, December 5, 2025 happiness skipton uk westmidlands rightmove housing community nature realestate wellbeing

Rightmove has unveiled its highly anticipated Happy at Home Index for 2025, revealing the happiest places to live across the UK based on a survey of over 19,500 residents. Topping the list is the charming market town of … Read More

Thursday, December 4, 2025 childpoverty birmingham government strategy benefits childcare education povertyreduction housing familysupport

The UK Government has launched its most ambitious Child Poverty Strategy yet, promising a host of measures designed to support families and children across Birmingham and the West Midlands. With an alarming 4.45 million … Read More

Thursday, December 4, 2025 suttoncoldfield greenbelt housing development planning birmingham localplan consultation greybelt homes

Birmingham City Council has identified over a dozen sites within Sutton Coldfield’s Green Belt for potential housing development, despite ongoing delays in building on previously released land at Langley. Eight years after … Read More

Thursday, December 4, 2025 suttoncoldfield greenbelt birmingham localplan housing industrialdevelopment urbanplanning environmentalimpact urbangrowth landuse

As Birmingham prepares its new Local Plan, which will guide the city’s development up to 2044, a significant proposal has emerged affecting Sutton Coldfield. Landowners have put forward 17 parcels of Green Belt land for … Read More

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 bearwood housing development parking community jazz redevelopment corks smethwick planning

The century-old Corks Social Club in Bearwood, Smethwick, a former working men’s club and community hub, is set to be transformed into new housing despite concerns over parking. Tusq Construction’s redevelopment plan, … Read More

Monday, December 1, 2025 walsall greenbelt wildlife development housing conservation biodiversity planning ecology inquiry

The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust has issued a strong call to refuse plans for a 115-home development on Walsall’s cherished green belt at Longwood Lane. The trust warns that approving the project would be a … Read More

Sunday, November 30, 2025 planning housing solihull appeal development residents council inspectorate architecture opposition

A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal to build a new four-bedroom detached house on a green space at the corner of Whitefields Crescent, Solihull, following strong opposition from local residents who argued it would … Read More