Housing

Saturday, November 29, 2025 rent westmidlands solihull birmingham housing inflation ons rentalprices tenants costofliving

Rent prices across the West Midlands are climbing rapidly, with some areas now seeing average rents exceed £1,000 per month, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Leading the surge is … Read More

Saturday, November 29, 2025 dispute assault seniors housing anti-social walsall police investigation community conflict

Newmore Gardens, an over-55s residential complex in Walsall, has become the epicentre of a bitter dispute between neighbours that has persisted for over two years. The situation dramatically escalated in recent months, with … Read More

Thursday, November 27, 2025 dudley postoffice demolition listedbuilding heritage decay council revitalization housing urbandecay

A historic Grade II listed building in Dudley town centre, once home to the town’s general post office, is at risk of demolition due to prolonged neglect, according to former Dudley mayor and councillor David Stanley. Located … Read More

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 dudley rents socialhousing chancellor reeves budget convergence council tenants housing

Dudley Council tenants face a rent increase of £4.76 per week next year, with the possibility of additional rises pending government decisions. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to confirm rent convergence in her upcoming … Read More

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 housing homelessness westmidlands temporary children accommodation socialhousing government mayor crisis

Recent government data has revealed a troubling increase in the number of families living in temporary accommodation in the West Midlands. Between April 1 and June 30 this year, 8,820 households were reported to be in … Read More

Monday, November 24, 2025 wednesbury friarpark pharmacy robotics healthcare medicalcentre housing sandwell expansion technology

Sandwell Council has approved an exciting upgrade for Wednesbury’s Village Medical Centre, located on Crankhall Lane in Friar Park. The development includes a two-storey extension featuring one of the UK’s first robotic … Read More

Monday, November 24, 2025 hmos birmingham planning housing council community exemptaccommodation tenants antisocialbehaviour cotteridge

The fate of a proposal to convert a shop into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 1726-1728 Pershore Road, Cotteridge, south Birmingham, remains unresolved as the planning committee opts to defer its decision. … Read More

Sunday, November 23, 2025 wildlife planning infrastructure conservation government environment development housing legislation biodiversity

Worcester MP Tom Collins is under scrutiny following his vote against proposed amendments aimed at strengthening wildlife protections in the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Green councillors argue that these … Read More

Sunday, November 23, 2025 counciltax emptyhomes worcester housing levellingup localgovernment property taxpolicy housingsupply regeneration

Worcester City Council is considering a new measure to encourage the return of long-term empty properties to the housing market by imposing a council tax surcharge. Under legislation updated by the Levelling Up and … Read More

Friday, November 21, 2025 labour counciltax taxreform publicfunding localgovernment propertyvaluation inequality ukpolitics fiscalpolicy housing

The Labour Party is preparing to overhaul the council tax system by considering a hike of up to 10% across all tax bands, potentially affecting millions of households nationwide. Currently, a 5% cap on council tax increases … Read More

Thursday, November 20, 2025 affordability housing westmidlands newcastle-under-lyme property zoopla ukhousing realestate homebuying prices

A surprising contender has emerged as the most affordable town in the West Midlands for 2025, outshining housing markets in Birmingham and the Black Country. Newcastle-under-Lyme stands out, with average property prices … Read More

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 walsall housing energy heatnetwork bills tenants prices regulation inflation utilities

Residents of 16 tower blocks managed by Walsall Housing Group (WHG) are expressing anger and frustration after their energy bills suddenly increased up to four times overnight. The new charges, which took effect on October 1, … Read More

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 solihull dorridge planning architecture housing development property council construction neighborhood

A luxury five-bedroom house in Dorridge, Solihull, has been approved by planners, despite objections from local residents and expressed disappointment from planning officials. The proposal involves replacing an existing … Read More

Thursday, November 13, 2025 natwest mortgages sharedownership borrowing homeownership newbuilds interestonly loantovalue affordability housing

NatWest has unveiled significant changes designed to help “as many customers as possible” step onto the property ladder. The prominent high street bank, with branches including those in Birmingham, has introduced … Read More

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 walsall greenbelt housing development planning consultation aldridge bloxwich localplan regeneration

Walsall Council is urging residents to participate in a consultation on a crucial draft local plan that will shape the borough’s housing future. This plan responds to government mandates requiring councils to meet set housing … Read More

Monday, November 10, 2025 midlands westmidlands deprivation poverty affluence lichfield staffordshire birmingham housing wealth

Several parts of the West Midlands have been identified as among the most affluent places in the country, where poverty is nearly non-existent. These upmarket towns and villages offer residents a comfortable lifestyle, free … Read More

Monday, November 10, 2025 walsall housing greenbelt greybelt development affordable community planning realestate urbanexpansion

Outline planning permission has been submitted to build up to 200 homes on a green belt site in Walsall. Developer St Philips aims to create a new housing estate off Chester Road in Streetly, adjacent to Planters Pacific … Read More

Saturday, November 8, 2025 birmingham market traders heritage demolition regeneration housing council transition development

Step inside Birmingham’s Bull Ring Indoor Market, and you’re immersing yourself in nearly 900 years of the city’s rich trading heritage. Since 1166, this vibrant marketplace has been woven into the fabric of Birmingham’s … Read More

Friday, November 7, 2025 jersey parking developments housing sthelier policy affordable environment construction assembly

The Jersey Assembly has passed a new regulation requiring all new residential developments to include designated car parking spaces, a move set to impact thousands of drivers and raise concerns over housing affordability and … Read More

Friday, November 7, 2025 walsall greenbelt housing development conservation neighbourhood community planning consultation realestate

A significant development proposal aims to introduce a new neighbourhood of 850 homes on green belt land in Walsall. Developer IM Land, in partnership with Walton Homes, has put forward plans for a site located off Queslett … Read More

Friday, November 7, 2025 westmidlands housing investment affordablehomes socialhousing regeneration councilhomes localgovernment homesengland construction

The West Midlands is set to undergo a major housing transformation with a £1.7 billion investment from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This substantial funding will support the construction of … Read More

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 westmidlands housing development planning consultation sds infrastructure economicgrowth brownfield communities

Residents across the West Midlands are invited to shape a transformative plan that will determine where thousands of new homes and employment sites will be built over the coming decades. A six-week public consultation has … Read More

Sunday, November 2, 2025 inheritance taxation budget hmrc wealth chancellor housing government fiscal middleclass

UK households are facing what experts are calling an “unwelcome hat-trick” of inheritance tax (IHT) changes in the upcoming Labour government’s Autumn Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the Budget on November 26, … Read More