Housing

Friday, February 20, 2026 planning extension castlebromwich solihull architecture neighbourhood development rejection housing appeal

Solihull planners have once again rejected a house extension proposal in Castle Bromwich following strong opposition from neighbours who believe the design is out of character with the area. The saga has stretched over a … Read More

Thursday, February 19, 2026 farmhouse housing development walsall affordable greenbelt planning demolition barnsfarm realestate

Plans have been submitted to Walsall Council proposing the demolition of a centuries-old post-medieval farmhouse at Barns Farm to make way for 81 new homes. Owl Partnerships Ltd is seeking approval to replace the existing … Read More

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 jewelleryquarter birmingham redevelopment housing heritage brownfield planning architecture conservation affordableworkspace

Ambitious plans to transform a prominent site in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter are set to move forward, offering much-needed new homes and commercial spaces. The redevelopment project targets land bordered by Hockley Hill, … Read More

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 housing greenbelt development affordable solihull planning community councillors support midlands

In a decisive 10-minute session, Solihull Council’s planning committee unanimously approved a new housing development in Hampton In Arden, reflecting overwhelming local endorsement. The proposal, submitted by BDW Trading Ltd … Read More

Monday, February 16, 2026 pensioners leasehold groundrent fees government reform housing leaseholders legislation property

Serena Laidlaw, a 72-year-old pensioner from near Brighton, feels “hoodwinked” as her leasehold fees have skyrocketed from £80 a month in 2014 to nearly £400 today. Having purchased her one-bedroom flat for … Read More

Sunday, February 15, 2026 birmingham property realestate housing postcodes prices market homeownership affordability sales

For many Brits, getting on the property ladder remains a key ambition, but the soaring costs of homeownership are making it increasingly difficult to achieve. While some parts of Birmingham have seen slight decreases in … Read More

Sunday, February 15, 2026 birmingham damp mould health housing council tenants publichealth awaabslaw condensation

Over the last five years, Birmingham City Council has received more than 50,000 complaints from tenants living in damp, mouldy, and condensation-affected homes. This equates to approximately 866 complaints for every 1,000 … Read More

Monday, February 9, 2026 hmo wolverhampton planning crime community housing spacestandards noise council heathtown

The City of Wolverhampton Council has refused an application to convert a home on Woden Road into a six-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO), citing concerns that the change would exacerbate crime and community disorder … Read More

Friday, February 6, 2026 nursery planning sandwell extensions parking residential safety noise housing traffic

Sandwell Council has refused an application to convert a detached three-bedroom house in Bell End, Rowley Regis, into a nursery for up to ten children. The applicant, Omar Kazimi, had proposed significant alterations, … Read More

Friday, February 6, 2026 handsworth hmo community campaign housing planning development objections residents victory

A proposal to convert a family home on Onibury Road in Handsworth into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been decisively rejected following widespread community opposition. The plan faced nearly 80 formal … Read More

Thursday, February 5, 2026 regeneration dudley brownfield redevelopment infrastructure housing derelict council urban development

Dudley Council has identified 24 rundown sites across the borough for redevelopment as part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate eyesores and rejuvenate local communities. Through the Stalled and Derelict Sites Programme, … Read More

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 fraud benefits dwp esa housing repayment mentalhealth sentencing cumbria justice

Louise Stuart, 60, from Maryport, Cumbria, has been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence after being caught defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) out of £85,000. She claimed Employment Support … Read More

Sunday, February 1, 2026 birmingham homelessness safety trident housing security smallheath nuisance landlord residents

For Pishtiwan Sofi, a father and home appliance worker, his Mount Pleasant flat in Small Heath, Birmingham, has become a source of dread rather than comfort. Since 2023, his quiet home has been overrun nightly by groups of … Read More

Friday, January 30, 2026 housing security intruders safety tenants homelessness community disturbance trident smallheath

Pishtiwan Sofi, a devoted father from Small Heath, has shared his ongoing distress over intruders who have repeatedly invaded the communal areas of his housing block on Mount Pleasant. The situation has escalated to the point … Read More

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 solihull housing planning localplan deadline government council development consultation policy

Solihull Council’s leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a comprehensive housing blueprint for the borough, yet uncertainty looms over meeting the government’s rigid December 31, 2026 deadline. Council … Read More

Monday, January 26, 2026 westmidlands construction skills training housing apprenticeships workforce education investment infrastructure

The West Midlands is ramping up investment in construction skills training to meet its ambitious housebuilding targets. Mayor Richard Parker emphasized the critical role of workforce development in achieving regional housing … Read More

Thursday, January 22, 2026 birmingham housing council investment decenthomes repairs tenants rent standards refurbishment

Birmingham Council has pledged that all of its homes will meet the national decent homes standard by 2032, responding to ongoing concerns about the condition of council properties. Currently governed by the Labour-run city … Read More

Thursday, January 22, 2026 birmingham housing council exemptaccommodation government regulation supportedhousing homelessness tenants legislation

Birmingham is grappling with a growing crisis in the supported exempt accommodation sector, with campaigners and councillors accusing the government of abandoning the city by delaying much-needed regulation reforms until … Read More

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 birmingham development housing apartments townhouses heritage regeneration brownfield planning leebankhouse

Plans to convert and extend the former factory at 55 Holloway Head, Birmingham city centre, are set to receive a positive recommendation for approval. The largely vacant building, known as Lee Bank House, is proposed to be … Read More

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 balsallcommon housing development planning solihull community infrastructure approval controversy homes

A contentious housing development proposal in Balsall Common has officially cleared its final planning stage, moving forward despite vocal opposition from local residents. The plan, submitted by Elan Homes Holdings Ltd in … Read More

Sunday, January 18, 2026 willenhall falconinn hmo planning housing redevelopment community approval conversion property

Planning permission has been granted to convert the former Falcon Inn pub on Gomer Street West, Willenhall, into a 10-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). The decision was finalized at the planning committee meeting on … Read More

Sunday, January 18, 2026 stafford houseprices midlands propertymarket birmingham staffordshire realestate pricegrowth housing mortgages

Stafford, a bustling town in the Midlands just under an hour’s drive from Birmingham, experienced one of the sharpest house price increases in the country last year. According to data from Lloyds Bank, average property values … Read More

Friday, January 16, 2026 knowle greenbelt richborough housing solihull development community planning consultation infrastructure

Richborough has revealed ambitious plans to build 300 new homes on green belt land at Golden End Farm, located north of Kenilworth Road on the outskirts of Knowle, Solihull. The site was previously categorized as an ‘amber’ … Read More

Thursday, January 15, 2026 dwp cwp coldweather payments welfare uk housing winter postcodes support

The first Cold Weather Payments of the season are being deposited into the bank accounts of over 1.5 million households across the UK. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is distributing £25 or £50 payments as part of … Read More