Buildings
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Persimmon expects higher build costs to pressure margins through 2027. The housebuilder estimates £40m–£50m of additional pressure over 18 months while it pursues procurement, specification, and operating savings.
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HG Construction has secured three more Gateway 2 project approvals. The latest decisions cover student housing in Hackney and Manchester and build-to-rent homes in Bristol, taking the contractor’s approved portfolio to 15 schemes.
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London housing starts have rebounded towards their pre-regulator quarterly average. Building Safety Regulator approval times have also fallen sharply, although 30,421 homes remain represented by live national new-build and conversion applications.
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Mears has lifted its housing services order book to £4.2bn. Contracts worth £1.438bn are being mobilised during 2026 as the group expands maintenance, compliance, planned works, and housing investment activity.
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Panattoni has submitted plans for a major Maidstone logistics park. The brownfield scheme would provide 1.04m sq ft of industrial space, with the first 250,000 sq ft brought forward in detail.
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UEA has opened procurement for major Sainsbury Centre refurbishment works. The £70m excluding VAT contract covers envelope replacement, extensive MEP renewal, photovoltaic panels and internal upgrades to the Grade II*-listed museum.
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Bluecastle has submitted plans for Birmingham’s 42 High Street tower. The 53-storey scheme would deliver 729 build-to-rent homes, commercial space and new public realm beside the future HS2 Curzon Street station.
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Siniat has introduced plasterboard made entirely from recycled gypsum waste. VIVACycle combines conventional board performance with a closed-loop material and takeback proposition.
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Bloor Homes has opened its new Midlands headquarters near Lichfield. Deeley Construction delivered the BREEAM Excellent office with solar generation, EV charging, and sustainable drainage.
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Sheffield Forgemasters has received the first new machine-shop overhead crane. The delivery begins installation of eleven units supporting ultra-heavy machining and equipment assembly.